In web video production, one of the main frustrations with demonstrating products or explaining services is that after they are produced it is not very easy to make updates to them. One must consider how to edit and maintain the videos over time. Webvideo 360 produces web videos in Dallas, Texas for many different types of customers. For some it is very important to have the flexibility to make changes every so often just as one would make up dates to a website. We have developed a modular production process that is imp lace from script to screen. It allows a video to be easily changed and updated in the future. Let start by giving a couple of examples. Let’s assume in a particular web video production that an on camera host is begin used. When the script is written it is important that the on camera introduction is short and general. Then move to off camera voice over. The rest of the video should follow the same format anytime a new idea is introduced. This way the voice over can be changed in the future very easily. Notes about what mic was used, the distance to the speaker’s mouth, gain level, and other acoustic factors will insure that the audio matches even if done many months later. The use of audio matching software helps here but, it works best when the difference it corrects is small.
Highly organizing all source footage and graphics compositions such as Photoshop files (keeping them in as many layers as possible) After Effects, Motion, Nuke, and audio production files is paramount. It does take more storage space to archive all variations of source files but, pays off in the end. At Webvideo every project has a source file directory that has sub directories for audio, camera footage, and graphics. The files do not get duplicated even if they are used by multiple software packages.
The modular production process is a skill and art unto itself. We also see it as a product that is different than what is typically offered by other production companies. Keeping in mind that every time anything is done in the production process, that it will be changed latter is the bottom line.
