Film & storytelling
What to include in a film production brief
Prepare a clear film or video production brief with your audience, story, deliverables, shoot requirements, budget scope and approval process.
The short answer
A film production brief should state the purpose, audience, main message, expected duration, release channels, deliverables and deadline. Include references, available locations and the approval process so the team can plan the creative approach and production scope together.
What is the film meant to achieve?
Start with the viewer and the intended response. Is the film introducing an organisation, telling a documentary story, promoting an event or developing an original narrative? A clear purpose helps the team choose the structure, tone and visual approach.
Describe one main message in plain language. Add the audience, preferred languages and where people will watch the finished film. A film intended for a cinema screen may need a different presentation from a short piece watched on a phone.
Which deliverables should you specify?
List the outputs you need rather than asking only for ‘a video’. Specify the main film, shorter edits, aspect ratios, subtitles and any still images required. Discuss which delivery formats suit the intended channels.
Share visual references and explain what you like about them: pacing, framing, colour, sound or storytelling. References help communicate an idea, but the production plan should match your own subject, locations and resources.
- Purpose, audience and the central message
- Approximate duration, languages and release channels
- Main edit, cutdowns, aspect ratios and subtitle needs
- Target delivery date and people responsible for approvals
What does the team need to know before filming?
Share the proposed locations, interview subjects or performers, existing scripts and any material you already have. Identify who can arrange access, permissions and scheduling. Let the team know about venue restrictions or dates when key people are unavailable.
Agree the production scope before fixing the shoot plan. Discuss the script or outline, crew, equipment, travel and the time needed at each location. Confirm responsibilities for location access and participant consent rather than leaving those decisions until filming starts.
How should editing and approvals work?
Choose one person to collect feedback from everyone who needs to approve the film. Consolidated notes are easier to act on than conflicting comments from several people. Agree when the team will review the outline, first edit and final delivery.
Clarify the included revision rounds, music and other third-party usage rights, and whether project files or source footage are part of the handover. Put these details in the agreed scope so the finished film can be used as intended.
Common questions
Do I need a finished script before contacting a production team?
A finished script is not essential for an initial discussion. A clear objective, audience, message and a few references can be enough to discuss concept development. Confirm whether scripting is included in the proposed scope.
What affects a film production quote?
The creative approach, shoot days, locations, crew, equipment, performers, travel, editing, sound and final deliverables influence the quote. Specify the required outputs and approval process so proposals cover comparable work.
Can one shoot produce a main film and short social edits?
Yes, when those deliverables are planned before the shoot. Tell the team which durations and aspect ratios you need so framing, coverage and editing can support the main film and its shorter versions.