Digital Corps

Post-Production Tips

Quick Tip!

Communication is the most important part of post-production. Make sure all team members have the same vision and communicate along the way to help prevent confusion or delays to the timeline!

Helpful Staff for this Topic

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Post-Production Defined

Let’s start by defining post-production – the last of a three-step process in video production, occurring after pre-production and production. Post-production is the process of editing footage to produce a final product. This process is similar to putting together a puzzle where an editor puts pieces together to make the final product. But, just like when working on a puzzle, an editor must organize pieces and have an idea of what the final picture will be. Communication and visualization are vital to a successful post-production process.

The Post-Production Process

There are a few basic steps to follow in order to complete the post-production process. Often editors will skip right to working on a rough cut. However, at the Corps many projects are collaborative, so it’s important to have an organized project with a clear vision. These steps are vital when working in a group setting. Overall, the recommended best practices for the post-production process include:

1. Organize assets
2. Discuss goals and vision
3. Edit
4. Internal review
5. Client review

Post-Production Refined

Organize Assets

Organizing assets is the first step in post-production and begins when footage is uploaded to the server. That footage is then organized by naming files and separating footage in folders and bins. The same process is repeated with other assets like design elements, music, sound effects, and images.

Asset organization helps editors understand what content is available to incorporate into the final product. Because of this, it is best practice with the Digital Corps to organize video project files at the beginning of the post-production process. This ensures that if any shots were missed, they’ll be noticed early – or if there’s a unique and unexpected shot editors can incorporate instead. This process also makes it easier for collaborators to navigate the project. If someone else at the Corps who is not familiar with the project needs to work on it, clear file organization will make the process much easier.

At the Corps there is an existing template to use for all Premiere projects. This template includes a file organization system, which will help this step go faster.

Check out these templates:

• Premiere Project File Template:

  https://ballstate-my.sharepoint.com/:u:/g/personal/digitalcorps_bsu_edu/EW9jM8CqQaxJjaM3N4-UXA4Bccv7Lbc6Q5aELHEi9mIWiA?e=gvGQcr

• Custom Post Haste Template:

  https://ballstate-my.sharepoint.com/:u:/g/personal/digitalcorps_bsu_edu/EX9JVXPQnJRKuI6XldGAwqwBnjkgD4a5pm3KK9NFkcP3fg?e=h7wZSm

It’s mandatory to keep all footage and assets on the server or on OneDrive. Exported files should be stored on OneDrive, whereas project assets should be stored on the server. There are two primary video servers used by Corps employees: Mario and Luigi. There should be a folder with the title of the project on one of these servers and project assets are stored in that folder. Staff members can help employees navigate and connect to the server if there are any issues.

The media involved with the editing process must be imported from the server, not from the editor’s personal desktop. This will ensure that anyone at the Corps can work on a project without the need to recreate or relink missing media. Housing all content on the server or OneDrive will prevent unnecessary stress and asset loss.

When uploading exports to OneDrive it is best practice at the Digital Corps to name each successive version with a version number. So, the first version will be named “Project Title V1”, with each successive number indicating a new version. The most recent version of the project is named with the version number “CV” to indicate that it is the current version of the project. This helps prevent confusion by referencing outdated versions of a project.

Asset organization, though often skipped, is vital to the post-production process. This step will make the rest of the process much easier and help prevent issues early.

Quick Tip!

Use the project file template in the All Corps folder for any Premiere project. This will give editors a pre-made file organization system and make sure that a project is consistent with other projects.

Discuss Goals and Vision

Before someone can begin editing, it’s important to discuss both the goals and vision of the project. It’s important to know what the purpose of the video will be, as well as what the original vision for the final product was. This often comes in the form of a shot list or a storyboard, and can be used to help edit and organize footage.

If an editor wasn’t involved in the pre-production or production phases of a project, they may not understand how specific footage is meant to be incorporated, or why the final video needs to be edited in a certain way. To ensure everyone is on the same page, schedule a meeting or check-in to discuss the goals and vision of the project to help clarify these issues and prevent extensive feedback in the future.

