Corporate Video Pre-Production: The Complete Planning Checklist

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Pre-production is where great corporate videos are won or lost. Rush this phase and you'll spend twice as long fixing problems on set. Get it right and your shoot day runs like clockwork.

After producing hundreds of corporate videos across London, we've distilled our planning process into a practical checklist that covers every stage from initial brief to the morning of the shoot. Whether you're commissioning your first corporate video or managing an in-house production, this guide will help you avoid the mistakes that derail projects and inflate budgets.

Why Pre-Production Makes or Breaks Your Video

The temptation is to jump straight into filming. But for every hour spent in pre-production, you'll save three on set and in the edit suite. Here's why:

• Budget control — Most cost overruns stem from poor planning, not production issues. Unclear briefs lead to reshoots. Missing permissions cause delays. Unplanned locations add travel costs.
• Creative quality — When logistics are sorted, your crew can focus on capturing great footage rather than solving problems on the day.
• Stakeholder alignment — Pre-production forces decisions upfront. This means fewer surprises in the edit and fewer revision rounds.
• Timeline certainty — A thorough plan gives you realistic milestones so everyone knows what to expect and when.

Phase 1: The Creative Brief

Every successful production starts with a solid brief. This is the document that aligns your team, your stakeholders, and your production company around a shared vision.

Your brief should answer these questions:

• Objective — What should viewers do after watching? (Buy, enquire, sign up, understand?)
• Audience — Who exactly are you speaking to? Age, role, industry, pain points.
• Key messages — What are the 2-3 things viewers must take away?
• Tone and style — Corporate and formal? Warm and personal? Energetic and fast-paced?
• Distribution — Where will the video live? Website, social media, presentations, TV?
• Budget range — Even a rough range helps scope the production appropriately.
• Timeline — When do you need the final video? Work backwards from there.

If you haven't written a production brief before, our complete video production brief guide walks you through each section with a downloadable template.

Phase 2: Scripting and Storyboarding

With the brief approved, it's time to turn your vision into a concrete plan for the shoot.

Script Types

Not every video needs a word-for-word script. Choose the right format for your content:

• Full script — Every word written out. Best for voice-overs, explainer videos, and presenters reading from autocue.
• Outline script — Key points and interview questions. Best for testimonials, behind-the-scenes, and documentary-style content.
• Shot list — Scene-by-scene description of what needs to be captured. Essential for all productions, even unscripted ones.

Storyboarding

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For complex productions, storyboards translate your script into visual frames. They don't need to be artistic — stick figures work fine. What matters is that everyone understands:

• Camera angle and framing for each shot
• Movement (pans, dollies, drone shots)
• On-screen text or graphics
• Transitions between scenes

Review checkpoint

Get script and storyboard sign-off from all stakeholders before proceeding. Changes at this stage cost nothing. Changes on set cost everything.

Phase 3: Location Scouting and Logistics

The Recce

A location recce (reconnaissance visit) is non-negotiable for professional production. During the visit, assess:

• Lighting — Natural light direction at the planned shoot time. Window positions. Artificial lighting needs.
• Sound — Background noise levels. HVAC systems. Traffic. Construction.
• Power — Socket locations and capacity for lighting and equipment.
• Space — Room for cameras, lights, and crew movement. Background options.
• Access — Loading bay for equipment. Lift access. Parking for production vehicles.

London-Specific Considerations

Filming in London adds unique planning requirements:

• Permits — Public spaces often require filming permits from the local council. Apply at least 2-3 weeks in advance.
• Congestion charge — Factor this into transport costs for equipment vehicles entering the zone.
• Rush hour — Schedule load-in outside peak hours (avoid 7:30-9:30 AM and 4:30-7:00 PM).
• Noise — Central London locations will have traffic, sirens, and construction. Plan for sound control or choose quieter times.
• Weather backup — For any exterior shots, have an indoor alternative ready. British weather is unpredictable.

Phase 4: Casting and Talent

Who Appears On Camera?

