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How to Plan a Video Using Shootsta's FREE Video Plan
By Justin · Published June 20, 2024 · Updated October 2026
Every good video starts with a plan that ties the project's objectives to the creative work. That plan sets the direction and tone of the video. It also keeps every stage, from scripting to post-production, pointed at the same goal.
To help you with this stage, we built the Shootsta Video Plan Template, a document that takes you through the planning work in order. It walks you through each part of the plan so nothing gets missed and the finished video lands with your audience the way you intended. The rest of this post goes through each section and how to use it in your business video production workflow.
Download the FREE Shootsta Video Plan Template
The Shootsta Video Plan Template is available for FREE to download now. Click the link below to get it. It is easy to use, and you can adapt it to fit the needs of each video project you run.
Use it to sort your ideas, keep track of the production details and check that every part of the video matches the creative vision you started with. Teams that plan this way spend less of the shoot day fixing things that should have been decided the week before.
Step 1: Write Your Brief
The "Brief" section
The Brief section of the Shootsta Video Plan Template lays the groundwork for the project. It is where you write down the core decisions that will guide the rest of production, so everyone works from the same page. Here is what each part of the Brief covers and why it matters:
01
Defining the project name and objectives
Start by naming the project so it has an identity the whole team can refer to. Then write down what the video needs to achieve. The objective might be brand awareness, sales or educating your audience. Whichever it is, a clear objective keeps the project focused and gives you something to measure each video against.
02
Identifying and specifying the target audience
Knowing who the video is for shapes every other decision. A defined target audience lets you tailor the message and the style to what those viewers need and prefer, which is what gets them to watch to the end. A small audience that watches closely is worth more than a bigger one that tunes out quickly and does not come back.
03
Articulating a single key message
Decide the one thing you want the audience to remember after watching. A single, clear key message keeps the video focused and stops you from crowding it with more information than anyone can take in at one sitting.
04
Choosing the right video style and references
The style should fit both your brand's personality and what the target audience likes to watch. A formal documentary-style piece and a fast-paced animated explainer reach very different viewers, so pick the one that suits yours. Add references, such as links to videos you admire, so the people making it can see what you have in mind.
05
Determining the call to action and distribution platforms
Decide what you want viewers to do after watching. That could be visiting a website, signing up for a newsletter or sharing the video with a colleague. Also note where the video will be shown, whether that is social media, an email newsletter or the company website, because the channel changes the format and the style.
06
Setting realistic timelines and video lengths
A timeline gives each phase of production a deadline, which is what stops the last-minute rush before a launch. Decide on the video length at this stage too. Knowing the length early changes how you structure the script and the scenes, and it saves a lot of cutting later.
Step 2: Story & Structure
The "Story and Structure" section
The Story and Structure section is where the creative idea starts to take shape. You use it to build a narrative that holds attention from the first second to the last. Here is how to use each part of it:
01
Capturing attention with an effective hook
The first few seconds decide whether someone keeps watching or scrolls on, so the hook matters more than any other line in the script. Open with a bold statement, a pointed question or a striking visual. The hook has one job, which is to make the viewer want to see what comes next.
02
Conveying the key message clearly in the introduction
After the hook, move into an introduction that sets up the rest of the video. State the key message early so viewers know the central theme. This is where you tell the audience what the video is about and what they get from watching it.
03
Delivering engaging content in the middle section
The middle is the core of the video, where you get into the detail. Use it to expand on the key message with the facts, stories or explanations that back up your main points. Keep it in order and keep it focused, so each piece of information builds on the one before and earns its place in the story.
04
Strategies for an impactful call-to-action at the end
The conclusion should restate the key message and ask viewers to take one specific action. Whether that is subscribing to a channel or visiting a website, make the call-to-action (CTA) clear and easy to follow. It should feel like the natural next step after what they have just watched.
05
Scripting and visual planning
Write the script in the left column of the template and plan the matching visuals in the right column. The two-column layout keeps what is said and what is shown in step with each other. For each line, think about whether the visual helps explain the point or adds feeling to the words.
Step 3: Call Sheet
The "Call Sheet" section
The Call Sheet section of the Shootsta Video Plan Template handles the logistics of the shoot. It is the one document that tells everyone involved where to be, when to be there and what to bring. Here is how to fill in each part:
01
Planning filming dates and locations
Begin with the filming dates and locations, written out in full so there is no room for confusion. Book and confirm each location before the shoot date, and sort out any location permits well in advance so they are not the thing that holds up the day.
02
Importance of detailed contact lists for all participants
Include a full contact list of everyone involved in the shoot, from crew to talent, with each person's role, phone number and email address. When a presenter is running late or a location falls through, you want the right number in front of you rather than a search through old emails.
03
Outlining the schedule for the shoot day
Lay out a timeline for the shoot day. It should list call times for everyone, the order of shots, meal breaks and the wrap time. A schedule like this gets the most out of the hours you have and keeps the crew on track.
04
Managing props and responsibilities for a smooth shoot
List every prop the shoot needs and give each item to a named crew member. That one step prevents the last-minute scramble and means the materials are on hand when the camera rolls. Set out the responsibilities for each team member in the same way, so each person knows their tasks and can prepare for them.
Practical Tips and Best Practices
Getting the most from the Shootsta Video Plan Template means adapting it to the video in front of you rather than filling in every box the same way each time. Here are some practical tips for using it well, whatever type of video you are producing:
1. Adapting the template for different types of videos:
The template adapts to different formats, whether that is a quick social media video, an in-depth tutorial or a corporate brand video. Match the depth of planning to the complexity and purpose of the video. A short promotional clip needs a simpler brief and a lighter call sheet than a multi-day brand shoot does.
2. Using the template to support team collaboration:
Treat the template as a shared document. Send it to your team and to the stakeholders who will need to sign off, and gather their input while the plan is still a plan. People who have had a say in the brief are far more likely to turn up on the day with their part ready.
3. Using the template to ensure consistency:
Use the template as the standard starting point for every project and your videos will begin to look and sound like they came from the same place. A shared starting point is how a house style forms, and a house style is what the audience learns to expect and trust.
4. Regularly updating and improving the template:
The more you use the template, the more you will spot sections that need refining or expanding. Update it as you go, adding sections or adjusting the ones that are there, so it keeps matching the way your team works. Ask the people who fill it in what they would change and build their suggestions into the next version.
Take Action and Transform Your Video Production
We encourage you to start planning your next video project with the Shootsta Video Plan Template. Whether you are making a short update video or running a brand campaign across several markets, the template takes the admin off your plate and leaves you more time for the creative work.
Get Expert Support for Your Video Projects
If you need support with planning, producing or editing your next video project, get in touch with Shootsta. Our editors in Sydney, London, Singapore and San Diego turn your footage into a first cut in about 48 hours, so the plan you write today can be a finished video by the end of the week.
Reach out today and tell us what you are planning. We will show you how the template fits into the way we work with you, from the brief through to the approved cut.
Keep reading
- How to Create Purpose-Driven Content
- Video Content Strategy for B2B Companies
- 5 Essential Elements of Successful Video Production
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