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

Some entertainment companies, including Lionsgate and AMC Networks, have partnered with AI companies, to help create more efficiency in areas such as marketing, preproduction and visual effects work.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

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

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

When he and his partner, singer Dua Lipa, aren’t being hounded by tabloids, he’s in preproduction on “Eternity” with Miles Teller and Elizabeth Olsen.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 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