What does the Art Director do in the pre-pro stage of TVCs? I might do my first TVC project and not sure what to do and expect. Aren’t the boards and the treatment come from the director?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Congrats! Welcome to production. This is the fun and truly crazy part. Just know that the money combined with the limited time frame of prep combined with the even more limited time frame of the shoot is a pressure cooker. Stuff will go wrong and that’s ok.

This process is all about solving problems and setting yourself up for success.

1. Director search - maybe you’ve already got a director on board, but if not, you now need to sell your idea/script to directors. First, search for a director. Your producer will probably send you a list. But you should be looking too. This is huge. Pick a director who has the tone and style you love for the script. Got a list? Great. Now make a director reach out deck. This is a brief basically. Introduce the idea, have the scripts, but then also do a mini treatment. What’s the tone? What’s the look? What’s the set design? What’s the shooting style you’re thinking? Give them a taste of where you’re head is at so they can feedback against that. Then you’ll talk with directors, get treatments, evaluate how they’d bring them to life, have another phone call to discuss. Once you internally align on a director (if you’re not single bidding), you’ll sell them to the client. Pick the best/most important pieces from their treatment and walk the client through.

2. Casting - You know all those people in your scripts? Write short descriptions of them. A little summary of the character and their role. Maybe some personality notes. And then include details. You’ll get some initial casting links with tons of videos. Watch them. Pick the ones you’d think would be best. If the majority aren’t right, tell your producer why and they’ll relay the feedback to the casting agent. Then you’ll get another round of links. And so on. Once you have your selects, the casting place will have callbacks. In normal times, you’d go into a casting agency with the director, they’ll bring in the selects, and they’ll audition while getting notes from the director. Once you’ve seen all the selects, you’ll pick the best for the roles. Generally the director leads this and you chime in.
You’ll usually have 1st choices and 2nds as backups. Then this is where we make another deck, with a shot of each actor, a link to a portion of their audition, and a description of what they did well since people don’t always watch the links.

3. Locations - write a short brief of the different locations in your spot. Include relevant details. But most importantly include references. References are king/queen of production. While you’re doing other stuff (like callbacks) a location scout will be driving around in a weird wide brimmed hat and oakleys (don’t ask me why but it’s the uniform) looking for locations. They’ll send you pictures of the directors selects/favs. You ask questions about angles and what’s dressable/notdressable. You can also ask for more if you’re not getting what you need. In the same way you get feedback on art direction, you can give feedback on stuff (to a reasonable degree, don’t be a dick... but know what you need). After that, you’ll present locations in a deck to client. Inevitably they’ll kill the only one that there’s 0 backups for and you’ll be panicking in a hotel looking through volumes of pictures for something serviceable.

4. Production design and dressing and wardrobe - can you tell I’m a writer cause I limped these into one group? Honestly, your interactions with each of these are just similar processes. Startpulling references early. Have a look you want to achieve for a living room? References and write a brief. Need a funky robot? Pull references and write a brief. Have people in your spot? Pull wardrobe references and write a brief. Along the way, you’ll get updates from the production company on set dressing options, wardrobe, and production design. Give feedback. When you’re in a semi decent spot, put a deck together and show your client. They’ll probably say they didn’t think the robot would be so roboty. Convince them otherwise or you’ll have to go tell that production designer, “sorry about that robot you worked 72 hours straight on which perfectly fits the brief. We need something different.” Then ride in the rental car back to the hotel with your producer and feel bad.

5. Gain 15 lbs (only applicable if you’re traveling) - with all the decks you’ll be making to brief people and to update the client, you’ll need fuel. Everywhere you go, people will hand you food. This is a good move from the production company’s position because well fed clients are happy clients. Oh yeah, you’re a client on production but you also have your own client. Remember that dynamic, it’s important. Anyway, my favorite move is to find a grocery store nearby and get some healthyish snacks and stuff to keep in my hotel fridge so I don’t eat crap the whole time. But you do you.

6. Shooting boards - your director will work with an illustrator to board out the shots you’ll capture. Roll up your sleeves and dig into this because this is the time to ask for shots you thought you talked about but didn’t. Ask them to take you through it. Ask about coverage. Ask about camera moves. Get into the details. Think it all through.

7. Tech scout - are you ready to feel awkward and in the way? That’s what this is for. A tech scout is when the director and their different dept. leads all go to the locations to specifically plan out each shot, determine lighting needs required for different shots, figure out shot order based on sun position, and a whole bunch of other stuff that doesn’t concern you... because you’re a client and you’re paying for their expertise. Alllll you’re here for is the director to finish with their team and then walk you through each shot. So you’ll be standing off to the side a lot. It’s ok. Ask questions and confirm things. This is a good chance to get on the same page before the Prepro meeting get into it.

So that should lead you to the pre pro meeting and through most of the prep. Maybe I forgot something but this feels like enough to chew on.

