Production Planning

Tips on pre-production tasks like storyboarding, location scouting, and scheduling.

Pre-Interview Research

Production Planning

Pre-Interview Research

Research your interviewee’s background to ask insightful, engaging questions and guide the conversation.

For best results, use research tools like Milanote for notes and Otter.ai for transcription.

B-Roll Planning

Production Planning

B-Roll Planning

Plan B-roll shots that support your narrative and add visual context to your documentary.

For best results, create a shot list to capture the most relevant supplemental footage.

See tips from other categories

Use Simple, Direct Language

Use Simple, Direct Language

Avoid complex sentences and technical jargon in your script, especially for healthcare or nonprofit audiences, to maintain clarity and engagement.

For best results, use Hemingway App to simplify and streamline your script.

A/B Test Thumbnails and Titles

A/B Test Thumbnails and Titles

Experiment with different thumbnails and titles, then A/B test them to see which generates higher click-through rates and engagement.

For best results, use platforms like YouTube’s A/B testing feature or TubeBuddy to compare and analyze thumbnail and title performance.

Basic Sound Setup

Basic Sound Setup

Position your microphone close to the subject to capture clear, crisp audio with minimal background noise.

For best results, use a Lavalier mic or a smartphone microphone close to the subject.