Every great video begins with a well-thought-out plan that aligns the project’s objectives with its creative execution. Meet Shootsta's Video Plan!
Every great video begins with a well-thought-out plan that aligns the project’s objectives with its creative execution. This initial planning not only sets the direction and tone of your video but also ensures that every element, from scripting to post-production, works harmoniously towards your intended goals.
To help you master this crucial phase, we introduce the Shootsta Video Plan—a tool designed to assist and streamline the video content planning process. This template is your gateway to organised, efficient, and effective video planning - and is broken down into 3 stages:
- Video Brief
- Story and Structure
- Call Sheet and Logistics
Let’s dive in and explore how you can leverage this powerful tool to enhance your video production workflow. Want to follow along with us? Open up one of our video templates below.
The first link is a pre-filled Video Plan that will walk through each part of the plan in detail. The second link is a blank Video Plan ready for you to copy and begin planning! Lastly we have a downloadable pdf if you need.
Get started using the Shootsta Video Plan here (Google Docs) - Walk through
Want to get started planning? Open Shoosta Video Plan here (Google Docs)
Step 1: Write Your Brief
The “Brief” section
This section of the Shootsta Video Plan Template is designed to lay the groundwork for your video project. This part of the template serves as a crucial starting point, helping you to clarify and document the core elements that will guide the entire production process. Here’s a closer look at each component of the Brief section and why they are important:
Defining the project name and objectives
Start by naming your project to give it a distinct identity. This helps in aligning all team members under a common goal. Clearly outline the objectives of the video. What do you hope to achieve? Whether it’s increasing brand awareness, driving sales, or educating your audience, having a clear objective keeps the project focused and helps you measure the performance of each video.
Identifying and specifying the target audience
Knowing who your video is for is critical. A well-defined target audience allows you to tailor your messaging and content style to meet the specific needs and preferences of your viewers. This ensures the content resonates with them more effectively, increasing engagement and impact. It’s better to have a small audience that’s highly engaged than a bigger audience that tunes out quickly and doesn’t come back.
Articulating a single key message
What is the one thing you want your audience to remember after watching the video? Pinning down a single, clear key message ensures your video remains focused and impactful, without confusing or overwhelming your audience with too much information.
Choosing the right video style and references
The style of the video should reflect both your brand’s personality and the preferences of the target audience. Whether it’s a formal, documentary-style video or a fast-paced, animated explainer, selecting the right style helps in connecting with the audience effectively. Include references such as links to videos that inspire your vision to provide clear examples of what you’re aiming for.
Determining the call to action and distribution platforms
Decide what action you want viewers to take after watching the video. This could be visiting a website, signing up for a newsletter, or sharing the video. Also, consider where the video will be distributed – social media, email newsletters, or corporate websites – as this will influence the content’s format and style.
Setting realistic timelines and video lengths
Establishing a timeline for the project ensures that each phase of the video production is completed on time, preventing last-minute rushes and ensuring a smooth workflow. Additionally, deciding on the video length early in the planning process helps in structuring the script and scenes effectively.
Step 2: Story & Structure
The “Story and Structure” section
This section is where your creative vision begins to take shape. This part of the template is for building a compelling narrative that captures and maintains your audience’s attention from start to finish. Here’s how to effectively use this section to craft a story that resonates:
1. Capturing attention with an effective hook
The first few seconds of your video can be the make or break for whether someone continues to watch or moves on to another––so it’s key to have an effective hook. Use a bold statement, a provocative question, or a striking visual to grab your audience’s attention right off the bat. This hook should be intriguing enough to make viewers want to watch the rest of the video.
2. Conveying the key message clearly in the introduction
After the hook, move into an introduction that sets up the rest of the video. Clearly state the key message early to ensure that viewers understand the central theme. This is where you tell your audience what the video is about and what they can gain from watching it.
3. Delivering engaging content in the middle section
This is the core of your video, where you delve into the details. Use this section to elaborate on your key message, presenting facts, stories, or explanations that reinforce your main points. Keep this section organised and focused—each piece of information should build on the last and be relevant to your overall narrative.
4. Strategies for an impactful call-to-action at the end
Your conclusion should drive home your key message and encourage viewers to take a specific action. Whether it’s subscribing to a channel, visiting a website, or another action, make your call-to-action (CTA) clear and compelling. It should feel like a natural extension of the information presented.
5. Scripting and visual planning
As you write your script in the left column of the template, use the right column to plan corresponding visuals. This dual-column approach helps you synchronise your verbal and visual content, ensuring they complement each other effectively. Think about how each visual can enhance the understanding of your message or add emotional impact to your words.
Step 3: Call Sheet
The “Call Sheet” section
1. Dates and Locations
Everyone needs to know when filming is taking place and where they need to be. This gives you a chance to also book out any space you might need to film in ahead of time or organise filming permits depending on your desired location.
2. Contact List
This can help make communication easy, especially when working with a videographer or guest talent.
3. Schedule
This doesn't need to be complex. Just let people know what time to meet and the order you want to go about filming everything.
4. Props or Costumes
Not every shoot required props or costumes but if it does, writing down what you need and whose responsibility it is to organise it is both best practice and incredibly helpful. This can also include everyday objects things like 'lift passes', laptops, or branded banners.
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