There are a few questions to ask when discussing the goals and vision of a project:

• How will the client use this video? (e.g. on social media, through email, on YouTube, etc.)
• What information does this video need to share?
• Are there any design assets that will be included?
• Was there footage meant to be recorded in the production phase that did not happen?
• Is this video a part of a series?

Everyone who works on a project needs to understand the goal of the final product as well as the vision from the client. Clarifying both of these early in the post-production process prevents any misunderstandings that will delay the timeline after editing has begun.

Quick Tip!

JPM’s should check in with editors weekly, even before a rough cut is due. Keep an eye on the progress of the video before it is submitted for review. This will help prevent mistakes early and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

The Edit

The Story Line Cut

Once project assets have been organized and the goals of the project have been communicated, team members can begin to edit. The first version of an edited project is often referred to as the story line cut. A story line cut arranges all of the footage in the order they expect it to occur in the final version.

A story line cut typically does not include smooth transitions, cuts between camera angles, or graphics. The goal of this cut is not to create a final product, but instead to give editors an idea of how they will arrange footage and what pieces they want to use.

For smaller projects, a story line cut may not be necessary. In a larger project with lots of footage, a story line cut can add clarity to the whole production process for editors and collaborators.

Quick Tip!

A story line cut can help the team decide where to include graphics and design elements, as well as if there is any extra footage needed. That way designers and other team members can work on obtaining assets while the editor works on a rough cut.

The Rough Cut

A rough cut is an edited version of the project that includes all transitions, switches between camera angles, music, audio editing, and sound effects. While a rough cut may not include final versions of graphics or design assets, they should include placeholders where the graphics will eventually appear.

The first version of a rough cut can usually be edited from the story line cut. After the first rough cut is completed it will go through internal review, and edited based on any feedback. Each new version of a rough cut will also go through the review process.

It is possible for the rough cut to change direction during the review process. This may include changes to assets like music or sound effects, or a change to the story line that results in the need for a completely new rough cut. This step in editing is the most flexible and usually takes the most time.

Quick Tip!

If there’s a significant change to the direction of the project, begin a new rough cut in a different Premiere sequence. That way if the project reverts back to the original vision editors won’t have to re-do their work.

The Final Cut

After the rough cut has been through the entire internal review process it becomes the final cut of a project. The final cut is a version that has been completely edited and ready for release. This final phase of editing includes color correction and music, elements that tie the video together.

If a project is for an external client, then the final cut will need to be approved by the client as well. This could result in more edits or changes to the story line if the client has feedback about the project.

Quick Tip!

When an editor saves an exported video to OneDrive it’s important to select “Upload New Version”. This helps keep OneDrive organized and makes sure that anyone looking for the video doesn’t accidentally view an older rough cut.

Internal Review

The internal review process is vital for turning a rough cut into a final cut. Feedback on a project ensures that both the goal and vision of the piece are properly executed. However, sometimes the review process can get convoluted or a piece can get stuck in review.

Understanding the order of the review process is necessary when estimating the amount of time it will take for a rough cut to go through review. Typically the review process follows this order:

Project Review Process

1. JPM
2. PM
3. Team Lead
4. Brandon

When a review is sent to the wrong person in the review chain it can delay the project, or result in missed feedback that is important to the development of the piece.

The review process can also change. Large changes in a project sometimes constitute beginning the review process from the beginning again. Planning time for the whole review process is vital when planning the timeline of a post-production project.

Quick Tip!

If a review gets stuck or the feedback is unclear, meet in person! Working together on a project and asking questions about feedback will help ensure everyone is on the same page and that edits are made as intended.

Client Review

The client review process is often forgotten when creating timelines. Work created for external clients needs to be approved by clients as well as through the internal review process. The client review process could result in large changes to the project, or it could last a very short time. It’s important for JPM’s to communicate with staff members about client expectations and include time for client review in their timelines.

Quick Tip!

The client review process can take a long time. Make sure that any assets or files are all saved on OneDrive or the server in case the client requests edits much later.

Wrapping Up

At the Corps, students produce a variety of videos for internal projects and client deliverables. Everyone takes great pride in the effort put into delivering a tangible product from an initial idea. Through communication and organization during the post-production process, you can help make these projects as successful as possible.