Video Production Process Overview

VIDEO PRODUCTION PROCESS OVERVIEW Video production goes through three stages: 1. Pre-Production: The process of determining project objectives, requirements, schedule and production design. 2. Production: The process of capturing video footage outlined by the pre-production process, including interviews, presentations, planned or unplanned cover footage; this typically happens on location. 3. Post-Production: The process of logging, digitizing, editing, mixing and mastering the captured footage into a final master (DVD, tape or media file), which then can be duplicated and/or distributed. I. Pre-Production This is the most important stage for a successful video process and end product. If this stage is not done with thoroughness, care and attention, the whole process suffers, and the quality of the finished product will be compromised. We cannot emphasize enough the critical importance of the pre-production process, particularly planning. II. Production This stage is filled with capturing the content of the program. Time management is key. The focus is assisting the crew with the following: Photo releases and legal clearance to photograph and videotape both staff and clients; Arrival, accommodations (if overnight), transportation; Secured area at the site for storage of equipment; Someone familiar with building and people to accompany/facilitate crew and help maintain schedule; Misc.: Meals and rest periods. III. Post-Production The post-production is done by a professional video editor, with your input through the script and an approval/revision process, in which versions of the program (at various stages of completion) are sent to you for your approval and input before the final program is mastered. 1. Logging is the process of analyzing all the raw footage and noting appropriate parts to use in the program. 2. Digitizing is the process of converting the footage to digital file format on a computer-based editing system. 3. Editing is the process of piecing the video material to the script. This is the stage where any narration is done, and animations, music, logos and other elements are added. 4. Approval version of the program sent to you for your approval. 5. Mastering is the process of finalizing the video and performing color correction and audio equalizing. The program is then compressed, encoded and authored into the DVD format. Careful attention is paid to the graphic interface for the menu and the look of the on-disc printing. The master DVD is created and ready for duplication. Make sure there are safety copies made and stored at other locations.

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Video Production Process Overview

THE CREATIVE PROCESS FOR VIDEO PRODUCTION 1. Begin with your mission statement. 2. Determine the audience(s) and message(s). Describe five individuals you would like to target. The description should be as detailed as possible: Educational level, age, gender, geographic orientation; World view (political, social, economic, philosophical); Possible prejudices/assumptions; Income and vocation; Theological perspective. If you are unsure of this step, interview the kinds of people you would like to reach. Remember that DVD technology now allows for multiple programs on a single disc. Each program could be focused on a different message, audience or use. Digital editing allows repurposing footage for different uses and different programs. For example, Good Shepherd Communities used captured footage to create five different DVD programs, all on one DVD: 1. A main in-depth video; 2. History-of-agency video; 3. Clients and staff speaking about mission entitled In Their Own Words; 4. A Day in the Life (to give windows into their services, and the interaction of staff and client); 5. A music video around an original song written just for their agency, resulting in a beautiful and moving montage of their mission and work to music. 3. Consider the barriers you need to overcome. What fills peoples lives and heads when they encounter your message? Misconceptions; Past history; Myths and stereotypes; Prejudices; Other priorities. 4. Translate your mission statement for the audience. State what you do or who you are, using common vernacular and as few words as possible. (e.g. "Inventing the Future", "Protecting the Vulnerable"). Brainstorm as many as you can. Select five and "try them out" on your audience. Does it communicate and do something for the audience? Does it suggest a picture? Is it clichd? 5. Determine the part of your work that the audience will most care about: that which is closest to your mission. Your audience probably doesn't care about how you organize to do your work, the buildings you do it in or the titles of the management; De-emphasize structure and bureaucracy;

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Video Production Process Overview

Staff and structure exist to support the mission not vice versa; Where is there real human drama? How can you tap the audiences' self-interest or passion? What part of your work can the viewer experience? How much data and history is important to communicate? What symbols and pictures can you find or create to communicate the essence of what you do? Establish three achievable, measureable objectives for the program. 6. Consider production and distribution elements (all of which determine cost). Narrator: male or female, vocal quality etc.; Music: library or original; Stock footage; Days of shooting needed; Expertise of staff to carry out certain production or writing tasks; Existing footage; Length of presentation: determined by how and where viewed; Need for graphics, animation or artwork; Packaging and labeling of DVD; Establishment of a marketing and distribution plan. 7. Write a treatment. This is a description in two or three paragraphs of the style, the organizing principle and the basic flow of the presentation. It summarizes the story line or logical sequence from which the script is to be written. Approval of the treatment by the appropriate committee or person is important at this stage. 8. Write a shooting script. Create an outline of the script. Insert images, persons, locations, and events into the script. 9. Plan the shoot. Create a plan for maximum use of video crew. This requires cooperation of staff/ or clients. 10. Facilitate videotaping. 11. Log the captured footage. 12. Edit the footage into your program. You may ask for a rough edit before you give final approval; This is where dissolves, graphics, animation, music, titles, special effects and the like are added; You will receive an early review copy of the edit, sometimes called an answer copy. 13. Get approval.

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Video Production Process Overview

Get clearances from appropriate authorities without inviting approval by committee; It's important to use your imagination at this stage to find any problem. Once mastered, changes are more expensive; Check for spelling and correct credits; Be very specific with your feedback. 14. Master the finished DVD. 15. Duplicate, market and distribute the DVD. Label copy and design; Package design or standard generic package; Shipping cartons; What additional print information can be included in the package? 16. Research the effectiveness of DVD. Did we reach the three objectives we established and agreed upon at the start? What would we do different next time?

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