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CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
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VIDEO PRODUCTION
THE PRODUCTION PROCESS
From initial forays with VHS and many early budget productions using low-band and BVU U-Matic, most of our work in recent years has been shot on broadcast-specification Betacam or Betacam SP cameras, and edited in professional post production facilities.
All video production starts with a script - in some cases this is just a basic framework to shoot to and refine later when reviewing actual footage, in others the script is adhered to religiously as the written word is developed into moving pictures. In most cases the script is written in-house after close consultation with the client to establish the purpose and style of the programme and the how best to approach the target audience. In certain cases we may recommend a freelance writer with specialist skills, or work with a client's own creative staff to evolve a script that does justice to the proposed message.
Sometimes (but not always) this is worked up into a storyboard to clarify how we intend to create key sequences, or just to establish an agreed style for the programme.
Once the programme is 'blueprinted' in this way, location and/or studio shooting commences, and other components commissioned. These often include 3D graphics, a custom music soundtrack, and packaging design. With training programmes, it may be desirable to produce an accompanying booklet and other support material.
One of the main benefits of the increasing use of affordable personal computers is the plethora of software available to the video industry. Nowadays we can produce and manipulate high quality 2D graphic images in-house using a colour scanner and programs like Photoshop, rather than have to rely solely on expensive specialist graphics hardware. Ask to see the Hytec corporate programme, which uses many 'home made' frames.
Once all the components are available, we 'offline' the programme to produce a viewable rough cut. The picture quality at this stage is fairly poor, and many of the final mixes and other effects are absent, but the offline provides a final opportunity for fine-tuning the content and pace of the programme. Nowadays we usually use computer-based equipment like AVID to produce the offline.
Upon approval of the roughcut, a floppy disk containing all the logged edit points (every frame of every component is referenced to a special timecode) is loaded into the online edit controller and the final master tape is produced, utilising whatever technology is required (digital video effects, split screen, slow motion, chromakey etc.). In certain cases, the audio soundtrack is produced separately and synchronised to the finished master later. Upon approval, the master is copied for safety and the production copy used for bulk duplication.
Multi-camera location control centre
All our recent video production work has been shot using Betacam SP
camcorders to ensure the highest picture quality. We are currently
evaluating new digital formats like DVCAM and DVCPRO which
could bring lower budgets and new levels of flexibility.
PRODUCTION BUDGETS
Clients sometimes think that we charge according to finished length, but this is rarely important when budgeting a production. For example, we have produced one hour programmes for smaller budgets than five minute programmes.
Like anything, the cost depends entirely on the amount of time it will take to complete the project, and the complexity of 'bought in' services. To use a perfectly suitable local narrator for instance may cost just £500, a celebrity voice £15,000 for the same job!
If your company is planning to make a video, discuss with us at the earliest opportunity what communication problem the programme will solve. Is it to train or motivate staff or suppliers, is it to be used as a sales tool - and if so HOW will it be used?
If we think that a brochure, audio cassette or CD-ROM presentation will do the same job for less money, we will be able to discuss this with you right at the start and advise you accordingly.
For further information, please call
Stuart Peters
on
01624 621769 (from the UK)
or
++ 44 1624 621769 (from overseas)
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Updated 25/11/03 21:42