preproduction
Script and storyboard
Preproduction is the planning phase before actual production begins—most commonly in film, television, or music.
For a movie, preproduction includes writing, casting, location scouting, budgeting, and scheduling: We're still in preproduction, so filming won't start until spring.
The term applies similarly to manufacturing or any project requiring preparatory work before the main effort begins.
Composing film or TV text
- storyboardingSequencing shots through drawings
- castingShaping through liquid form
- budgetingAllocating funds systematically
- schedulingAssigning times to events
auditions · rehearsals · financing · greenlighting · permits · scouting · read-through
Composing film or TV text
- castingShaping through liquid form
- auditionsPerformance tests for casting
- rehearsalsPreparatory performance sessions
- blockingImpeding forward progress
read-through · workshop · director · playwright · props · choreography · staging · score
Allocating funds systematically
- schedulingAssigning times to events
- logisticsCoordination of complex activities
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- feasibilityPotential for success
financing · procurement · strategizing · timelining · breakdown · scouting · brainstorming · outlining
Making preliminary models
- storyboardingSequencing shots through drawings
- worldbuildingConstructing imaginary universes for fiction
- mechanicsScience of motion
- wireframesSimplified visual schematics
playtesting · iteration · proof-of-concept · milestone · scope
Illustrated production blueprints
- set-designCreating theatrical environments
- aestheticConcerning beauty or art
- sketchesRough, quick drawings
- animaticsPreliminary motion sequences
layout · illustration · modeling · texture · graphics · lookbook
scriptwriting
Composing film or TV text
- storyboardingSequencing shots through drawings
- castingShaping through liquid form
- budgetingAllocating funds systematically
scheduling · auditions · rehearsals · financing · greenlighting · permits · scouting · read-through
scriptwriting
Composing film or TV text
- castingShaping through liquid form
- auditionsPerformance tests for casting
- rehearsalsPreparatory performance sessions
blocking · read-through · workshop · director · playwright · props · choreography · staging · score · libretto
budgeting
Allocating funds systematically
- schedulingAssigning times to events
- logisticsCoordination of complex activities
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
feasibility · financing · procurement · strategizing · timelining · breakdown · scouting · brainstorming · outlining · research
prototyping
Making preliminary models
- storyboardingSequencing shots through drawings
- worldbuildingConstructing imaginary universes for fiction
- mechanicsScience of motion
wireframes · playtesting · iteration · proof-of-concept · milestone · scope
storyboards
Illustrated production blueprints
- set-designCreating theatrical environments
- aestheticConcerning beauty or art
- sketchesRough, quick drawings
animatics · layout · illustration · modeling · texture · graphics · lookbook
preproductionpostproduction
Film finishing phase
post-production · post · production · principal photography · filming