preproduction

American  

[pree-pruh-duhk-shuhn] / ˌpri prəˈdʌk ʃən /

noun

1. Movies. the steps necessary to prepare a film for production, as casting, choosing locations, and designing sets and costumes.

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adjective

1. occurring before production.

preproduction British  

/ ˌpriːprəˈdʌkʃən /

noun

1. preliminary work on or trial production of a play, industrial prototype, etc

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adjective

1. (of a period, model, etc) preliminary; trial

Etymology

Origin of preproduction

First recorded in 1935–40; pre- + production

Example Sentences

A late-night voice memo between Baldoni and Lively during the preproduction phase of "It Ends With Us" in 2023 gets leaked.

From Salon • Jan. 29, 2025

They began discussing it years ago in its initial preproduction stage before the pandemic, when the project was temporarily scuttled and recast.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2025

And now the actor is in preproduction for Prime Video’s “Spider-Noir” series, in which he’ll play journalist Robbie Robertson to Nicolas Cage’s 1930s-era Spider-Man.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 20, 2024

Audio sources come from Mann’s rough preproduction recordings, such as when he and Cruz discuss Laura and Enzo’s relationship long before the film’s shoot.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 16, 2024

If I had the financing for one of the five scripts that I have now I’d start preproduction tomorrow.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2024