Pre-production habits that make editing 10x easier
Pre-production is often underestimated, but it’s the phase that can make or break your edit. Whether you’re a filmmaker, content creator, or part of a remote production team, cultivating smart preproduction habits will not only make editing easier it’ll make it faster, smoother, and infinitely more creative.
If you’ve ever spent hours scrubbing through footage, trying to find that one perfect take, or spent too long fixing issues that could’ve been avoided chances are, the pre-production process didn’t get the love it deserved.
The truth is, great editing doesn’t begin on the timeline. It starts before the camera rolls.
Pre-production is often underestimated, but it’s the phase that can make or break your edit. Whether you’re a filmmaker, content creator, or part of a remote production team, cultivating smart preproduction habits will not only make editing easier it’ll make it faster, smoother, and infinitely more creative.
So, what exactly is pre-production?
Pre-production is everything that happens before the cameras start rolling. It’s planning, coordination, and setup laying the groundwork for your entire project.
It’s the phase where you:
- Lock in the script or storyboard
- Scout and schedule locations
- Cast talent
- Assemble your crew
- Plan your shots
- Prep gear and permits
Basically, it’s the “blueprint stage” and just like a house, the quality of your build depends on the plan.
Pre-production vs. production: What’s the difference?
Pre-production is planning and prepping, production is when you shoot while post-production is where you edit, color grade, add sound, and export the final piece. Skipping solid pre-production is like trying to cook without knowing the recipe. You might get something edible but don’t count on it being great.
Why Pre-Production Makes Editing 10x Easier
Let’s talk about the editing pain points pre-production can solve:
- Continuity errors? Solved with detailed shot lists and script breakdowns.
- Missing B-roll? Prevented with proper shot planning.
- Sloppy footage? Avoided with rehearsals and camera tests.
- Mismatched audio? Fixed by locking down locations and sound strategy early.
Solid prep gives your editor the puzzle pieces they need organized, intentional, and complete.
The Full Lifecycle of a Video Project (in 5 Stages)
- Development – The idea and story take shape.
- Pre-Production – Planning and organizing begins.
- Production – Lights, camera, action!
- Post-Production – Editing, sound, VFX, color grading.
- Distribution – Uploading, sharing, monetizing.
You can’t skip steps and expect greatness.
Pre-production babits that save your sanity in post-production
- Create a shot list: You don’t want to find out in the edit that you forgot your establishing shot.
- **Label everything on set:**From SD cards to scene slates. Organized inputs = faster outputs.
- Time your script: Know how long scenes are likely to run. It helps with shoot planning and pacing later on.
- Record clean audio separately: A good lav mic or boom will save you hours of EQ hell.
- Use a shooting script or storyboard: Especially for YouTubers or short-form content creators. It keeps your edit sharp and purposeful.
- Think of your editor: Shoot multiple angles, pause between takes, and say things like “take 3” on camera. You’re talking to your future self (or your team editor).
Common pre-production Jobs
- Producer – Oversees planning, budget, schedule.
- Director – Preps story vision and guides talent.
- Assistant Director (AD) – Handles daily scheduling and crew.
- Casting Director – Sources and secures actors.
- Location Manager – Scouts and books shoot spaces.
Even on a small team, wear these hats intentionally.
Real-world examples of pre-production winning the edit
- Case 1: A YouTube brand series that scheduled B-roll days before interview days cut edit time in half editors weren’t waiting on assets.
- **Case 2:**A wedding filmmaker who labeled audio files by speaker name and moment (“Bride Vows,” “Father Toast”) cut down their first draft turnaround by 3 days.
- **Case 3:**A short film team that color-coded folders by scene number, camera angle, and audio had zero sync issues in post.
Final thoughts
Editing is where the magic happens but pre-production is the spell book. Get in the habit of planning like your hard drive depends on it. Because honestly, it does. Whether you’re running a solo shoot or leading a creative team, investing time upfront makes post-production a breeze, not a battle.
Plan smarter. Shoot sharper. Edit easier.