If I can offer one personal piece of advice, don’t drink the night before a shoot day. It’s not worth it.

likehelpful

You’ll also be putting a lot of mood boards together for casting specs, locations, props/set design, wardrobe, etc. So lots of making sure everyone is on the same page to steer the production company in the right direction with all things visual. Hopefully, you’ll get to be on all the casting calls, director calls, fittings, etc. as well. Film productions are my favorite part of my job.

likehelpful

☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️
Moodboards AF.
No such thing as too much detail.

likehelpful

Your cd should help guide you. Let them know this is your first shoot and ask for them to explain EVERYTHING. Yes boards and treatments come from director usually but sometimes if it’s a tech client and the script involves a lot of UI, this will come from agency and get handed off to the director

helpful

Already some good advice here, just to throw in usually my AD partner takes visual stuff like props and makeup and wardrobe and I take more story related stuff like casting. But if it’s heavily weighted one way or another we definitely help each other out. Both of you should be able to do both, and should be commenting and adding to each other’s work on both

helpful

Get to the gym ASAP, cause you’re going to be eating anything and everything from craft services.

Related Posts

I was planning on quitting late June but just joined a project from hell 😂 did any of you guys quit earlier than expected?

likefunny

What are the ethics of using projects made for a company as an in-house designer on your portfolio? I remade a good portion of our website this year and I’d like to include it but I’m not sure what the thoughts are on that vs. a freelance project.

like

Please suggest companies for medical devices/ HealthCare. I am looking for Project management profile. I have knowledge of defence industry also. Do let me know.

Looking for remote healthcare opportunities. I have spent 10 years in senior living (business office/hr , and admin. I’m interested in project management, implementation, or operations positions. I am based out of NJ. Also open to hybrid. Looking for company recommendations, hiring or not, to look out for. I’m in a role now where growth and development are not afforded to me.

like

Is it normal to be in a stretch role in your first project as a C? Manager is telling me to lead without a title. A lot of what I’m doing is new to me and I’m having a hard time leading in things I don’t know how to do.

like

I have joined GDS around 2 months ago and still not tagged to any project.
Anyone else facing this issue?
And how is this gonna affect the confirmation after 6 months probation and the appraisal if confirmed?
Tech : Big data, hadoop
Yoe : 6, technology consulting D&A

like

Any advance public GitHub project having class based django as well as DRF?
I want to learn by example.

Hi Fishes

Need your suggestions,
YOE- 6.6 - UI developer

Wipro 18LPA 1.4 variable + 1lakh JOININGBONUS - SSE

HCL 20LPA 8% variable - R&D team NOT IN ANY PROJECT

WISSEN TECHNOLOGY 20% LPA Fixed - Senior Consultant

All are from Bangalore.
I am confused to pick better one.

Thank you.

Wipro HCL Technologies Wissen Technology

like

Hi Team. I joined accenture on 1st July 22 at level 9( SAP). This is my first exp at a service base. Few Questions:
1. How much perc variable i can expect in Nov.I am charging since day 1. Was on bench for a week.
2. Will i be given an hike in nov 22.
3. Can i change my work location at any other accenture location although my client is not present at that location.

like

Those who practice in wills & estates... if wills client dies and someone requests their file because estate is in litigation, what do you charge for reviewing the file and making copies? Contd

like

Do Google Cloud employees also get the famed 20% time (20% of your time spent on a side project or an innovation) benefit?

likesmart

Can you share a problem that you encountered in your last research project? How did you overcome it?

like

Hello folks,

I am working in a project with react technology which is new to me.Now manager of other project is asking me to work in another project also parallely.I am somehow trying my best to work in current project but then how will I be able to do work in that other project parallely? Can I deny that person that i don't have the bandwidth to work on that project. Can i do so? My yoe is 2.5 yrs
Plz suggest

funny

Creatives: how are you finding inspiration to work on banners?
I always believed there’s an opportunity in every project, but MAN have 729x90s been proving me wrong...

likefunny

Hi everyone, I am currently a Systems Engineer and Product Lead with experience using Agile methodologies, Scrum, Jira, Confluence and other project management tools. I am looking to make a pivot to Project/Program/Product management and would like some advice and referrals. Thanks!

like

As creative directors, have you ever had a client that you just wished you could cut ties with? They're bringing in some money but their attitude is beyond abhorrent.

like

Hi. How do most plaintiffs firms deal with payment for a private investigator and comport with the ethics rules? Do you always charge to client unless indigent? Can the firm eat the costs if client is not indigent or is that a violation of rule 1.8? I understand it varies state by state but trying to get a general understanding.

