Depending on the individual production, some of these steps may be completed out-of-order or concurrently with other steps.

A. Needs Assessment - This is rarely done, but always should be. A well done needs assessment insures that a media presentation, when complete, will produce the desired results. It also provides the correct starting point for the Organization and Research steps. ^Back Up^

B. Organization - Objectives, approach, and audience for the video are discussed. It's a good idea to invite review from representatives of management, public information, and operations. Production, communication and approval procedures are determined, and responsibilities are designated, in this step. ^Back Up^

C. Research - The tasks to be completed in this step may include all or part of the following: assembling research information, visiting potential shooting locations, consulting with people at those locations, conducting conversations, interviews etc. The research person should become the authority on the subject matter of the video. ^Back Up^

D. Outline&Approach (Treatment) - The objective of this step is to decide what content will be presented in the video, in what order, and in what way. The best way to do this is to develop an outline. The Treatment is a separate document, usually only a few paragraphs. It describes how can the content in the Outline be creatively presented? Serious? humorous? dramatic? news-style?, game show? etc. ^Back Up^

E. Narrative Script - The Narrative Script is derived from the Outline and approach(es) (Treatment(s)). It is the text of the presentation. It specifies any interviews or on-camera appearances planned as part of the production. (In the case of a dramatic presentation, it would take the form of a movie script.) The Narrative Script for an eight to ten minute production will usually be only two to three double-spaced pages in length. ^Back Up^

F. Visualized Script - The Visualized Script is a two-column version of the Narrative Script. (Dramatic or movie scripts describe visuals, but are laid out in paragraphs rather than columns.) On the Visualized Script, the right column of the page contains visual information such as numbered shot descriptions; the left side has the audio information such as the text which is being read as the shot is seen - also music selections. ^Back Up^

G. Selecting Talent & Extras - Using professional on-camera talent and extras will save time and money in production. They will usually be able to do the work in fewer takes (less time) with better-looking results than untrained personnel. MEDIAWORKS has contacts with many talent agencies and acting schools and can find excellent talent to fill any role.
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H. Scouting Locations (Licenses) - Location, location, location. Even shooting in public places now requires appropriate licenses. Getting approvals to shoot in private locations can be a daunting chore. MEDIAWORKS has a long history of shooting in most of the popular locations in the area. We know whom to contact, what to expect, and what it costs to access or rent locations throughout the state. ^Back Up^

I. Field Production Schedule - Keeping track of each shot is absolutely necessary, because it is very costly, and sometimes impossible, to return to a location just to shoot one missed shot. All shots are sorted by computer and then saved to disk. The sorted file can then be called up in any word processor and detailed specifications for each shot can be added. The added details might be props, equipment, the talent and number of extras needed, etc. Once these details are complete, a date and time for shooting is established and everyone involved is contacted. This takes considerable time and patience. ^Back Up^