Production Process— a roadmap from brief to broadcast
The More Pleasant contract is signed and the kickoff call is done. Pre-production is now underway — we’re awaiting the cast style direction while the rest of the machine moves forward. This is the roadmap: casting, logistics, production days, integrated photography, and post — keeping Lightbox, Together With, and CHRISTUS perfectly aligned from here through final delivery.
How Lightbox brings a story to life
Every Lightbox production moves through four connected phases. Each has clear owners, checkpoints, and review moments so nothing slips and the creative stays on brand.
Pre-Production
Creative alignment, scripting, casting, location scout, crew, schedule, and call sheets.
Production
Motion capture and still photography shot side-by-side across three days — one integrated campaign, two deliverable formats.
Post-Production
Editorial, color, sound design, motion graphics, photo retouching, and review rounds.
Delivery
Final masters, social cutdowns, photo galleries, and brand-safe archive handoff.
What happens between today and camera-up
Pre-production is where the shoot is actually won. Over the next ~2.5 weeks, we lock creative, cast talent, secure locations and permits, build the crew, and finalize a complete production book.
Creative & Script WEEK 1
- Creative brief lock
- Script / interview questions v1 → v2
- Shotlist & storyboards
- Look & tone reference deck
- Photography shot plan (Apr 13–15)
Logistics WEEK 1–2
- Mount Pleasant scout + basecamp lock
- Permits, COIs, releases
- Crew booking — DP, gaffer, sound, PA, stills photographer
- Equipment & grip package (motion + stills)
- Travel, lodging, catering, prep day arrival
Collaboration & Brand ONGOING
- Weekly status calls
- CHRISTUS brand guideline review
- Wardrobe & talent approvals
- Call sheet & schedule sign-off
- Final pre-pro book
Finding the right faces for CHRISTUS
- Character briefWe translate the script into 3–5 talent profiles aligned to the CHRISTUS audience and the warmth of the More Pleasant tone.
- Casting callReleased to our vetted network plus local Mount Pleasant / East Texas talent pools for authentic regional representation.
- Self-tape auditionsCandidates submit short self-tapes to a shared review link within 4–5 days.
- Lightbox top picksOur team watches every submission and curates our recommended top picks — actors we would personally cast — with short notes on why each one fits the role.
- Shortlist reviewOur top picks and a broader shortlist of 6–8 are presented in a single branded review reel for feedback and sign-off.
- Callbacks & chemistryVirtual or in-person callbacks with direction notes; confirm availability for shoot dates.
- Booking & paperworkTalent agreements, usage terms, wardrobe sizing, and call times locked.
- Wardrobe & prepWardrobe pull aligned to the CHRISTUS palette; table read / rehearsal if needed.
On set — Mount Pleasant, Apr 27–30
A dedicated prep day the day before camera-up, then three full shoot days capturing video and stills for the same campaign, then a wrap day to strike, back up media, and transition into post. Basecamp location in Mount Pleasant TBD during the scout.
Prep Day — Arrive & Set Up
Team arrives in Mount Pleasant, basecamp setup, equipment check-in, department walkthroughs, final talent fittings, production meeting. Ready to roll camera first thing Monday.
Day 1 — Principal Video + Stills
Crew call, safety briefing, hero interviews and scripted scenes. Stills photographer shoots the same campaign alongside motion — branded portraits and key frames captured between and during setups.
Day 2 — B-roll, Environment & Lifestyle Stills
Location b-roll, facility and community moments paired with lifestyle photography for the same campaign. Second-unit pickups as needed.
Day 3 — Talent, Portraits & Pickups
Remaining talent scenes, dedicated campaign portrait session, and safety pickups against the shotlist.
Wrap & Handoff
Strike, return rentals, dual-drive media backup for both motion and stills, select pulls, and post-production kickoff.
From footage to finished, brand-ready assets
Editorial
- Assembly cut
- Rough cut v1 — first review
- Fine cut v2
- Picture lock
Finishing
- Color grade in CHRISTUS palette
- Sound design & mix
- Motion graphics & lower thirds
- Licensed music & clearances
Photo & Delivery
- Photo selects & retouch
- Branded gallery link
- Hero + social cutdowns (16:9, 1:1, 9:16)
- Final masters & archive
What needs to be done by when
Kickoff call — done
Kickoff call complete, creative brief confirmed, casting brief written. Currently awaiting the cast style direction to move casting forward.
Script, shotlist & casting call live
Script v1, shotlist v1 (motion + stills), casting call released to talent network as soon as cast style is received.
Photography shot plan
Dedicated stills plan built next week — hero portraits, lifestyle, and campaign frames aligned to the motion shotlist.
Scout Day — Mount Pleasant
Triggered as soon as the shotlist is locked. Director, DP, producer, and stills photographer travel to Mount Pleasant to walk locations, pull reference, confirm sun paths, and lock basecamp (location TBD — identified during the scout).
Crew booking & permits
Permits in motion, DP and key crew confirmed, equipment list finalized, basecamp logistics booked.
Casting shortlist ready
Branded casting review link ready for feedback, including Lightbox’s top picks.
Callbacks
Final chemistry reads; wardrobe sizing collected.
Talent locked & contracts signed
All releases, COIs, and talent paperwork complete.
Production book delivered
Script lock, shotlist lock, schedule, call sheets draft, wardrobe approvals.
Tech check & final call sheets
Camera and lens tests, final call sheets sent to cast and crew.
Prep Day — arrive & basecamp set up
Crew travels in, basecamp stood up in Mount Pleasant, departments walk through, fittings finalized, production meeting. Cameras ready for first call the next morning.
Production — Mount Pleasant
Three shoot days: video + photography.
Wrap & post kickoff
Strike, backups, selects, post begins.
Assembly & rough cut v1
First review link delivered.
Fine cut, color, sound, graphics
Second review round.
Final revisions & photo gallery
Picture lock; final retouched photography gallery.
Final delivery
Masters, social cutdowns, photography, and archive handed off.