We call this the "PainFree Creative Process™. It's similar to standard production practices in the film industry but we take the "pain" out of it for our clients. This basic sequence works regardless of media: HD video, PowerPoint™ project or Web Development.
Step 1: Content
They say "content is king." The first and most important step is determining the content. You provide what we need in a simple outline of what you wish to communicate, and we'll work together to form the statement of the "single most important concept" that you want the audience to remember. At this stage we'll discuss budget constraints so the next step can be realistic.
Client answers simple questions regarding content, audience and proposed use.
Step 2: Treatment & Budget
From your outline, Single Most Important Concept, budget guidelines, and other materials you may provide, we will generate a "Treatment." This is a short synopsis of how the content is going to be "treated." This includes what parts of the content will go into each segment, and how major transitions will be handled.
Client reviews Treatment, provides suggestions, and approves final "blueprint" of the project.
Coupled with the treatment will be a Budget. Both treatment and budget can be refined based on your further input to achieve a proposed project that will meet your needs within your budget. At the end of this process, a contract is signed and initial payment is received.
Step 3: Script & Pre-Production
From the Treatment, the text of the script is written. Several drafts are prepared, and you will have approval rights at each stage. You may hear sample music or see sample graphics to approve the stylistic components of the production. Once the script approval is received, Acquisition can begin in earnest.
Client reviews script at several stages, provides approval, and coordinates plans for necessary image acquisition
NOTE: With the PainFree Creative Process™, you are NOT expected to write the script! While you may have excellent copy writers on staff, unless they are experienced in AV screen writing results are usually unsatisfactory.
Step 4: Acquisition
This step involves acquiring all the visual and audio assets we need for production. This may involve location photography or videography, studio work, narration, interviews, graphic production or acquiring stock photos. You may be involved setting up sites to be photographed finding historical images or coordinating participants.
Client provides access to necessary sites and people for image acquisition; supplies other material needed; approves graphics created
Step 5: Editing
There are 3 stages in this step.
- Stage 1 is ASSEMBLING the audio and visual assets and preparing them for assembly. This includes converting images to the correct digital form, capturing video into the nonlinear editor, digitizing audio, and identifying and sorting the assets by segment.
- Stage 2 is EDITING. This is the truly creative part of production where everything comes together and we begin to see the finished product take shape. When the first stage of editing is complete, you will see a rough version, which may be missing a few minor things, but enough so that you'll be able to comment and approve the basic edit.
- Stage 3 is POLISHING Based upon your input, the finishing touches are added to the project and a final approval copy delivered for your review. When the approval copy meets with your satisfaction, final masters are made and payment is received.
Client reviews several drafts of the edited product, making suggestions and giving approvals.
Step 6: Fulfillment
In this step several things can happen, depending on the type of project we've just created:
Client specifies type of delivery desired.
- UPLOAD: We post the streaming video to your server so your audience can access the content
- DELIVERY: User-friendly versions of the master materials are delivered if you are using the content internally
- DUPLICATION: Your master disk is delivered to the dupe house to create the copies you need. (Small quanities are duplicated in-house).
- EXHIBITION: We stage the presentation to the audience at the venue of your choosing
Time Frame & Budget
Delivery depends upon the complexity of the Treatment and the budget. A project can come together in a matter of days, weeks or months. The two biggest variables are acquisition and approvals, because of potential problems coordinating people. Obviously, projects with tighter time frames will take precedence. Or as they say, the impossible just costs a little more.
Speaking of budget, we're committed to work within any reasonable budget. We will work with you to develop a treatment that will meet your communication needs within your budget. Modest projects or blockbusters, you can be assured of the same excellent results. What's a reasonable budget? Click here for more on that.
Options
Of couse to save money there are various options you can take advatage of, including:
- Writing the script or Website text
- Providing new, stock or archive photos or footage for the entire project
- Providing project-ready graphics to spec
- Duplicating your own media
If you have those capabilities on staff, we can work together and save budget dollars!