What teams should know (and decide) before a video is made
Before We Dive In: A Quick Clarification
Not all videos are made the same way, and not all editors do the same type of work.
Not all videos are made the same way, and not all editors do the same type of work.
● Video from footage (including stock footage) — starts with material that’s been filmed. The process focuses on selecting, cutting, arranging, and enhancing that material to tell a story.
● Motion graphics/animation — starts from scratch, using design, illustration, and animation software to build everything you see on screen.
Sometimes these two worlds overlap (for example, adding animated titles or graphics to filmed content). But they are different skill sets, and not every video editor is a motion designer, just like not every motion designer specializes in editing footage.
This guide walks you through the general workflow for each type, so you can understand what’s involved behind the scenes.
Example of a Stock Footage Edit
Video Editing Workflow (Footage + Stock)
Here’s what typically happens during a footage-based video edit, and where your decisions or input can help shape the process.
Here’s what typically happens during a footage-based video edit, and where your decisions or input can help shape the process.
● Format Planning (before editing starts)
The video format (square, horizontal, or vertical) should ideally be decided before editing begins — and even before filming. This ensures everything is framed and designed for the intended platform.
The video format (square, horizontal, or vertical) should ideally be decided before editing begins — and even before filming. This ensures everything is framed and designed for the intended platform.
Tip: Decide on the format, intended platforms, delivery formats, and any versioning needs (different lengths, sizes — square, horizontal, or vertical — or languages) before filming or editing begins. This helps avoid rework and keeps the process efficient.
Note: Working files (project files for future edits) aren’t typically included in standard delivery. If you’ll need them, it’s important to discuss this at the start of the project.
● Script (if needed)
If your footage-based video includes narration, structured interviews, or a planned storyline (such as many promos, explainers, or longer-form pieces), it helps to finalize the script early. This ensures clarity in messaging and guides editing decisions from the start.
Tip: Provide the script at the start of the project. Scripts are usually written by your team, a copywriter, or a content specialist — most video editors don’t handle script writing.
If your footage-based video includes narration, structured interviews, or a planned storyline (such as many promos, explainers, or longer-form pieces), it helps to finalize the script early. This ensures clarity in messaging and guides editing decisions from the start.
Tip: Provide the script at the start of the project. Scripts are usually written by your team, a copywriter, or a content specialist — most video editors don’t handle script writing.
● Storyboard (if needed)
If your footage-based video includes a script and voiceover — or follows a planned structure (like many promos, explainers, or training videos) — a storyboard helps map out scenes, plan shots, and guide the edit. It ensures everyone is aligned on the vision before editing begins.
If your footage-based video includes a script and voiceover — or follows a planned structure (like many promos, explainers, or training videos) — a storyboard helps map out scenes, plan shots, and guide the edit. It ensures everyone is aligned on the vision before editing begins.
● Voiceover (if needed)
If voiceover is part of the video, it should be finalized and recorded early. The VO becomes one of the key assets for editing and guides pacing and structure.
If voiceover is part of the video, it should be finalized and recorded early. The VO becomes one of the key assets for editing and guides pacing and structure.
Tip: Decide early if your video will include voiceover (VO).
● Organize & Review
Your editor gathers, reviews, and organizes all assets — footage, stock clips, music, logos, screenshots — to plan the story and structure.
Your editor gathers, reviews, and organizes all assets — footage, stock clips, music, logos, screenshots — to plan the story and structure.
Tip: Providing complete and organized materials at the start helps avoid delays.
● Rough Cut
The first draft of the structure comes together here. The editor arranges key clips to shape the story and remove anything unnecessary, focusing on flow.
The first draft of the structure comes together here. The editor arranges key clips to shape the story and remove anything unnecessary, focusing on flow.
● Refined Edit
The pacing is tightened, transitions are applied, and the video starts to feel polished and cohesive.
The pacing is tightened, transitions are applied, and the video starts to feel polished and cohesive.
● Subtitles (if needed)
Subtitles or captions may be added to support accessibility and make sure the message comes through clearly, especially for social media or multilingual audiences.
