An Outline to the Video Production Process part 4

An Outline of the Video Production Process - Part 4

An outline of the video production process. All the steps in creating a video product. What to watch for and what to expect along the way, plus how a professional artist and crew can take the intimidation and stress away!

MOTION GRAPHICS & SPECIAL EFFECTS

A wonderful edit is magic in and of itself, but It is in this next stage of post production where a more obvious and exciting kind of magic happens.

Motion Graphics – In modern video production, almost everything moves and develops visually throughout a spot or program. Logos fly and morph into other graphics, video appears in windows that superimpose over other backgrounds, and colorful borders and shapes make an emotional impact and catch the viewer’s eye and hold their attention. Even the simple “name matte” in the lower screen over a speaker is rarely static text, but is animated, glowing, and evolving in and out of existence.

This technique and approach is generically referred to as “motion graphics” and this is what makes today’s television “look” have that polished, animated, and interesting feel. Without it, a production looks boring and “amateur” – exhibiting the dreaded “Cheap Local Look.”

As an artist, I love to put the graphic “polish” on a spot or program, and sometimes the graphics are the only elements we have to work with. Many excellent spots and programs or segments of them have no actual video resources, but are graphics, photos, or other design elements ONLY. These are presented in an animated and interesting manner using the techniques of motion graphics!

Special Effects – Motion graphics are a special effect, of course, but here we refer specifically to what most people think of by that term – special visual effects like explosions, keys and mattes (like green-screen shoots of people that are superimposed over other backgrounds), star trails, smoke, glints and gleams off objects or logos, image tiling, morphing and bending of objects, and so on.

The possibilities are truly endless, and many will be surprised to learn that the effects that can be achieved at a single computer, boutique level are every bit equivalent to Hollywood feature films, and often are used for such films. That means that you can have an effect that is truly Hollywood quality without that big L.A. price tag.

One important note about motion graphics and especially special effects. It is the sign of an artful and experienced editor or digital artist that he or she is reserved in the use of effects. "Effects for effects sake" can ruin a project and place it immediately in the “amateur” category for viewers because the effects distract from the message. That said, a judicious and artistic use of just the right effects can bring an otherwise plain piece to life and propel the viewer’s interest and involvement with your program or spot.

Once the effects and motion graphics are added to the base video edit, the combination of it all is “rendered” into a separate piece of video (a movie file) and is sent back to the edit system for finalizing and mastering.

ANIMATION

A word here about the most special of special effects. Animation can be an effective technique for many video productions, but it is a complex area that can be time consuming and therefore expensive.

Animation is a broad term, however, and there are some techniques that are quite fast and easy to accomplish. Don’t dismiss animation as an option just because it sounds expensive or intimidating. Have your production experts advise you on the different approaches and help you decide if animation is practical or if it is right for your project. Animation is generally broken down into two major areas: 2D and 3D.

2D flat style drawings, like classic cartoons, are rarely done manually these days, but are accomplished with the help of the computer. This makes things much easier and faster. Flat style imagery can be very effective and less expensive to accomplish. Sometimes, just an animated graphic element is all that is needed (perhaps a gas pump with a moving meter or a face that smiles).

True 3D animation is more complex. Character animation is the most complicated to achieve, as characters must be designed, structurally boned, skinned with textures, and animated as a collection of joined parts, often into a separately designed background world. While time consuming and expensive, this also can give a production a totally unique look and identity. At my company, we have accomplished several 3D character animation projects using Lightwave3D software, the same program used to create animation elements for such features as Star Trek and Men In Black.

Some 3D animation elements are easier and more often employed, such as dimensional flying logos or other text elements. These can be very effective in either a complex or straightforward production.

FINAL VIDEO EDITING, FINAL EDIT, MIX, and MASTER

The movie of the final render (base edit with any motion graphics and special effects) is taken back to the edit system and a final version of the spot or program is made, adding any last minute graphics or audio elements. It is optimized for technical levels and standards, and it is given any slate ID’s needed for the final mastering process.

A final audio mix is done, as needed, to make sure the program is complete in every detail. The last production stage is to make the final “Master” of the program onto any of a variety of formats, either videotape or digital files, depending on the intended destination.

DUBS (COPIES) or other DISTRIBUTION

Copies or dubs are often needed for distribution to television stations, directly to clients, or other end-users. These can be in any of a variety of formats and media, from BetaSP (for broadcast), DVCam, MiniDV, DVD’s, or any of a wide selection of digital file formats, including formats for the Web.

Well, that seems like a lot, and it is, but a professional team's goal is to make this production process as easy and worry-free for you as possible. At my company, we’ve been doing this for so long, that this long list is truly second-nature to us!

The only thing we will rely on you, our client, for is comprehensive input and involvement at the beginning of the process, where the decisions are being made on approach, budget, and content. Once that is settled, we can basically take it from there. You will always be a part of the process along the way, with feedback and examples where needed, and your satisfaction is always the final goal.

I hope this outline has been informative and helpful. I am always available if you need further information or have questions.