---
name: video-production
description: Professional video production from planning to delivery. Use when creating video content, editing workflows, motion graphics, or optimizing video for different platforms.
---

# Video Production

Comprehensive guide for professional video production across all platforms.

## Production Phases

### The 3 Phases

| Phase | Activities | Deliverables |
|-------|------------|--------------|
| **Pre-Production** | Planning, scripting, storyboarding | Script, shot list, schedule |
| **Production** | Filming, recording | Raw footage, audio |
| **Post-Production** | Editing, VFX, color, sound | Final deliverable |

---

## Pre-Production

### Script Format

```
SCENE 1 - INT. OFFICE - DAY

Wide shot of open office space. ALEX (30s) sits at desk.

ALEX
(looking at screen)
This is where the magic happens.

CUT TO: Close-up of computer screen showing code.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
In today's tutorial, we'll cover...
```

### Shot List Template

| # | Scene | Shot Type | Description | Duration | Notes |
|---|-------|-----------|-------------|----------|-------|
| 1 | Intro | Wide | Office establishing | 3s | Natural lighting |
| 2 | Intro | Close-up | Subject face | 5s | Eye contact |
| 3 | Demo | Screen capture | Code editor | 30s | 1080p60 |

### Storyboard Elements

```
┌─────────────────────────┐
│    [Rough sketch]       │
│                         │
│    ┌───┐               │
│    │ O │  ←Subject      │
│    └─┬─┘               │
│      │                  │
├─────────────────────────┤
│ Shot: Medium close-up   │
│ Action: Subject speaks  │
│ Audio: Dialogue + music │
│ Duration: 5 seconds     │
│ Notes: Eye-level angle  │
└─────────────────────────┘
```

---

## Camera Fundamentals

### Shot Types

```
FRAMING:
┌─────────────┐     ┌─────────────┐     ┌─────────────┐
│             │     │    ┌───┐    │     │   ┌─────┐   │
│   ┌───┐     │     │    │ O │    │     │   │  O  │   │
│   │ O │     │     │    └─┬─┘    │     │   │  │  │   │
│   └─┬─┘     │     │     ─┼─     │     │   └──┬──┘   │
│   ──┼──     │     │      │      │     │      │      │
│    /│\      │     │     / \     │     └─────────────┘
│   / │ \     │     │    /   \    │
│  /  │  \    │     └─────────────┘     CLOSE-UP (CU)
│ /   │   \   │
└─────────────┘     MEDIUM (MS)
WIDE/FULL (WS)

EXTREME CLOSE-UP (ECU): Eyes, details only
MEDIUM CLOSE-UP (MCU): Head and shoulders
OVER-THE-SHOULDER (OTS): Person from behind another
TWO-SHOT: Two subjects in frame
```

### Camera Movements

| Movement | Description | Effect |
|----------|-------------|--------|
| **Pan** | Horizontal rotation | Reveal, follow action |
| **Tilt** | Vertical rotation | Reveal height, power |
| **Dolly** | Move toward/away | Intimacy, reveal |
| **Truck** | Move left/right | Follow alongside |
| **Crane** | Vertical elevation | Epic, establishing |
| **Zoom** | Focal length change | Focus attention |
| **Handheld** | Natural movement | Documentary feel |
| **Steadicam** | Smooth handheld | Following shots |

### The Exposure Triangle

```
                    EXPOSURE
                       │
        ┌──────────────┼──────────────┐
        │              │              │
        ▼              ▼              ▼
   ┌─────────┐   ┌─────────┐   ┌─────────┐
   │  ISO    │   │Aperture │   │ Shutter │
   │ 100-12800│   │ f/1.4-22│   │ 1/30-   │
   │         │   │         │   │  1/8000 │
   └────┬────┘   └────┬────┘   └────┬────┘
        │             │             │
   Sensitivity   Depth of      Motion
   (noise)       Field         blur
```

### Video Settings

| Setting | Standard | Notes |
|---------|----------|-------|
| **Resolution** | 1080p, 4K | Match delivery target |
| **Frame Rate** | 24, 30, 60 fps | 24=film, 30=TV, 60=smooth |
| **Shutter Speed** | 1/2x frame rate | 180° rule (1/48 for 24fps) |
| **ISO** | As low as possible | Higher = more noise |
| **Bit Rate** | 50-400 Mbps | Higher = better quality |
| **Codec** | H.264, H.265, ProRes | ProRes for editing |

