Previsualizing shots before filming has transformed the film and television industry. It reduces the need for physical sets, minimizes reshoots, and streamlines production pipelines.

You might be surprised to learn that previsualization can cut location-related costs by 25-40% of a production budget. This represents massive saving potential for any filmmaker. Virtual production with proper previs lets filmmakers view virtual sets, characters, and VFX instantly, make faster decisions, and adjust scenes in real time. You can create realistic environments digitally, rather than spending thousands (or even millions) on physical shoots. This approach reduces both cost and carbon footprint.

This guide will help you master film previsualization, covering techniques, tools, and real-world applications that streamline your workflow while protecting your budget.

What Is Film Previsualization?

Previsualization — often called previs, previz, or pre-vis — is the process of creating visual blueprints of scenes before physical production begins. It helps filmmakers map out their creative vision with precision, testing camera angles, blocking, and VFX long before the first day of shooting.

Historically, previs began with early storyboarding in the silent film era. Disney Studios formalized the “storyboard” in 1928, using drawn panels to outline action and comedic beats. By the 1930s, storyboards were standard across studio productions.

A significant leap occurred in the 1970s when video equipment became affordable. Sony’s U-Matic systems allowed agencies to create animatics for TV commercials. Then, the original «Star Wars» trilogy revolutionized cost-effective planning for complex VFX.

Digital previs exploded in the 2000s with the rise of consumer-accessible 3D software. Today, previs can include:

• Storyboards and concept art
• Animatics (animated storyboards)
• 3D blocking and mocap
• Shot lists with technical details
• Virtual location photography
• Full 3D environments and characters

Why It Matters in Modern Filmmaking

Previs has grown from a niche tool into a vital pillar of filmmaking. Directors, cinematographers, and supervisors use it to experiment with blocking, lighting, and camera movements without spending production money.

Previs supervisor Eric Carney, co-founder of The Third Floor, describes previs as “a Swiss army knife” that supports every department, not just VFX.

It provides:

• Clear story refinement
• Early detection of narrative or technical issues
• Stronger communication between departments
• A reliable blueprint for production

Financially, it empowers teams to pitch ideas without wasting resources and identify risks early. Creativity expands too — small previs teams can explore stylistic options, scene transitions, and story flow in ways physical sets can’t match.

Today, previs is used in productions of every size, driven by advances in virtual production and real-time tools.

Types of Previsualization Techniques

Previs today ranges from simple sketches to complex virtual worlds. Each technique has unique strengths depending on your budget and technical needs.

🖼 Storyboards and Shot Lists

Storyboards remain the foundation of previs. Since the early 20th century, they’ve illustrated key frames, movement, and composition.

Shot lists complement them by documenting:

• Camera placements
• Movements
• Lenses
• Equipment needs

A well-built shot list becomes your technical roadmap.

🎞 Animatics and Motion Boards

Animatics bring storyboards to life with basic motion, timing, and sound. Affordable video tools in the 1970s popularized them, especially Sony’s systems.

They rely on keyframes to test pacing and narrative rhythm — allowing filmmakers to evaluate timing before expensive production begins.

📽 3D Previs and Virtual Cameras

3D previs evolved dramatically, with early use credited to «Star Trek V: The Final Frontier» in 1988, animated by Lynda Weinman. It creates full 3D environments where directors test lighting, blocking, and spatial relationships.

Virtual cameras enhance 3D previs by letting creators “film” inside digital worlds using devices like iPads — a more intuitive approach for many directors.

🎮 Real-Time Previs with Game Engines

Game engines like Unreal Engine and Unity deliver instant photoreal previews, eliminating long render waits. Directors adjust scenes in real time.

This technique shines in virtual production, with motion capture and VR tools enabling digital location scouting, blocking, and lighting setups.

Interestingly, «The Abyss» (1989) marks a milestone where James Cameron’s team adapted early 3D game tech for previs.

Essential Tools and Software for Previs

Modern previsualization uses specialized tools that turn ideas into production-ready plans.

🥽 Blender and Maya for 3D Previs

Two industry leaders:

• Blender — free, powerful, ideal for indie productions
• Maya — studio-standard, precise, complex, $1,785/year

Advantages:

• Maya integrates seamlessly into big studio pipelines
• Blender accelerates modeling and offers a friendly interface

⚡ Unreal Engine for Real-Time Environments

Unreal Engine revolutionizes previs with:

• Instant rendering
• Nanite geometry for ultra-detailed assets
• Photoreal virtual environments

As Richard Graham of Framestore notes, Unreal helps teams achieve a higher visual finish earlier, informing creative choices across production.

🕺 Motion Capture and Camera Tracking

Tools like OptiTrack provide high-accuracy mocap with minimal delay. Ncam Reality delivers real-time camera tracking, enabling directors to see VFX during live shoots.

💡 Choosing Tools Based on Budget

• Low-budget: ShotPro ($30)
• Mid-range: Blender
• Studio level: Maya + Unreal Engine

You don’t need every tool — mastering one solidifies your previs workflow.

How Previsualization Saves Money

Previs is both a creative asset and a financial strategy.

🌍 Reducing Location and Set Costs

Virtual environments replace costly real-world shoots. For example, «Society of the Snow» used previs to determine exactly which plane sections needed physical builds — nothing more.

🎬 Minimizing Reshoots and Post-Production Costs

The biggest savings come from avoiding mistakes:

• Spot issues early
• Prevent costly fixes in post
• Map out technical risks

Fixing a problem in previs costs a fraction of fixing it on set.

👥 Streamlining Crew and Equipment

Previs helps teams:

• Cut time wasted on set
• Pre-plan camera angles and lighting
• Improve communication

This results in fewer shooting days and smaller equipment rentals.

🗓 Improving Planning and Scheduling

A previs-based production bible supports:

• Accurate timelines
• Resource allocation
• Fast decision-making

Skipping previs often leads to higher costs later.

Applying Previs in Real Productions

Previsualization now benefits everything from commercials to blockbusters.

📺 Previs in Commercials and Shorts

Tools like Backlot allow clients to give feedback early, reducing tension and enabling flexible creative changes.

🎥 Case Studies from Feature Films

• Framestore PPS used FarSight Go for «Paddington in Peru»
• The Third Floor choreographed dragons in «Game of Thrones»
• Marvel relied on previs throughout «Avengers: Infinity War»

🎞️ Integrating Previs into Your Workflow

Treat previs as a guide, not a rigid plan. Early adoption lets teams:

• Test visual storytelling
• Troubleshoot issues
• Maintain continuity

This balance saves money while preserving creative freedom.

Final Thoughts: Why Previsualization Is Now Essential for Every Production

Previsualization is one of the most potent tools modern filmmakers can use. It evolved from simple sketches into advanced real-time systems that optimize production.

Filmmakers using previs gain:

• Clearer creative control
• Higher efficiency
• 25 - 40% savings on location costs
• Fewer reshoots
• Better planning and team coordination

Previsualization isn’t an extra expense - it’s an investment that multiplies savings at every stage of production. Mastering these techniques helps you bring stories to life with both creative freedom and financial discipline.