Tips for Smoother Shoots! Key Points for Pre-Production Preparation

Even when people hear “pre-shoot preparation,” many may not know exactly what needs to be done.

Before filming, you should plan and prepare everything in advance, including deciding what kind of video you want to create, developing the story and storyboards, location scouting, applying for filming permits, preparing equipment, scheduling, and in some cases, casting.

When it comes to video production, people often focus on filming and editing, but pre-production preparation has a major impact on the overall quality of the final work.

Among all aspects of preparation, location scouting is especially important.

Location scouting, often shortened to “loc-hunting” or “recce,” refers to visiting and searching for filming locations in advance.

By visiting the actual filming location and conducting test shoots, you can develop a much clearer image of how the final shoot will look. It also allows you to check whether the location has the equipment or facilities needed for filming, helping you identify anything that must be prepared beforehand.

One of the most important things to check during a location scout is the natural sunlight at the location. Outdoors, factors such as the angle of the sunlight and the amount of light filtering through trees can dramatically change the impression of the footage, even when filming the same subject. This is especially important for indoor shoots, since the way sunlight enters a building—and the time it does so—varies depending on the facility. You need to determine the best time of day for each scene in advance.

To conduct an effective location scout, there are two important things you should prepare beforehand: creating storyboards and obtaining permission to film at the location. Next, we’ll explain these two points in more detail.

A storyboard is essentially a blueprint for filming, created by illustrating or using photos to represent the flow of the video you plan to produce. By deciding the order of scenes and the composition of each shot, you can organize and clarify the ideas in your head. It is also extremely important when filming with actors, as it helps share the visual image and direction with everyone involved.

In addition to storyboards, there is also something called a “video storyboard” (or animatic), which designs the flow of the video in a more detailed animated format. By creating animations that show how the camera moves within each scene and how long each cut should last, you can share a much more concrete vision of the final video.

Depending on the filming location or facility, you may need permission from local authorities, property managers, or even the police. Before deciding on a filming location, research the venue in advance through its website or other available information, and contact the relevant authority or police department if necessary. Filming without permission or prior notice in locations where approval is required can lead to conflicts with other filmmakers or administrators.

This is especially important when producing videos as a company or organization. Obtaining proper permission beforehand helps prevent legal issues that could arise after the footage has already been published.

When filming in locations managed by the government or public organizations—such as beaches or rivers—you should contact the local authority responsible for managing the area. Likewise, filming in urban facilities or commercial spaces may also require approval, so it is recommended to confirm with the facility manager in advance.

In most cases, you can obtain permission by contacting the appropriate organization and submitting an application form. Depending on the location, you may need to contact multiple departments and submit several applications, and it can sometimes take several weeks for approval to be granted. In addition, filming on public roads usually requires contacting both the road administrator and the local police department.

What did you think? In this article, we focused especially on location scouting as part of pre-shoot preparation. Creating storyboards, obtaining filming permits, and conducting test shoots during location scouting may seem time-consuming and difficult to some people. However, location scouting is extremely important for ensuring that the actual filming process runs smoothly.

If you plan to create videos yourself, we hope you’ll use these tips as a helpful reference.