---

## Lighting

### Three-Point Lighting

```
              KEY LIGHT
                 │
                 │  (45° angle)
                 │
                 ▼
    ┌────────────────────────┐
    │                        │
FILL │          👤          │ BACK LIGHT
LIGHT│       Subject         │ (rim/hair)
    │                        │
    └────────────────────────┘
                 │
                 │
              CAMERA
```

| Light | Purpose | Intensity |
|-------|---------|-----------|
| **Key** | Main illumination | 100% reference |
| **Fill** | Soften shadows | 50-75% of key |
| **Back** | Separation from BG | Variable |

### Lighting Styles

| Style | Key:Fill Ratio | Mood |
|-------|----------------|------|
| **High key** | 1:1 to 2:1 | Bright, optimistic |
| **Medium** | 3:1 to 4:1 | Natural, neutral |
| **Low key** | 8:1+ | Dramatic, moody |

### Color Temperature

```
Kelvin Scale:
1800K  ████████░░░░░░░░  Candlelight (warm)
2700K  ██████████░░░░░░  Tungsten bulb
3200K  ███████████░░░░░  Halogen
4000K  ████████████░░░░  Moonlight
5600K  ██████████████░░  Daylight (neutral)
6500K  ███████████████░  Overcast
10000K ████████████████  Blue sky (cool)
```

---

## Audio

### Recording Guidelines

| Element | Target Level | Notes |
|---------|--------------|-------|
| **Dialogue** | -12 to -6 dB | Peak at -6 dB max |
| **Music** | -18 to -12 dB | Under dialogue |
| **SFX** | Variable | Support the story |
| **Noise floor** | Below -60 dB | Record room tone |

### Microphone Types

| Type | Best For | Pattern |
|------|----------|---------|
| **Lavalier** | Interviews, dialogue | Omnidirectional |
| **Shotgun** | Film, documentary | Super-cardioid |
| **Condenser** | Voiceover, studio | Cardioid |
| **Dynamic** | Loud sources | Cardioid |

### Audio Checklist

- [ ] Record room tone (30 seconds minimum)
- [ ] Check levels before recording
- [ ] Monitor with headphones
- [ ] Backup audio recording
- [ ] Sync audio/video with clap

---

## Post-Production

### Editing Workflow

```
1. INGEST
   └─→ Import footage, create proxies if needed

2. ORGANIZE
   └─→ Label clips, create bins/folders, log selects

3. ROUGH CUT
   └─→ Assemble story structure, timing

4. FINE CUT
   └─→ Tighten edits, pacing refinement

5. PICTURE LOCK
   └─→ No more timeline changes

6. COLOR
   └─→ Correction, grading, look development

7. AUDIO MIX
   └─→ Levels, EQ, compression, spatial

8. TITLES/GFX
   └─→ Lower thirds, motion graphics

9. EXPORT
   └─→ Final render, quality check
```

### Editing Software

| Software | Best For | Platform |
|----------|----------|----------|
| **DaVinci Resolve** | Color grading, full edit | All (Free tier) |
| **Adobe Premiere** | Industry standard | All |
| **Final Cut Pro** | Mac ecosystem | macOS |
| **Avid Media Composer** | Broadcast, film | All |
| **iMovie** | Beginners | macOS/iOS |
| **CapCut** | Social media | Mobile/Desktop |

### Essential Cuts

| Cut | Description | Use |
|-----|-------------|-----|
| **Hard cut** | Instant transition | Standard, dialogue |
| **J-cut** | Audio leads video | Natural dialogue flow |
| **L-cut** | Video leads audio | Reaction shots |
| **Jump cut** | Same angle, time skip | Pacing, style |
| **Match cut** | Visual similarity | Transitions, meaning |
| **Cutaway** | Insert shot | Context, time compression |

---

## Color

### Color Workflow

```
1. CORRECTION (Primary)
   - Fix exposure, white balance
   - Balance shots in scene
   - Create neutral baseline

2. MATCHING
   - Match shots within scenes
   - Consistent skin tones
   - Scene-to-scene continuity

3. GRADING (Secondary)
   - Creative look development
   - Selective adjustments
   - Style application
```

