Pre-Production truly starts once you are financed.

Pre-Production is the beginning process once you are financed. It's the roadmap for your entire production. Two key words truly define this process; organization and details. This is the time to nail down all aspects of your Production and Post-Production.

Earlier in Pre-Financing you probably made a list of people to contact for cast and crew. Now that you are financed, it's time to make your final selection whether for a particular role or department head.

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It has been my experience that department heads appreciate a production more when they have some creative input. For example, I make a list of all the shots I must have for a particular scene. I take the list to the DP and ask them to make my shots better. Never hurts to ask the expert. You can always say no.

I also carefully go over a thirty item list I made several years ago which reminds me of the many major and minor details I need to address. Like I said earlier, it's all about organization and details. You don't want any surprises just when you are ready to say, "action."

A few examples from my list are: make sure everyone has signed their contract, the production insurance is in place, talent and department heads have the most recent script, everyone has the shooting schedule, decide the days for your still photographer, set rehearsal schedule...etc. The main idea for Pre-Production is the Boyscout Motto, "be prepared."

Finally, if it's your script and you are putting the production together, never trust anyone to interpret your creativity. It's your story. Do it your way. That doesn't mean you don't listen to others, but it does mean you make the final decision. I promise you, you will always deeply regret any decision if you allow anyone to change your vision. It's better to do it your way and be wrong than to get the same result by altering your vision.

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