When we're working with you to produce your video, there are key stages that we typically work through.
Pre-production
The pre-production process starts by taking the key content of the video and turn it into a script with visual cues and start planning the style of the video according to your preference and examples you provided.
Normally the script consists of two columns; one side will outline what you see and happens on screen and the other one outlines what you hear at any specific time.
If we are planning an interview, the script is more of a guideline to have an idea of the content that needs to be covered (unless it needs to be specific due to the subject matter). We therefore recommend having bullet points that you or any other interviewees can review on the lead up to the filming.
This stage of production is crucial as, in our experience, the more we plan each project the better the final result so take your time in thinking about what you want the outcome to be.
The final version of the script is a team effort - if you have an idea, get in touch and we can help with editing it. You don’t need to have a perfect final version before coming to us - we can help!
The best scripts tend to:
- Be natural, engaging and interesting - edit the wording and make the script/notes your own
- Be to the point, short and easy to understand
- Sound good when read aloud
- Convey your core message without too many details.
At this stage it is always good to start thinking about any images or cutaways that you'd like us to use.
Production
Unless the project we are working is an animation, the production stage normally entails filming. It doesn't matter how long the script is, preparing for filming and having a clear idea of what you need to say is an essential step.
Sometimes, the fact that you are confident delivering a talk in front of a room full of people doesn’t mean that you will find it easy to be in front of the camera.
That said, as a team we always do our best to make our interviewees comfortable and help work out the best way of explaining difficult concepts in video format.
We often remind people that they can do the same section multiple times and we tend to re-film the first couple of questions again at the end as by that that point the interviewees are more relaxed and will perform better.
Here are some of the information that we will need to prepare with you for filming:
- Filming location
- Filming schedule
- Shot list
- Interview questions
- Consent forms
- Risk assessment(s)
- Filming permission on campus and/or off-site location agreement to be signed
- Contingency plans if anything goes wrong
DO's and DON'Ts of filming
- Don't wear jingly jewellery
- Don't wear really bright colours or patterns
- Don't wear or say anything that dates the video (I.e. saying "last week" etc.)
- Do ask us questions
- Do relax and smile!
Post-production
During post-production we put together all the elements and this is when your video comes to life.
Here are the different stages of interview editing:
- Assembly - all the relevant interview footage is topped and tailed. This means getting rid of the questions the interviewer might be asking/mistakes so that all that is left is the useable footage;
- Rough edit - this is where the storytelling starts taking shape. Please note that at this stage it is important to just listen to the content as the visuals will contain jump cuts etc. It’ll all be polished in the next editing steps;
- Fine edit - we add relevant shots to the talking head (bespoke or stock) - this is both for keep the viewer interested and to cover up jump cuts;
- Final cut - we then polish the fine edit by colour grading the footage, adding music, logos and any graphics until we have the final product.
Watch this video to have a visual understanding of the steps described above - https://youtu.be/q1tk-u6dpe8
We would normally send our key contact a version of the video after each step is completed. The most effective way for us to get feedback from you, is to have a comprehensive list of all the changes that need to be made with time codes attached to each change.
In order to do this, you will need to collate all the feedback from all the people involved in the project and then send it to us. The reason behind this is that if there are multiple lists of changes that come at different times for the same version of the video, then the production time (and potentially costs) will increase.
To let us know of any changes that need to be carried out, please mention the time codes and words mentioned at the start and end of the section we need to edit/remove/add/move. (i.e. from 0.55 “Lorem ipsum…” to 1.33 “...id est laborum.”)
The best videos:
- Contain all the core message of the brief and script but are as short as possible
- Are easy to understand and follow, no matter what subject they are about
- Are visually interesting and use cutaway material to keep the viewer hooked
- Motivate people to find out more, rather than give too much information all at once
Depending on the type of project we have agreed on, we can then add:
- Graphics
- Special effects
- Music and sound effects
- Logos