5 Stages of Video Production: A Realistic Timeline

Video marketing has officially become the non-negotiable centerpiece of digital strategy. Over 90% of businesses now say video delivers positive ROI, up from just 33% in 2015. From product demos to Connected TV ads, brands that invest in purpose-built video are seeing higher engagement and stronger performance across every channel.

Still, even with accessible video production tools, creating a great video can feel daunting. However, that process is made much easier with a full understanding of the stages of video production.

Phase 1: Planning & Development

Video production planning is critical. You wouldn’t start a customer project without having a meeting first to understand their needs and create a plan of action, and you shouldn’t shoot a video without a plan either. The first step in the stages of video production is to set your goals. Before you set your budget, brainstorm ideas, and start storyboarding, you need to determine what you want to accomplish with your video. 

You might be interested in building a rapport with your existing customers, or you might be more concerned with finding more leads by creating engaging videos for social media. Once you’ve set your goals, you can start coming up with video marketing ideas to achieve them.

Summary of Planning & Development Stage

• Define Campaign Goals – Establish clear objectives (awareness, engagement, conversions, ROI) to guide creative and production decisions.
• Identify Target Audience – Use research and data insights to understand who the video is for and what message will resonate most.
• Develop Core Concept – Choose a central story or theme that reflects your brand voice and supports your marketing strategy.
• Set Budget and Timeline – Outline video production costs, deadlines, and deliverables to keep the project realistic and on schedule.
• Determine Success Metrics – Decide how performance will be measured, from view-through rates to conversion lift.

Phase 2: Pre-Production

With your idea in hand, you can start the next phase of production – pre-production. In this step, you’ll create your video production timeline, your storyboard, your script, and anything else you’ll need to keep production on track once you’ve started shooting. 

Storyboards are an essential part of any video production. A storyboard is a visual chart that lays out key scenes of your video. You don’t have to be a stellar artist to make a storyboard. You just need to draw well enough to communicate your shot ideas to your camera operators and graphic designers when you’re including animations. Write your script, and use it to create a visual representation of your script. Put notes under each sketch to keep the production team on the same page. If you have specific ideas for cuts or animation, add them in the notes. 

Stage 2 is also where you will line up what you need for production, including your location, talent, props, and sets, and anything else that you need before you start shooting. When you make your timeline, set deadlines for getting everything you need so you’re not scrambling on shooting day. 

Summary of Pre-Production Stage

• Write the Script – Create a concise narrative that captures your message quickly and clearly.
• Create the Storyboard – Visualize each shot to ensure everyone involved understands the creative vision.
• Scout Locations and Secure Permits – Select filming environments that enhance your story and obtain all necessary approvals.
• Cast Talent and Assemble Crew – Hire the right mix of on-screen talent and production experts to bring the concept to life.
• Build a Production Schedule – Map out shoot days, setup times, and key milestones to keep the team aligned.

Phase 3: Production

If you have a detailed script and storyboard, phase 3 should go smoothly. This is the stage of video production in which you actually get to shoot your video. Send out your production schedule ahead of time so everyone knows when they need to be on set to create the main video. 

You can make this step easier by location scouting ahead of time to make sure the lighting and acoustics work for your concept. Use your phone or bring a camera and shoot some test footage to see if you need extra lighting and sound equipment. 

For a short video, you can shoot your main footage in a day. You might need your film crew to go out at another time to shoot b-roll, which is footage that adds to your video but isn’t the main subject. B-roll usually includes exterior shots and other supplemental footage. 

Summary of Production Stage

• Set Up Lighting and Sound – Ensure the visual and audio environment meets professional standards for clarity and tone.
• Film Main Footage – Capture the key scenes (A-roll) that carry your story and messaging.
• Record B-Roll and Cutaways – Gather supplementary footage that adds depth and flexibility to the final edit.
• Monitor Takes in Real Time – Review playback on set to confirm framing, continuity, and performance accuracy.
• Document Continuity Details – Track wardrobe, props, and camera settings to maintain consistency throughout the shoot.

Phase 4: Post-Production

This video production phase involves editing your video, sound mixing, adding graphics or animations, and getting the video ready for distribution. In this phase, you’ll cut your video, edit and mix vocals, music, and other sounds, add special effects, and enhance the video footage to make sure the video looks polished and professional before you market it. 

You’ll bring your storyboard to life, laying b-roll, graphics, and animation over your raw video footage. This is one of the most labor-intensive phases of video production, and many business owners outsource post-production to professionals with an eye for creating seamless video.

Summary of Post-Production Stage

• Edit the Footage – Assemble scenes into a cohesive story, maintaining pacing and emotional flow.
• Add Graphics, Captions, and Titles – Incorporate brand visuals and accessibility features to engage wider audiences.
• Mix Sound and Music – Balance dialogue, effects, and score to support the desired mood and message.
• Apply Color Correction and Grading – Adjust tone, brightness, and contrast for a polished, cinematic look.
• Review and Finalize Versions – Export multiple edits for different platforms and gather stakeholder feedback before launch.

Phase 5: Marketing & Distribution

Once your video is complete, you will market and distribute it on your social media or other digital platforms. Phase 5 involves reaching your target audience that you decided on in the planning phase with your final video.

If you’re already using video marketing, you might be familiar with multivariate testing, which is a process you can use to understand how audiences are interacting with your videos. You can use social media and other channels to send your video to small test audiences to learn which channels and keywords get the most hits. 

Summary of Marketing & Distribution Stage

• Select Distribution Channels – Choose platforms that best align with your audience’s viewing habits and campaign goals.
• Optimize for Each Platform – Adjust video format, length, and aspect ratio for maximum reach and performance.
• Test Creative Variations – Run A/B or multivariate tests to understand which versions drive the strongest results.
• Track and Analyze Performance – Monitor metrics like engagement rate, completion rate, and conversion lift to measure impact.
• Refresh and Repurpose Content – Update visuals and messaging regularly to prevent viewer fatigue and extend campaign longevity.

Learn More: Social Media Video Ad Specs & Placements Guide

How QuickFrame Streamlines the Phases of Production

From planning to post-production, timelines don’t have to slow you down. With QuickFrame AI, you can move through every stage of video creation faster—developing, editing, and finalizing professional, on-brand ads in minutes. Add music, narration, and your brand’s visuals, then publish directly to MNTN, Meta Ads Manager, TikTok Ads Manager, or Google Ads Manager to get your campaign live without delay.

Simplify every stage of video production with QuickFrame AI.

Stages of Video Production: Final Thoughts

Video marketing is one of the most effective ways to reach your audience, but the cost and technical aspects of video production might have kept you away from this marketing tool. Breaking the process into stages helps you keep your team on track and organized, so you can maximize your budget. 

When you know your goals, you can create videos that are realistic and implementable for your needs. If you’re still unsure how to enter the world of video marketing, contact QuickFrame and learn how our streamlined approach to the stages of video production can work for you.