Digital Corps

Reviewing Video Content as a JPM

Quick Tip!

The Video Team creates a wide array of content, so new JPMs might feel overwhelmed when learning how to give meaningful feedback during the review process.

This article will provide you with a solid starting point for reviewing most video content.

Helpful Staff for this Topic

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This is the typical review process for most video submissions:

Project Review Process

1. JPM
2. PM
3. Rob
4. Brandon

This article will cover overall considerations for the review as well as identify the most common video deliverables produced at the Digital Corps.

Overall Considerations

There are three main aspects of a video review to consider, regardless of the deliverable format.

1. Keep comprehensive notes during in-person discussions.
2. Provide detailed and specific feedback.
3. Pay attention to objective and subjective aspects of the submission.

Note-taking

Often, students and staff prefer to talk through their feedback in person. This can be an effective way to communicate changes, but it is critical that you keep a comprehensive record of the changes discussed.

You should also strongly encourage your Video Team members to take their own notes as well. Note-taking helps to keep the review process fast and efficient.

Detailed and Specific Feedback

Unlike other deliverables at the Corps, there isn’t a robust commenting system for video content. When giving video feedback, you will need to include the following:

• Exact time codes or time code ranges;
• Video-specific terminology OR layman terms that describe the issue clearly;
• If its a confusing or unique issue, consider meeting in-person to discuss it.
• If there is a visual issue, you can take a screenshot of the video and share it via OneDrive link in your feedback

Here is an example comment from the feedback:

“…from 0:16 until 2:12, the speaker’s audio is too quiet and there is background noise…”

Quick Tip!

There are many video terms used frequently in reviews. For example, someone might say, “Get rid of the jump cut at 1:32” or “There needs to be a fade to black at the end”.  For more terms, read this blog to start learning the basics.

Objective and Subjective Feedback

Objective feedback includes issues that are technically wrong with the video. Examples include:

• Are the names and titles correct in the lower-thirds?
• Has the subject been keyed correctly?
• Is the timing of assets correct?

Subjective feedback involves more of the “feel” of a video. These tend to be broader questions:

• Does the background music fit the content?
• Does this storyline achieve the original purpose of the video?
• Does the video evoke the overall desired response?

Staff members will catch some of the more advanced technical issues, but as the JPM, you should have a good understanding of the more objective aspects of a video submission.

Common Video Deliverables

To understand the most common video deliverables, you’ll need to understand the foundation of video production.

Video work at the Corps can be grouped into three main phases:

1. Pre-production: planning and prep-work
2. Production: collecting footage
3. Post-Production: asset creation and editing

The following deliverables are listed in the order they would typically occur.

For each deliverable, focus on understanding the primary purpose. This will help you learn what to look out for when reviewing video content.

Scripts

Purpose: Deliver information using the client’s desired style.

When reviewing video scripts, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is all of the required information included?
• Is the document free of grammatical and spelling errors?
• Are actions being described in detail?
• Does the script match the desired tone?

Storyboards

Purpose: Provide a visual understanding of how the final video will look.

When reviewing video storyboards, ask yourself the following questions:

• Can you tell what is happening box-to-box?
• Will the proposed actions work in the time limits of the final video?
• Are there any awkward pauses or rushed lines of dialog?

Proof of Concept

Purpose: After giving a pitch, use this as a bare-bones demonstration to determine if the idea will actually work as a video.

When reviewing a proof of concept, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the concept easy to understand (i.e. would a viewer “get it”)?
• Is this the best way to accomplish the initial goal?
• Would the full video be feasible based on timeline, budget, and team availability?

Rough Cuts or “First Cut”

Purpose: Establish the basic storyline and structure of the video.

When reviewing rough cuts, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the rough cut reflective of the previous storyboard and/or script?
• Does the rough cut use the best takes of the footage collected?
• Is there a clear storyline?
• Does the rough cut leave enough time for b-roll and any animated assets?

NOTE: At the Corps, rough cuts vary from employee to employee. Some people include just the bare essentials while others include elements that would typically be saved for a final cut. Either way, when you review a rough cut, your main focus should be the storyline and/or the assembly of the footage.

Quick Tip!

Brandon suggests reviewing rough cuts with your eyes closed! By removing visuals completely, you can focus directly on the storyline.

Final Cuts

Purpose: Create a client-ready video with all aspects of post-production complete.

When reviewing final cuts, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the audio clear and levels even?
• Is the b-roll engaging and relevant to the audio playing?
• Has it been color-corrected?
• Are all assets in place and timed correctly?
• Is there background music? Should there be?
• Have you done a final spell check of all on-screen text?

If you are JPMing a video-only project, this is often the final (or one of the final) milestones.

Wait, there’s more?

Yes, the Digital Corps offers a diverse set of video production services that go beyond the deliverables described above. There are fully animated video projects that involve balancing video and design timelines, social media videos that require a pitching process, and even 20-minute documentaries that have numerous rough cuts.

Starting out as a new JPM, there’s a lot to learn, but don’t be discouraged!

Don’t hesitate to ask Rob, Brandon, or anyone on the PM team if you have questions about how you can best review video content.