I supported day and night for a project but they have never recognised me . Finally they recognised and provided rewards for a managers pet who used to work with help of my support for solving all the issues.
I regret now that I should not work for company. I should concentrate on my own wealth and health.

like

Hi Fishes anyone here working in ADDA project

I want to hear your horror stories as a service provider. I'll start. At a previous company... we were contractually obligated to have deployed (and provided 24x7 monitoring of) an AT&T Cybersecurity product suite for a managed network client, but we never deployed the solution. They paid us for the 24x7 monitoring and the software for MONTHS. When they realized it, we owed them almost $27k.

like

More Posts

PwC 🐠: Has anyone here made a transfer from Forensics (accounting or analytics) to the Deals group? If so can you share any tips/experiences?

like

7/17 Thread (BC):

like

Will ETH ever hit 10k or is crypto dead?

like

Considering lateraling to the NYC office of a Boston-based BigLaw firm. My current firm is HQed is NYC. Are there any downsides to working in a “satellite” office?

like

Hi All , looking for a good dentist in New Delhi area . Have been to 2-3 already with no results that helped

Team Grassley got smart and hired Rachel Mitchell, a26 year veteran sex crimes prosecutor and bureau chief to question Ford and Brett
#GrassleyFTW

like

Currently interning at a small startup agency. I’ve been there less than a week but I can tell I’m getting exploited since it’s unpaid and no mentorship so far. Is anyone hiring so I can please leave this internship! Thanks

like

Wonderful, it sounds like the idiot trucker protest is still going on…

like

Hi All,

Hope you are doing well.
Can someone tell me what is career path (hierarchy) for PMO?

Thanks in advance..

like

I’m an experienced Community Programs Director (youth, community development - 15+ years) serving BIPOC communities and self-taught Director of Development (2+ years) looking to transition out of non-profit to corporate. Any recommendations or referrals to NYC jobs welcomed! Interested to also learn what departments could use my expertise. Thanks!

like

How many CEIV fish are there in this bowl? Click like.

Anyone else try to exchange Hertz points for hotel/airlines recently? The option has been removed. Here's to hoping they will last through the bankruptcy.

like

What kind of gifts are given at fidelity investments during year end?

like

Received Inclined outcome for loop at Amazon, however downgraded from L6 TPM to L5 TPM. I don't as much care about the level, but my TC expectations are around 275-300k. Anyone with experience in this know if they will be able to get to that number for L5 TPM? 11.5 YoE and a Master's Degree.

Thanks in advance!

like

Received an offer from another company with a salary increase of about 25%. I’d like to not leave my current company. How to approach my boss in the most polite way and hoping for a raise?

like

Hi Fishes,

Looking for a good 2-3 bhk in Mahadevapura area, as close as possible to Phoenix Marketcity. Gated community preferred.
Budget is flexible.
Also happy to move in as a flatmate with existing tenants.

like

Guys need quick help , I am currently staying in a PG but i want to switch to a flat 1bhk/ 2bhk / 3bhk in HSR layout(any sector) . Can you guys please let me know if any flat is available and under 7k-8k per head. Thanks

like

Looking for Flat mate in electronic city phase 1 neeladri nagar,the flat is 2bhk and Fully furnished and pretty near to Market area ,Rent is 8k and maintenance is 1.5k,No gender bar
And flat has lift power backup ,so any one looking for Flat please let me know

like

What will be the take home for below?

Post Photo
like

Hi
I have a total 9.4 yrs of experience in multiple BU's like Customer Success, Product Development and Innovation, Project Management, Scrum, Agile, Business Analyst, BRD , MRD, FRD, Canva, Excel, amaging Deployment thru MobaXterm, Microsoft Accounts, Recruitment etc.
All in one package except coding i have done all the other Task in all streams of the company, benefits of working in startup.
Now I am looking for an opportunity to join in MNC.
Looking for a positive response from your team.

like

Additional Posts in Creatives

When they say RTO is mandatory

Post Photo
likefunny

Does your agency have a manager feedback system?

How do you explain that you’re available immediately without revealing you were laid off from your previous job?

Who works on Juul now?

like

i got some good news in my fortune cookie today!

Post Photo
likeuplifting

What’s up with agency creatives looking down on in-house creatives? I’ve been on both sides with super talented people. In fact, my in-house teams would often save the day when outside agency bombed.

likefunny

do you put tweets from a brand twitter account in your book? if so how?

not talking campaigns, but the daily tweets to show the brand has a personality* type

like

Who runs the Toyota dealership group in NYC?

Creatives of "sweatshop" agencies: how true are the working til 3am horror stories? How often do you have such late nights and what are your usual in/out times?

like

Both Callen and Opinionated released an ad today with a disembodied head. That’s all. Just thought you should know.

like

So you have a campaign that’s mediocre from a creative perspective, but grew the client’s business (a lot). Is that worth bringing up when negotiating a raise?

What would you rate as an A list agency, and a B list agency? (C list too.)

like

Anyone here attend The Book Shop in LA? How’d it go?

like

Any writers into strategy?!

like

What do y'all do as a side hustle? As a Junior I feel like I make a decent living, but am always a bit short on disposable income. I unfortunately don't think I have time to invest in freelancing.

helpful