Pre-production is the phase that determines whether a film or video shoot runs smoothly or turns into an expensive salvage operation. At Sinfull Studios in Regina, Saskatchewan, every project — from a commercial spot to a short film — goes through a structured pre-production process before a single camera gets powered on. The planning done in the weeks before the shoot day is where the real creative and logistical decisions happen. Everything on set is just execution of choices made earlier.
What is pre-production and why does it matter more than the shoot itself?
Pre-production is every decision, document, and conversation that happens before you call “action.” It covers the script or treatment, location scouting, scheduling, gear selection, talent coordination, permits, and contingency planning. When pre-production is thorough, the shoot day is mostly execution — you already know what you are making, where you are making it, and how long each piece takes. When pre-production is thin, the shoot day becomes a series of problems you are solving for the first time while the clock runs and the crew waits. Every hour of proper pre-production saves two to three hours on set, and that math shows up directly in the budget and in the finished product.
How do you start — script, treatment, or brief?
It depends on the project, but you need something in writing before anything else happens. A narrative short or feature starts with a locked script. A commercial or branded piece often works from a treatment — a clear document that describes what the audience sees and hears, scene by scene, without full dialogue. A documentary might start from a research brief and a shot wish-list. Whatever the format, the document does two things: it tells everyone on the crew what they are building, and it forces the director and producer to make real decisions early, when changes are cheap. Trying to figure out story in the edit is one of the most expensive habits in production.
What goes on a shot list and how do you build one honestly?
A shot list is a scene-by-scene, shot-by-shot breakdown of everything the director needs to capture. Building one honestly means estimating how long each setup actually takes — not how long it takes when everything goes right. On a typical day in Regina, you might be working in a location that needs lighting adjustments between setups, or you are outdoors on the prairies where weather can shift the light in twenty minutes. A realistic shot list accounts for setup time, blocking time, and at least one or two additional takes per shot for coverage. The shots that fall off the list due to time are always the ones you planned to get to after lunch. Prioritize accordingly.
How do you build a production schedule that people will actually follow?
A production schedule that people follow is one that was built with honest input from the department heads — not just from the director’s enthusiasm. Work backwards from your wrap time, subtract meal breaks (which are non-negotiable on a legitimate set), and then divide the remaining hours by your shot list. If the numbers do not fit, you either reduce the shot list or add a shoot day. The schedule also needs to account for company moves between locations, which in a city like Regina can look short on a map and turn into a forty-five-minute operation when you factor in loading, driving, and getting the crew settled. Build in buffer. It disappears faster than you expect.
What location scouting actually involves — beyond finding a pretty background
Scouting a location means visiting it at the same time of day you plan to shoot, noting where the sun is, identifying power sources, checking for ambient noise, and confirming parking and access for a crew and gear load. In Saskatchewan, outdoor locations on the prairies offer scale and visual interest, but wind is a constant variable that affects audio and even camera stability on a drone shot. Interior locations in Regina need to be checked for ceiling height if you are using any kind of grip equipment, and for HVAC noise that cuts through clean dialogue recordings. Get photos, measurements, and a contact name for access. A location that looks great in someone else’s Instagram post is not a scouted location.
When do you need permits and how do you handle them in Regina?
If you are shooting on public property in Regina — streets, parks, city-owned spaces — you will need a film permit through the City of Regina. The process is straightforward but it takes time, and you do not want to be waiting on approval three days before the shoot. Private property requires written permission from the owner, not just a verbal agreement. Drone operations in and around Regina fall under Transport Canada regulations, and flying near the airport or over people requires specific authorizations that need to be secured well in advance. Getting permits sorted early also protects the production if anyone on location questions what you are doing there. It ends the conversation immediately.
What belongs on a gear list and a call sheet?
The gear list covers every piece of equipment the production needs: cameras, lenses, audio gear, lighting, grip, power, and any specialty items like drone rigs or virtual production hardware. It should be confirmed against the shot list — do not bring equipment you have no plan to use, and do not leave behind equipment a specific shot requires. The call sheet is a separate document that tells every crew and cast member where to be, when to be there, what the day’s schedule looks like, the location address, emergency contacts, and any notes about parking or access. It goes out the night before the shoot. If crew members are showing up without having read the call sheet, that is a crew communication problem that pre-production should have solved earlier.
What contingencies should every production plan for?
Weather is the obvious one for outdoor work in Saskatchewan — have a rain plan and a wind plan, and know at what point you move the shoot indoors or push the date. Beyond weather, plan for:
- Talent cancellations — know who can cover or which scenes can be rearranged
- Gear failure — have a backup body for your primary camera and know where the nearest rental house is
- Location access problems — confirm the day before, not the morning of
- Overtime — know your hard stop times and which shots get cut if you run behind
- Audio issues — have a backup recording device and know your post-production options if something gets through
A contingency is not pessimism. It is the thing that keeps a single problem from turning into a lost shoot day. The productions that run well are not the ones where nothing goes wrong — they are the ones where someone already had a plan for when it did.
How does pre-production work when you hire a production company?
When you hire Sinfull Studios for a film or video project, pre-production is a collaborative process. You bring the brief, the goal, and the constraints — budget, timeline, required locations, tone. The production team brings the expertise to translate that into a workable plan: script or treatment development, location scouting in the Regina area, scheduling, gear planning, and the paperwork. The more detailed and honest the initial brief, the more accurate the plan. Productions that skip or rush pre-production meetings to save time typically spend that time — and more — fixing problems on set or in post. The planning phase is not overhead. It is the work.
Explore Film and Stage Credits at Sinfull Studios for more.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is pre-production in film and why is it important?
Pre-production is the planning phase that happens before filming begins, covering the script or treatment, shot list, schedule, location scouting, permits, gear list, and call sheets. It is important because the decisions made during pre-production determine whether a shoot day runs on schedule and on budget — thorough pre-production prevents problems from being solved for the first time on set while the crew is waiting.
Do you need a film permit to shoot in Regina, Saskatchewan?
Yes — shooting on public property in Regina, including streets, parks, and city-owned spaces, requires a film permit through the City of Regina. Drone operations near the city also fall under Transport Canada regulations and may require additional authorizations. Private locations require written permission from the property owner. Permits should be secured well before the shoot date, not in the final days before production.
How long does pre-production take for a video or film project in Regina?
The length of pre-production depends on the scale of the project. A short commercial or branded video might require one to two weeks of pre-production for location scouting, scripting, scheduling, and permits. A short film or more complex production typically needs four to eight weeks or more to properly plan every department. Rushing pre-production is one of the most common reasons film and video shoots in Regina — or anywhere — run over budget and over schedule.
