Video Post-Production Chicago, And All it Includes
The camera captures the footage during production, but the video post-production creates the viewing experience. The Michael Group is a worldwide media group that offer a wide spectrum of post video production services in Chicago.
There are three main stages in any production process – pre-production, production, and post-production. Each stage in the process is equally as vital as the others. The post-production stage is most commonly referred to as “editing”. This single word often intimidates people the most with all of the different steps and elements it includes. When broken down, however, the post-production process is fairly straight forward.
What does Editing Include?
Majority of post-production processes will include most, if not all, of the following steps.
- Picture editing:
The picture editor will assess all of the footage shot during production, and assemble the them in the sequence that best tells the story. Included in this step of the editing process is color grading, sizing and choosing the correct cuts.
- Initial sound editing:
Once the visual story is edited and finalized, the correct sound needs to be matched. Often the shots would have been filmed from multiple angles, for the sake of choice and interpretation, and the sound needs to be matched to the image.
- Automatic Dialogue Replacement (ADR):
A significant portion of the sound footage is lost during the entire production process – either because of editing, re-takes or overpowering ambient noise. During the ADR phase, actors are called back to re-do their dialogue via lip syncing to the final image.
- Foley sounds:
Just as the dialogue needs to be added in when lost, so do certain sound effects. Foley artists recreate sound effects that are missing from the final cut scene. These effects can be as simple as dubbing footsteps and breaking of glass to car engines and computer noises.
- Music:
The sound track is crucial to setting the scene and evoking emotional responses from your audience, and needs to be carefully chosen. Something to be aware of is the copy right that many songs own – purchasing the rights to use the song will clear you of any future legal issues.
- Re-recording/the mix:
The sound elements of post-production (ADR, footage, Foley editing and music) need to be layered and blended so that they create the intended experience.
- Visual effects:
This includes both the subtle visual effects that are carefully combined with the footage, as well as the effects that make a statement. This step of the process is often combined with sound so that everything remains in sync.
- Title and credits:
Framing the production with a title sequence, and crediting the team adds the framework to the final project by introducing the production and giving credit where credit is due.
- Digital Cinema Package (DCP):
The DCP is the hard drive that contains the final copy of your film/production. Exporting the final copy to this drive will allow for delivery of the final product.
- Campaign Image:
This step in the process involves marketing your production. The picture that you choose as your campaign image should capture the essence, message and intention of your production project.
- Trailer:
Also in line with marketing your production, the trailer will give a taste and teaser of your video production – whether it is a film trailer, a shortened version of an advert or snippet of a corporate video.
Unlike production, which can be fairly overwhelming, post-production can be broken down into chunks of steps that can be professionally ticked off. Specialized in high quality video post-production, the Michael Group is ready and rearing to go.