Subtitles or captions may be added to support accessibility and make sure the message comes through clearly, especially for social media or multilingual audiences.
● Graphics & Titles
Lower thirds, callouts, animated logos, and other visuals are added where they enhance the message without creating a distraction.
Lower thirds, callouts, animated logos, and other visuals are added where they enhance the message without creating a distraction.
● Color Correction / Grading
Colors are adjusted so the video looks consistent and polished. Color grading also helps set the mood — whether that’s bright and upbeat, soft and emotional, rich and cinematic, sleek and modern, or anything in between.
Colors are adjusted so the video looks consistent and polished. Color grading also helps set the mood — whether that’s bright and upbeat, soft and emotional, rich and cinematic, sleek and modern, or anything in between.
Tip: Decide the desired mood or tone early so grading supports it.
● Sound Design
Music, sound effects, and audio cleanup bring everything together, enhancing the tone and flow of the video.
Music, sound effects, and audio cleanup bring everything together, enhancing the tone and flow of the video.
● Feedback & Adjustments
You review a draft, share feedback, and the editor fine-tunes the video before final delivery.
You review a draft, share feedback, and the editor fine-tunes the video before final delivery.
● Final Review & Export
A last quality check ensures everything is ready. The video is then exported in the formats needed for delivery across platforms.
A last quality check ensures everything is ready. The video is then exported in the formats needed for delivery across platforms.
Special Note on Music-Led Edits:
When a video is paced tightly to music (such as a music video or rhythm-driven promo), the music is selected early, and the edit is built around it from the start.
When a video is paced tightly to music (such as a music video or rhythm-driven promo), the music is selected early, and the edit is built around it from the start.
Motion Graphics example
Motion Graphics / Animation Workflow
Here’s what typically happens during a motion graphics or animation project, and where your decisions or input can help shape the process.
Here’s what typically happens during a motion graphics or animation project, and where your decisions or input can help shape the process.
● Format Planning (before starting design)
The format (square, horizontal, or vertical) affects how elements are designed, spaced, and animated. It’s important to decide this up front so everything fits the final platform perfectly — reformatting later can nearly double the time and effort needed.
The format (square, horizontal, or vertical) affects how elements are designed, spaced, and animated. It’s important to decide this up front so everything fits the final platform perfectly — reformatting later can nearly double the time and effort needed.
Tip: Decide on the format, intended platforms, delivery formats, and any versioning needs (different sizes or languages) before design work begins.
Note: Project files (the editable files used to create the video) aren’t typically included in standard delivery.
● Concept / Script
Clarify what the video needs to communicate. This usually starts with a written script — especially if there will be a voiceover. For simpler pieces (like walk-throughs or social clips), key points might work, but the message needs to be clear from the start.
Clarify what the video needs to communicate. This usually starts with a written script — especially if there will be a voiceover. For simpler pieces (like walk-throughs or social clips), key points might work, but the message needs to be clear from the start.
Tip: Provide the script at the start of the project. Scripts are usually written by your team, a copywriter, or a content specialist — most motion designers don’t handle script writing.
● Storyboard / Animatic
Scenes and timing are sketched out to help visualize how graphics and motion will flow before detailed work begins. This ensures the editor and client are aligned on the vision before moving forward.
Scenes and timing are sketched out to help visualize how graphics and motion will flow before detailed work begins. This ensures the editor and client are aligned on the vision before moving forward.
● Voiceover (if needed)
If voiceover is part of the project, it’s finalized and recorded at this stage. VO sets the pace for the animation, so it comes before animating starts.
If voiceover is part of the project, it’s finalized and recorded at this stage. VO sets the pace for the animation, so it comes before animating starts.
Tip: Decide early if your video will include voiceover (VO).
● Design Assets
Shapes, icons, backgrounds, text, and other visuals are created or assembled. This is where the video’s visual style comes together.
Shapes, icons, backgrounds, text, and other visuals are created or assembled. This is where the video’s visual style comes together.
● Animate
The graphics are brought to life, adding motion, transitions, and effects that support the message and engage viewers.
The graphics are brought to life, adding motion, transitions, and effects that support the message and engage viewers.
