Pre-Production — Everything You Need Before You Ever Hit Record

Most productions fail before a single camera turns on. In this episode, Dan Wathen breaks down the full pre-production process — from locking your idea and running pre-interviews to building a two-tab budget that covers production and post, finding a local crew when you're overseas, and planning travel for the unexpected.Real stories from a Paramount show, a documentary derailed by war in the Middle East, and a canceled flight in London that could have killed the whole project.If you've ever shown up to a shoot underprepared — this episode is for you.What's Covered:🎬 Locking the idea before anything else moves🎬 The pre-interview — why it's an audition, not a courtesy call🎬 Building a two-tab budget — production and post🎬 Music licensing, closed captioning, flat-rate editing🎬 Small crew strategy — gorilla filmmaking in church media and on a Paramount show🎬 Finding local crew and gear when you're not at home🎬 Timeline — always work backwards from delivery🎬 Travel rules — nonstops, early flights, travel agents, and backup plansFree Download:The Producer's Playbook — The planning system church media leaders use to walk into every production prepared. → drwmediaworks.com/playbookThe Producer's Seat — Private advisory for church media leaders stepping into producer-level responsibility. → drwmediaworks.com/the-producers-seatListen on:Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-producers-seat/id1896282413Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/5MRvRuCG5gQ1aIqSZ0kdFWConnect:YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@DRWMediaWorksWebsite → https://drwmediaworks.comLinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/in/dan-wathen-b94aa211Instagram → @danthetvmanX → @danwathenGot a question, a story, or something you’re working through in your media role? Text or leave a voicemail — your situation might become the next episode. Click here to send it in.