Let’s Not Forget Post-Production

You have the video all planned out, then you have all the footage you need… then what? Time for the post-production! Post-production is not to be forgotten on the long journey of creating a video for your company. It is the final step in completing your project. The important thing to remember is that it is not as quick and easy as one might think at first. Post-production can require just as much planning and work as the other portions of the project combined. Therefore, it’s important to go in knowing that you will need to set a reasonable chunk of time aside.

WHAT IS POST PRODUCTION?

There are three stages in video production: pre-production, production, and post-production. Pre-production is planning out the rest of the production. This can include casting, location scouting, scheduling, hiring the crew, renting the equipment, creating a shot list and more. During production, the shot list is followed and the footage is accumulated using all of the materials and people collected through the planning stage. Post-production is when all of the footage and audio are sent to an editor/post-production specialist to piece together in order to create the final video.

WHAT HAPPENS FIRST?

Once ready to head into the post-production phase of a project, the editor, producer, client, and anyone else closely involved need to collaborate and be clear on what should be the focus of the work that is yet to come. Are there certain shots that should be marked to be in the final product? Should there be music or voiceover? Any special additions such as graphics, animation, color correction, or audio mixing? All of this is important to discuss right upfront so the process can be as smooth as possible.

NEXT? 

Once the editor is given all this information, he or she will create the first cut.  The first cut will be a rough draft of what the final product could look like.  Full disclosure: it will never be perfect the first time around.  That draft is shared with everyone involved, and they, in return, give their feedback.  This feedback helps the editor know whether he or she is heading in the right direction.  Through this collaboration, the editor is able to head back to work and continue with several more drafts until everyone is satisfied.

IS IT IN THE BUDGET?

All of this time translates into cost. If you want extra effects or certain things, that will all take more time and, therefore, cost more money. That is another reason why you want to be upfront about what you want and what you are willing to pay for. The editors are paid professionals, usually working on an hourly basis, so the more work they are given, the more time they are going to need to get it all done. So if you know you do not have the budget for a large post, then compromises will have to be made.

Post-production can make or break your video.  As Oswego Creative says, “the post-production process is where you can really refine the message you want to convey with your video.”  Understanding what you want in your video, effectively communicating that, and collaborating closely with the editor will allow for all parties to end up happy and satisfied.

Skillman Video Group LLC is a Boston video production company. Call us anytime at 1-800-784-0140.