Video creation is organized in many steps: planification, conception, production and… postproduction. This last step is crucial and combines different techniques of product finalization: video and sound editing, special effects addition.
Why did we choose this subject? Many people tend to underestimate this step while planning their video campaign, whereas postproduction sometimes requires at least as much efforts and resources as production itself.
Therefore, here are 8 postproduction steps to take into account when you plan your video strategy.
1- Voice-over recording
Voice-over is a narration recorded separately and inserted in the video content afterwards. Voice-over can be very useful for explaining image content and make it easier for the user to understand the video.
This step must not be neglected: The point is not to insert a voice on a video, you want to find THE perfect voice for your video! Do you seek for a reassuring tone? Dynamic? Formal? With or without accent? If you have questions about this subject, you should probably work with a specialised narrator, who will guarantee an optimal result. Of course, you have to take into account your needs for recording, synchronization, mixing and mastering, and you will have a better idea of what you need.
2- Data acquisition and organization
Once filming is done and voice-overs are recorded, it is time to collect all the data, gather it and organize it. Of course, you can optimize your time by planning as precisely as you can, but it is a full time job. Make sure you organize your resources regarding the workload and deadlines.
3- Video sorting and editing
When sorting, the editor must select content of quality which will be most relevant for the video. Once the video extracts have been selected and images synchronized with the appropriate sound, the final video can be edited. Each extract will be placed in order, with titles, transitions and other additions needed for the global understanding. This step requires a gathering of different elements: what have been prepared during conception, the video content, and other elements that may have been added meanwhile.
4- Special effects addition
Special effects require different techniques in order to bring value to the content, to accentuate important elements or just to bring something different to the general video atmosphere. More and more used and common, special effects can be made of 3D graphics, animations, digital processing, etc. You might also need specialized technicians (motion designers, 3D animation specialists, special effects specialists) to reach your goals.
5- Sound editing
It is time for the sound engineer to be part of the final product. However, for simpler projects, the editor can take care of this part. In any case, sound editing requires an harmonization and balance of all audio tracks, and to add other sources if needed to complete the final product (noises, sound effects, music and… voice-over).
While many people underestimate this production step, it is important to consider sound as an essential element for the global product, instead of a video complement. A bad sound composition or a poor sound quality can become irritating for the viewer, and distract them from the video content. Therefore, it is essential to make sure this step is carefully realized by experimented technicians.
6- Review and Finalization
To make sure video quality is right, it is crucial to take a step back from the project and analyze it in an objective way. This step allows producers to correct any mistake there might be. Do not forget that you can still seek for external advice to help you, criticism makes you stronger when it is constructive. Corrections can be made to the video before ending the final version.
7- Mastering and delivery
This step represents the video finalization. The video is reverified, delivered and exported in one or more chosen formats. For a professional video, you better choose a mastering studio for this kind of tasks. Specialists know the industry perfectly and will be the most capable for the job.
Postproduction: a step not to underestimate
As mentioned before, postproduction combines various production steps. While digital revolution allowed editing softwares to be more affordable and democratized this video production step, production techniques are still unknown for whoever does not belong to the industry.
Of course, you can decide to lead your video strategy by yourself, to seek for the different human resources you will need, but be prepared to see your budget explode! Another solution? Choose a specialized firm, with appropriate resources, contact network and the right expertise, to transform your ideas into powerful video campaigns.
Questions? Suggestions? Leave a comment and we can discuss! :)