### Color Scopes

| Scope | Shows | Use |
|-------|-------|-----|
| **Waveform** | Luminance levels | Exposure, contrast |
| **Vectorscope** | Hue, saturation | Skin tones, color cast |
| **Histogram** | Tonal distribution | Clipping, balance |
| **Parade** | RGB channels separate | Color balance |

### LUTs (Look-Up Tables)

```
Types:
- Technical LUT: Log to Rec.709 conversion
- Creative LUT: Stylistic look (film emulation)
- Calibration LUT: Monitor/display correction

Application Order:
1. Input LUT (log conversion)
2. Primary correction
3. Secondary grading
4. Creative LUT
5. Output LUT (delivery spec)
```

---

## Motion Graphics

### Animation Principles

| Principle | Application |
|-----------|-------------|
| **Easing** | Smooth starts/stops (ease in/out) |
| **Anticipation** | Setup before action |
| **Follow-through** | Motion continues after stop |
| **Secondary action** | Supporting movements |
| **Timing** | Speed conveys weight/mood |
| **Staging** | Clear presentation |

### Common Motion Patterns

```css
/* Easing functions */
ease-in:      slow → fast
ease-out:     fast → slow
ease-in-out:  slow → fast → slow
linear:       constant speed

/* Standard durations */
Quick:   150-200ms (micro-interactions)
Normal:  300-400ms (standard transitions)
Slow:    500-800ms (emphasis, reveals)
```

### Title Safe Zones

```
┌────────────────────────────────┐
│  ┌──────────────────────────┐  │
│  │  ┌────────────────────┐  │  │
│  │  │                    │  │  │
│  │  │    TITLE SAFE      │  │  │
│  │  │       (80%)        │  │  │
│  │  │                    │  │  │
│  │  └────────────────────┘  │  │
│  │       ACTION SAFE        │  │
│  │          (90%)           │  │
│  └──────────────────────────┘  │
│         FULL FRAME (100%)      │
└────────────────────────────────┘
```

---

## Export & Delivery

### Platform Specifications

| Platform | Resolution | Frame Rate | Format |
|----------|------------|------------|--------|
| **YouTube** | 1080p/4K | 24-60 fps | H.264/H.265 |
| **Instagram Feed** | 1080×1080 | 30 fps | H.264 |
| **Instagram Reels** | 1080×1920 | 30 fps | H.264 |
| **TikTok** | 1080×1920 | 30 fps | H.264 |
| **Twitter** | 1280×720+ | 30-60 fps | H.264 |
| **LinkedIn** | 1920×1080 | 30 fps | H.264 |
| **Broadcast** | 1080i/p | 29.97/25 fps | ProRes/DNxHD |

### Export Settings (H.264)

```
Web Delivery:
- Codec: H.264
- Container: MP4
- Bitrate: 10-20 Mbps (1080p), 35-68 Mbps (4K)
- Audio: AAC, 320 kbps
- Sample rate: 48 kHz

Archive/Master:
- Codec: ProRes 422 or DNxHD
- Container: MOV
- Audio: Uncompressed PCM
```

---

## Best Practices

### DO:
- Plan before you shoot
- Record more footage than needed
- Use manual focus when possible
- Monitor audio with headphones
- Shoot for the edit
- Keep organized project files
- Back up everything (3-2-1 rule)
- Color correct before grading

### DON'T:
- Overuse transitions
- Rely on "fix it in post"
- Forget b-roll coverage
- Ignore audio quality
- Over-sharpen in post
- Export at wrong aspect ratio
- Skip the rough cut phase
- Delete original footage

---

## Quality Checklist

### Pre-Export
- [ ] Timeline resolution matches delivery spec
- [ ] No black frames or gaps
- [ ] Audio levels normalized (-14 LUFS for streaming)
- [ ] All graphics within safe zones
- [ ] Color consistent across scenes
- [ ] Exports without errors

### Final Review
- [ ] Watch full export beginning to end
- [ ] Check on multiple devices/screens
- [ ] Verify audio sync throughout
- [ ] Confirm captions/subtitles accuracy
- [ ] File size appropriate for platform