● Sound Design
Music and sound effects are added to sync with the animation and enhance the overall experience.
Music and sound effects are added to sync with the animation and enhance the overall experience.
● Feedback & Adjustments
You review the draft, share feedback, and the editor fine-tunes timing, motion, or details as needed.
You review the draft, share feedback, and the editor fine-tunes timing, motion, or details as needed.
● Final Review & Export
A final polish and quality check ensure everything is ready. The video is then exported in the formats needed for delivery across platforms.
A final polish and quality check ensure everything is ready. The video is then exported in the formats needed for delivery across platforms.
Special Note on Music-Led Motion Graphics:
If the animation is meant to sync tightly to music, the timing and motion are built around that audio from the start.
If the animation is meant to sync tightly to music, the timing and motion are built around that audio from the start.
Key Decisions for Teams Requesting Video
Here’s a quick reference to help you plan and collaborate smoothly on your video project.
Here’s a quick reference to help you plan and collaborate smoothly on your video project.
For Video Editing (Footage + Stock)
✅ Decide on the video format (square, horizontal, or vertical).
✅ Confirm platforms, delivery formats, and any versioning needs (different sizes or languages).
✅ Decide early if the video will include voiceover (VO).
✅ Provide all final materials at the start (footage, stock clips, logos, graphics, music, screenshots, voiceover if needed).
✅ Provide a script (if needed) — most video editors don’t handle script writing.
✅ Approve the storyboard (if needed).
✅ Clarify the desired mood/tone for the video.
✅ Decide if captions/subtitles will be needed (for accessibility, social media, or multilingual use).
✅ Confirm if you’ll want working files for future edits.
✅ Complete any compliance or legal checks (e.g., rights for music, stock, logos).
✅ Align on timeline and key deadlines at the start of the project.
✅ Decide on the video format (square, horizontal, or vertical).
✅ Confirm platforms, delivery formats, and any versioning needs (different sizes or languages).
✅ Decide early if the video will include voiceover (VO).
✅ Provide all final materials at the start (footage, stock clips, logos, graphics, music, screenshots, voiceover if needed).
✅ Provide a script (if needed) — most video editors don’t handle script writing.
✅ Approve the storyboard (if needed).
✅ Clarify the desired mood/tone for the video.
✅ Decide if captions/subtitles will be needed (for accessibility, social media, or multilingual use).
✅ Confirm if you’ll want working files for future edits.
✅ Complete any compliance or legal checks (e.g., rights for music, stock, logos).
✅ Align on timeline and key deadlines at the start of the project.
For Motion Graphics / Animation
✅ Decide on the format (square, horizontal, or vertical).
✅ Confirm platforms, delivery formats, and any versioning needs.
✅ Decide early if the video will include voiceover (VO).
✅ Provide a script (if needed) — most motion designers don’t handle script writing.
✅ Provide all final materials at the start (logos, brand elements, screenshots, screen recordings, and any required graphics or assets).
✅ Approve the script and storyboard/animatic before animation begins.
✅ Decide if captions/subtitles will be needed (for accessibility, social media, or multilingual use).
✅ Confirm if you’ll want working files for future edits.
✅ Complete any compliance or legal checks (e.g., rights for music, graphics, fonts).
✅ Align on timeline and key deadlines at the start of the project.
✅ Decide on the format (square, horizontal, or vertical).
✅ Confirm platforms, delivery formats, and any versioning needs.
✅ Decide early if the video will include voiceover (VO).
✅ Provide a script (if needed) — most motion designers don’t handle script writing.
✅ Provide all final materials at the start (logos, brand elements, screenshots, screen recordings, and any required graphics or assets).
✅ Approve the script and storyboard/animatic before animation begins.
✅ Decide if captions/subtitles will be needed (for accessibility, social media, or multilingual use).
✅ Confirm if you’ll want working files for future edits.
✅ Complete any compliance or legal checks (e.g., rights for music, graphics, fonts).
✅ Align on timeline and key deadlines at the start of the project.
Getting these decisions clear from the start helps ensure a smoother process and a stronger final result.
Grab the PDF version for a quick recap.