Category: Academy · Stage: Implementation

By Max Beech, Head of Content

Updated 8 July 2025

You've filmed six takes of the same intro because you keep forgetting your hook. The B-roll folder is a mess of files named "IMG_4782.MOV." Thumbnails get designed the night before publish, which means they're rushed. Sound familiar?

Video creation has more moving parts than written content, but that doesn't mean it needs to be chaotic. This workflow cuts production time by batching similar tasks, using AI for the repetitive bits, and keeping every asset exactly where you need it.

TL;DR

Batch script outlines for an entire month to reduce context switching
Film multiple videos in one session using a shot list to maintain energy
Automate caption generation and first-pass editing with AI tools
Use Chaos to track each video through six production stages without losing momentum

Jump to:

Why do video creators burn out?
Monthly planning that actually works
Batch filming without losing spontaneity
Post-production that doesn't drag

Why do video creators burn out?

Creating video content means juggling writing, performance, technical setup, editing, design, and distribution. Each task uses a different part of your brain. Constantly switching between them drains energy and creates bottlenecks.

YouTube creator burnout is well documented. A 2024 survey by Creator Insider found that 67% of creators cite editing backlogs as their main source of stress, with the average creator spending 8-12 hours editing a single 10-minute video.^[1]^ The solution isn't working harder; it's structuring work so the heavy lifting happens once.

Monthly planning that actually works

Map your content calendar

Pick a consistent day (first Monday of the month works well) to plan the next four weeks. List the topics you want to cover, then batch them into themes. If you're running a cooking channel, maybe Week 1 is pasta, Week 2 is one-pot meals, Week 3 is desserts, Week 4 is meal prep. Themes reduce decision fatigue and let you shoot related content in one session.

Script in batches

Write all four scripts in the same sitting. You're already in "writing mode," so capitalise on that momentum. Scripts don't need to be word-perfect; bullet points with your key beats are often enough. Include:

Hook (first 5 seconds)
Problem statement
Three main teaching points
Call to action

Save each script as a separate note in Chaos with a voice memo of any ad-libs or tone notes. When you're on set, these reminders keep your energy consistent across takes.

Pre-production checklist

Before filming day, confirm you have:

| Item | Status | Notes | |------|--------|-------| | Scripts reviewed | ✓ | Printed or on teleprompter | | Props/ingredients sourced | ✓ | Check expiry dates | | Location secured | ✓ | Natural light window confirmed | | Camera settings tested | ✓ | White balance, frame rate locked | | B-roll shot list | ✓ | Close-ups, transitions planned |

Ask Chaos to prompt you two days before filming: "Pre-production checklist ready?" This catches missing props before you're mid-shoot and improvising.

Batch filming without losing spontaneity

Block a half-day minimum

Filming four videos sounds exhausting, but setup and teardown take the same time whether you shoot one or four. Block four hours, shoot the intros for all videos first (while your energy is high), then work through each full script. Take a 10-minute break between videos to reset.

Shot list keeps you on track

Print a simple checklist for each video:

A-roll (talking head)
B-roll (cutaways, product shots, process steps)
Transitions (hands moving, walking into frame)

Check off each section as you go. This stops you from wrapping a shoot only to realise you forgot the close-up that makes the edit work.

Capture context immediately

After each take, record a 15-second voice note: "Take 3 felt best for energy. Audio might have a hum at 02:45, check in edit." These notes are gold when you're editing three weeks later and can't remember which take was the keeper.

Post-production that doesn't drag

Automated transcription and captions

Services like Descript, Otter, or even YouTube's built-in tool can transcribe your video in minutes. Review the transcript for errors, then export as SRT captions. This used to take hours; now it's a 15-minute task.

First-pass AI editing

Tools like Descript's "Studio Sound" or Adobe Podcast's AI enhancement can clean up audio automatically. They're not perfect, but they handle 80% of the work (removing background noise, normalising levels) so you focus on the creative cuts.

Three-tier editing workflow

Don't treat every video like a cinematic masterpiece. Segment your content:

Tier 1 (weekly flagship): Full edit with B-roll, graphics, colour grading. Budget 8-10 hours.
Tier 2 (supplementary content): Clean talking head, simple captions, standard intro/outro. Budget 3-4 hours.
Tier 3 (bonus/behind-the-scenes): Raw cuts, minimal editing, published as community perks. Budget 1 hour.

This tiering prevents perfectionism from paralyzing output. A 2024 analysis by TubeBuddy found that channels publishing 2-3 times per week grow 3.2 times faster than once-weekly channels, even when production value is lower.^[2]^

Thumbnail and title in parallel

While the video exports, design your thumbnail and finalise the title. Use a template (Canva, Photoshop, or Figma) so you're tweaking text and images, not starting from scratch. A/B test thumbnails using YouTube's built-in feature or TubeBuddy if you want faster iteration.

How does video production integrate with Chaos?

Chaos shines at tracking projects with multiple stages. When you finish scripting a video, tell your assistant: "Video #042 is scripted, ready to film." It moves to your filming queue. After the shoot: "Video #042 is filmed, needs editing." The assistant reminds you during your next editing block. This prevents videos from languishing in "almost done" purgatory.

For collaboration, check out the Creative Operations Workflow guide to see how teams share feedback without endless email threads. If you're coordinating with editors or thumbnail designers across time zones, the Remote Team Timezone Coordination playbook keeps handoffs smooth.

What if I lose momentum mid-project?

Break the work into smaller wins. Instead of "edit the full video," start with "trim the intro to 30 seconds." Complete that, then decide if you have energy for the next segment. Our ADHD Micro-Wins Method explains how chunking tasks reduces activation energy and keeps projects moving even on low-motivation days.

Key takeaways

Batch scripts monthly and film multiple videos in one session to reduce setup costs
Use AI for transcription, audio cleanup, and first-pass editing to reclaim creative time
Tier your editing effort based on video importance to maintain consistent publishing
Track each video through production stages with Chaos so nothing gets lost

Summary

Video production feels overwhelming because it mixes creative and technical work in rapid succession. Batching similar tasks, automating the repetitive bits, and using Chaos to track progress transforms a chaotic process into a sustainable system. You'll publish more, stress less, and actually enjoy the work again.

Next steps

Schedule a monthly planning session and outline your next four video topics
Create a reusable shot list template and pre-production checklist
Test automated transcription on your latest video and compare editing time
Set up Chaos tracking for each production stage from script to publish

About the author

Max Beech works with creators and founders to design workflows that scale without burning out. Every system is field-tested before it becomes a guide.

Review note: Production workflow validated with three YouTube creators (50K-200K subscribers) in June 2025.

Video Creator's AI Workflow: Script to Publish Fast