Section 1
Pre-Production
Pre-production is the planning and preparation phase that takes place before a single frame is shot. It is during this phase that the creative vision is translated into a practical plan — scripts are developed, budgets are set, locations are scouted, cast and crew are hired, and every logistical detail is worked out in advance. The quality of the pre-production process directly determines the efficiency and success of the production and post-production phases that follow. A well-prepared production is one that has anticipated its challenges and built the resources and contingencies to overcome them.
Pre-production is the planning and preparation phase that takes place before a single frame is shot. It is during this phase that the creative vision is translated into a practical plan — scripts are developed, budgets are set, locations are scouted, cast and crew are hired, and every logistical detail is worked out in advance. The quality of the pre-production process directly determines the efficiency and success of the production and post-production phases that follow. A well-prepared production is one that has anticipated its challenges and built the resources and contingencies to overcome them. The terms in this section cover the key roles, documents, and concepts that define the pre-production phase, from the initial creative brief and storyboard to the call sheet and the final shot list.
Animatic
An Animatic is a sequence of storyboard images edited together in time, often with a rough audio track (scratch dialogue, music, or sound effects), to...
Art Director
The Art Director is a senior member of the art department who works under the Production Designer to execute the visual design of the film's physical ...
Beat Sheet
A Beat Sheet is a structural outline of a screenplay or story that lists the key dramatic beats — the significant moments, turns, and emotional shifts...
Brief (Creative Brief)
A Creative Brief is a short document that outlines the key information and requirements for a creative project. It serves as the foundation for all cr...
Casting Director
The Casting Director is the professional responsible for finding and recommending actors for the roles in a film, television show, or commercial. Work...
Call Sheet
The Call Sheet is the official daily schedule document for a film or video production. Prepared by the Second Assistant Director and approved by the F...
Location Scout
A Location Scout is the process of finding and evaluating potential filming locations that match the requirements of the script. The Location Scout (o...
Location Manager
The Location Manager is the production professional responsible for finding, securing, and managing all the filming locations used in a production. Th...
Line Producer
The Line Producer is the production professional responsible for the day-to-day management of the production budget and the physical logistics of the ...
Pre-Production
Pre-Production is the planning and preparation phase of a film or video project that takes place before filming begins. It encompasses a wide range of...
Production Designer
The Production Designer is the head of the art department and is responsible for the overall visual design of the film's physical world — the sets, lo...
Storyboard
A Storyboard is a graphic organizer in the form of illustrations or images displayed in sequence, used to pre-visualize a motion picture, animation, o...
Script Supervisor
The Script Supervisor (sometimes called the "continuity supervisor") is responsible for maintaining the continuity of the production — ensuring that t...
Second Unit
A Second Unit is a separate, smaller film crew that operates simultaneously with the main unit (or separately at a different time or location) to capt...