Reccie
This is your recconocence. Here someone must scout out possible location that can be used for each scene. At each location a visual recored can be made (a good choice is using a polariod camera) along with notes listing advantages and disavantages of each area such as ease of access, size, avaliblity, natural light etc. Use this infromation the decide which locations you'll use.

Shooting Script
This assembles a geographical and temporal list of all the locations where you're going to shoot. You won't nessicerity film in the order the script dictates, you'll often film in a more logical order. Once you're at a location; film all the scenes that are set there, no matter what the narrative order of them. This list will also need to be co-ordinated with daylight/night-time, setting up and dismantling props and so on. Create your shooting script in a way that maximises time and location. Once you've got this add into it which members of the team you'll need at which location.

Props List
This is a list of everything you need for each scene when shooting. Cross reference this with the shooting script to ensure these is a props list for all the locations. List everything no matter how small and insignificant it may seem. This needs to cover everything that is required in both the narrative to objects that add to the overall vision of what your doing. This list should cover costumes right down to a hair brush! Once you got a list, make sure you know where everything on the list is.

Equipment List
Here you list every piece of technical equipment you will need to achieve a successful shoot is. This is similar to the Props List, but it covers the 'behind the scenes' equipment such as cameras, microphones, tapes, batteries, filters etc. Again, once you got a list make sure you know where everything on the list is.

Contacts Lists
Keep a list of contacts for the whole team. From actors to lighting crew. You may also find it useful to list other people who aren't on the list, but who's help or advice you may need. List all the contact numbers, emails and addresses you'll need here. You use this document as the process unfolds and it's useful to have it written down so information can be gleaned from it even in your absence.

Annotated Script/Storyboard
Finally, once you've covered all that it's time to make your own notes. Take a copy of the script and in the margin (scripts should have good margins! (See here for more details) make all the notes on which and where in the other documents you've created the correct information is located. Also make notes on any other facet you think will be useful. Throughout the process you'll be asked question after question, often about areas you are not currently focused on. Use this to aid you in dealing with these questions.

Log
When filming begins, it is a good idea to have some one recording each take. For each one they should note which one were suscessful, timings and the take number. This information will be invaluble at the editing stage.

Next we look at some useful Production Tips.