Video Production Checklist
From dead batteries to forgotten b-roll, small misses ruin shoot days. This checklist runs you through pre-production, filming, and handoff to editing so every video leaves the set complete and ready to cut.
YouTube & VideoPDF6 sectionsfree, no paywall
What you get
- A pre-production gate so you never film without a plan
- An on-set checklist for audio, lighting, and framing
- A wrap step so footage is backed up and labeled for the edit
- A branded, print-ready PDF you can check off every shoot
How to use this template
- 1. Clear pre-production first. Do not pick up a camera until the script, shot list, and gear checks are done. This block prevents most reshoots.
- 2. Test audio before video. Audio is the most common reason a take is unusable. Record a test and listen on headphones before the real take.
- 3. Run the on-set list per scene. Check framing, focus, and lighting at each new setup so you do not discover problems in the edit.
- 4. Wrap before you leave. Back up footage, confirm files open, and label the project so the edit starts without hunting for clips.
Still choosing the tool you will run this in? Compare two side by side, or read how each profile is built in our review methodology.
What's inside
2 of 6 sections shown; the remaining 4 come with the free download.
What is a video production checklist?
A video production checklist is a fixed list of the steps a shoot needs, split into what you do before filming, what you check on set, and what you finish before leaving. It covers the dull things that ruin footage: charged batteries, locked exposure, and a mic test you actually listened back to.
Creators who film alone need it most, because nobody else notices the mic was on the wrong input until the edit. Running the same list every shoot also makes shoot days quicker, since you stop re-deciding settings and start from a setup you already know works in your room.
Pre-production
Complete every item before filming begins.
- Script and hook are finalized and read aloud
- Shot list and b-roll list are prepared
- Batteries charged and storage cards cleared
4 more sections and the PDF are behind the free download.
Tools that help with this
The template does the thinking; these are the products creators run it in. The full software directory has the rest.
OBS Studio
OBS Studio is a free, open-source application for live streaming and video recording available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
$0
Ecamm Live
Ecamm Live is a Mac-only live streaming and video production app that lets you broadcast to multiple platforms with professional overlays, multi-camera support, and guest interviews.
$20/mo
Riverside
Riverside is a cloud-based podcast and video recording platform that records locally on each participant's device, in up to 4K video and 48kHz WAV audio.
$0/mo
Descript
Descript is an AI-powered video and audio editor that lets you edit media by editing text.
$0/mo
Epidemic Sound
Music licensing for monetized YouTube channels, with ContentID whitelisting that stops copyright claims before they fire.
quote only
Categories to browse: Video Editing SaaS, Live Streaming Software.
Frequently asked questions
What is a video production checklist?
It is a repeatable list of the checks a shoot needs, grouped into pre-production, audio and lighting, on-set checks per scene, and wrap. The point is to catch small misses, such as an unformatted card or drifting exposure, before they cost you a reshoot.
What is the most overlooked step in video production?
Audio. Viewers forgive average video far faster than bad audio, yet creators check it last. Record a short audio test, listen on headphones, and fix hum or clipping before committing to a full take.
Do I need a checklist if I film alone?
Especially if you film alone. With no crew to catch mistakes, a checklist is your safety net against dead batteries, lost focus, or missing b-roll that would otherwise force a full reshoot.
What should I check between every take?
Focus and audio levels. Both drift without warning: focus hunts when you shift position, and levels change when you lean in. A two-second glance at the meter beats refilming a five-minute take.
How much extra footage should I record around each take?
Start recording two or three seconds before you speak and hold for two or three after, every time. Those handles give the edit room for cuts and transitions, and they cost nothing but card space.