PRODUCTION PLAN: It’s time to get real.

A plan or blueprint for your production will go a long way to enhance your relationships and the efficiency of your production. Before you meet with your audio/visual professional, create a blueprint of what you want your product to be, to look like, and to accomplish. The process of putting it on paper allows you to clearly define what you want, and also exposes areas of uncertainty where you need qualified input. A production plan allows your colleague to quickly understand your ideas and expectations.

Start with a detailed business plan, budget spreadsheet or storyboard.

Know what you want — your objectives, timelines, budget, desired outcomes, sales goals, inventory goals, packaging design and inventory numbers. You also want to design or develop a cost amortization. How much will this product cost to produce (record, edit, mix and master)? These items should be negotiated and agreed upon before you begin. How much will it sell for?

Changes during production will cost you.

Keep in mind that any changes you make during the production process will probably impact the budget too, which is why you’ll want to be as clear as possible of exactly what you want before you begin.

However, there are times when projects go over-budget, and it’s not always due to poor planning; it has more to do with the creative process, which isn’t as predictable as other aspects of the production. If you have a feeling that much of the project’s creative synergy will develop in the studio, plan extra time in the budget.

Next, if your project is a product-for-sale (as opposed to a demo piece) how much will your product cost to duplicate and package? What is your pricing strategy? Figure out how many units you will need to sell to break even and at what point you’ll start making a profit? Create a realistic sales forecast. This will help you stay on-task and in-budget.

I have experienced the trials and tribulations of unorganized video shoots and recording sessions. I have also experienced the evolution of audio and video product from the analog days of 8-tracks and 3⁄4” video-editing to the digital days of DVDs, CD ROMs, video CDs, ECDs and MP3 audio. I can tell you from experience, nothing will doom a project faster than a poor production plan.