Decide early who will feature in your video:

• Company employees — Authentic but may need coaching. Allow extra time on shoot day for nerves.
• Professional presenters — Polished delivery, can read from autocue. Budget £500-£2,000+ per day.
• Real customers — Great for testimonials. Coordinate schedules well in advance.
• Actors — For scripted scenarios. Source through casting agencies.

Talent Preparation

Whoever is on camera, prepare them:

• Send scripts or talking points at least a week in advance
• Brief them on wardrobe (avoid thin stripes, small patterns, and all-white or all-black)
• Explain the process so they know what to expect on the day
• Schedule a brief rehearsal or pre-interview call

Phase 5: Equipment and Crew Planning

The right equipment and crew depend on your production scale. A typical corporate video in London requires:

Core Crew

• Director/Producer — Manages the creative vision and schedule
• Camera operator — Operates the primary camera
• Sound recordist — Captures clean audio (critical for interviews)
• Lighting technician — Sets up and manages lighting

Additional Crew (Larger Productions)

• Second camera operator for multi-angle coverage
• Drone pilot (CAA licensed) for aerial shots
• Hair and makeup artist for on-camera talent
• Production assistant for logistics

Equipment Checklist

• Cinema cameras (typically 2 for corporate work)
• Lens kit (wide, standard, telephoto)
• Professional lighting kit (LED panels, softboxes)
• Wireless lapel microphones + boom mic
• Tripods, sliders, or gimbal stabilisers
• Monitors for director and client review
• Batteries, memory cards, and backups

Working with a professional video production company means you don't need to source any of this yourself — it's all included in the production package.

Phase 6: Final Pre-Production Checklist

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Use this checklist in the final week before your shoot:

Creative

• Script/talking points finalised and approved
• Shot list complete with all scenes covered
• Storyboard reviewed by stakeholders
• Brand guidelines shared with production team

Logistics

• Location confirmed and booked
• Filming permits secured (if required)
• Parking and load-in arrangements confirmed
• Power supply tested at location
• Catering arranged for crew and talent

Talent

• All on-camera participants confirmed and briefed
• Wardrobe guidance sent
• Call times communicated (include buffer for setup)
• Consent/release forms prepared

Technical

• Equipment list finalised
• All kit tested and charged
• Backup equipment available
• Data storage verified (enough cards/drives)

Administrative

• Insurance certificates ready (public liability, equipment)
• Risk assessment completed for location
• Emergency contacts list for all crew and talent
• Weather forecast checked (outdoor shoots)
• Post-production schedule agreed with editor

Common Pre-Production Mistakes to Avoid

Skipping the recce — Turning up on shoot day to discover the room has fluorescent lighting, noisy air conditioning, and no power sockets near the interview position. Always visit first.

Vague briefs — "We want something like Apple" is not a brief. Be specific about objectives, audience, and messages. The more detail you provide upfront, the better the result.

Not allowing enough time — Rushing pre-production to hit a deadline almost always backfires. You'll spend more time and money fixing problems than you saved by cutting corners.

Ignoring audio — Beautiful footage with poor audio is unwatchable. Ensure your production plan includes proper sound recording, especially for interviews and dialogue.

Too many stakeholders in the edit — Agree on who has final sign-off before production starts. Conflicting feedback from six people turns a two-week edit into two months. For more on managing corporate video production costs in London, planning upfront is the single biggest factor.

Forgetting distribution formats — A video made for cinema screen looks wrong on Instagram. Know your delivery platforms before scripting begins. If you're exploring different types of corporate videos, each format has different production requirements.

When to Bring in a Professional Production Company

You can handle simple pre-production internally, but consider bringing in professionals when:

• You need broadcast or cinema-quality output
• The video involves multiple locations or complex logistics
• You don't have in-house production experience
• The project is high-stakes (investor presentations, product launches, recruitment campaigns)
• You need drone footage, advanced lighting, or specialist equipment
• You're producing a series (such as training video production or onboarding content)

A good production company doesn't just bring cameras — they bring production management expertise that makes the entire process smoother and the final product stronger.

Ready to start planning your next corporate video? Get in touch with our London team for a free consultation. We'll help you build a pre-production plan that sets your project up for success.

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Need help with your video production brief? Download our free video production brief template to get started.