How to Write a Video Production Brief: Template & Free Checklist

How to Write a Video Production Brief (With Checklist)

By the BeeHive Productionns team · Updated 17 October 2026 · 6 min read

Short answer

A good video production brief explains what the film must achieve, who it is for, the single key message, mandatory elements, where it will run, the deliverables needed, the budget range and the deadline. With these eight points, a production house can suggest the right idea and give an accurate quote instead of guessing.

The eight-point brief checklist

Objective: what should change after people watch? Sales, sign-ups, awareness, hiring or understanding.
Audience: who they are, where they watch and what they already think.
Key message: the one thing viewers must remember.
Mandatories: logo, product shots, claims, legal lines, brand guidelines.
Platforms: TV, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, website, events or internal use.
Deliverables: durations, aspect ratios, language versions and cut-downs.
Budget range: an honest range so the idea fits the money.
Timeline: launch date, approval steps and who signs off.

Helpful extras to include

Reference films you like, and ones you don't.
Previous campaigns and what worked.
Product samples, access to locations or people to interview.
Usage period and territories for talent and music.

Common brief mistakes

Asking one film to say everything.
Hiding the budget, which leads to ideas that do not fit.
Forgetting vertical and short versions until after the shoot.
Too many approvers with no final decision-maker.

Send your brief to BeeHive

Share your brief through the contact page or on WhatsApp at +91 84229 21544. A BeeHive producer usually replies within one working day with questions, an approach and an indicative budget.

Frequently asked questions

Should I share my budget with a production house?

Yes. A budget range helps the production house suggest an idea that fits, and makes quotes from different companies comparable.

How long should a video brief be?

One or two pages is usually enough if it covers objective, audience, message, mandatories, platforms, deliverables, budget and timeline.

What if I don't have a script?

That is common. A creative production house can write the script from your brief.

What happens after I send a brief?

The production house asks clarifying questions, then shares an approach, a timeline and an indicative or line-item budget.