On our fourth and final article in the "Demystifying Video Production" series covers the Post-Production process, or simply called, "Post."
This particular series offers free informational pieces that include podcast episodes and written content about video production Best Practices. As our readers likely recall, they are designed both for those new to the video production process as well as those already familiar with video production.
Video Editing
Once the footage has been recorded, the next step is to edit the piece. Though different editors have different approaches to the process, The Video Garage's editing process starts with an “assembly edit” (the basic narrative or storyline laid out), and progresses through a "rough cut", "fine cut", achieving "picture lock" (the video in the piece is approved), and then putting on the finishing touches for the "final cut".
Along the way, you and your team offer notes and edits, and other changes for the editor to incorporate to craft the video according to your vision.
Motion Graphics
Reiterating what we covered in our pre-production article:
Motion graphics include animated logo "bumpers" at the beginning and end of the video, “lower thirds” (name/title of folks in the video placed in the lower portion of the screen), animated charts and graphs, signs, logos, or full action scenes. And of course, your vision could be to have the full video could be animated.
For basic bumpers and lower thirds, the process is relatively simple. Once the animator has your logo, brand guidelines, and names/titles of folks, they can create mockups for you to review/give notes on and iterate from there.
Music
Finding high quality license-free or inexpensive licensed music is not difficult. However, music is a key part of making the video as successful and effective as possible. Taking time to ideate and plan for choosing how best to incorporate music is an important step toward a great video!
Sound Design
Sound design is similar to color correction, but instead of video, this phase smooths out and "EQ's" all the audio within the piece. Once picture lock has been achieved, the various narration, music, sound effects, and beyond are adjusted to the industry-standard levels.
Color Correction
Color correction is the process of digitally adjusting the look of the various video footage in the video so that it matches and/or creates the desired creative effect. Video footage shot on different days, by different people, under different lighting conditions, and perhaps on different
Delivery Specifications
Your video production team can help you determine the best format, file size, resolution, and other delivery "specs" needed. Though we're listing this last here, a conversation/decision on the specs of the video should happen during the pre-production phase. Questions such as if the video is meant for "broadcast" (on TV), projection, online, for your website, a video hosting service, and so on, determine the specs needed for each particular project.
Next Steps:
This article is the end of this series, but the fun and learning
If you'd like the us to email you a quick note when each of the posts are live online (as well as links to our Video Garage podcast episodes, please click here. Or please check back on The Video Garage Resource page!
In the coming weeks, we will post written pieces and video/audio podcast interviews with our team that dig deeper into each of the three phases we touched on today.
----
About The Video Garage:
The Video Garage is a Boston-based media production company that specializes in high-end, B2B & Educational media production.
We partner with innovative and mission-based clients to realize their visions through professional videography, photography, 3D images, animation, and more.
Our goal is to become your long-term partner, and for every project to represent a pivotal moment in our client's success story.
We work with startups and research labs in the STEM space, small and medium sized businesses across virtually all industries, Fortune 500 companies, and world-class educational institutions in Boston, Cambridge and across the globe.
