Publishingh

A post-production process is the one that takes place after shooting or recording a video or a film. It includes the editing, sound mixing, and color correction of the video footage. In this section, we look at required software and the process. We also introduce some rules, but video is also a medium with direct feedback. Look at your material and see how it feels.

Overview

The Post-Production process step-by-step

This is a step by step overview over the post production process:

• Copy & Backup: (Ingest) Copy your videos and other assets to the computer where you edit
• Sort files: Depending on the size of your project, sort your files. Criteria can be file type (video, audio, graphics), locations, scenes…
• Rough cut: Put the files together in a fast way without working precise. You should get an idea which parts you use, which you don’t use by selecting and arranging the videos on your timeline. If you’re working with speak or interview, it’s sorting out the stuff you won’t use. Furthermore, you place the clips in the order they should appear. You should now know which clips you use and have the structure for the video
• Fine Cut: In this step, the video will be made to look nice. This means trim the video exactly, add b-roll, modifying colors and audio, adding transition
• Titles and credits: This involves adding opening and closing credits, as well as any other text or graphics that need to be displayed on the screen.
• Adding audio: This may include adding sound effects, music, and dialogue to the video. This can be done through a process called “sweetening,” which involves adding and adjusting the audio levels of various sound elements.
• Special effects: This may include adding visual effects such as compositing, animation, and motion graphics.
• Color grading: This is the process of adjusting the color and lighting of the video to achieve a desired look and feel. This may involve adjusting the overall color balance, adding color filters, and adjusting the contrast and brightness
• Exporting: Once all of the above steps are completed, the final video is exported in a desired format, such as MP4 or AVI, for distribution and playback.

Mobile editing

As mentioned, we are not keen on mobile editing, but here you find some apps you can use:

• Adobe Premiere Rush
• Kinemaster
• GoPro Quik

Ingest

In video production, “ingest” refers to the process of transferring video footage from a source, such as a camera or storage device, into a computer or other digital media system for editing. This typically involves connecting the source device to a computer using a cable or other data transfer method, and then transferring the video files from the source device to the computer’s hard drive or other storage location.

A video camera uses a storage device like SD cards, which makes it’s easy to transfer to a computer. If you use your mobile phone you might also use a cloud service like Google Photos, Microsoft One Drive, Dropbox and so on. 

My video files are automatically transferred to the cloud and I can access and download them through my web browser on every computer I want to.

Data management

Data management is important in the video post-production process because it helps ensure that the entire process is efficient and organized. In the post-production process, there might be a large amount of data that needs to be managed, including video footage, audio files, graphics, and other assets.

Proper data management allows for easy access to these assets, as well as for tracking changes and revisions made during the editing process. A video editing software doesn’t “save” the video files, but only link to them. If you move your project to a different computer or archive it on an external storage, it will be handy to have all the files collected in one place. Otherwise, assets might be missing or lost in later revisions. 

We create always a top folder with an “inverted” date in the beginning and project name. In this folder, we save the project file from OpenShot. Within this folder, we create an asset folder which holds videos, audios and so on. If there are many files, you can create subfolders.

In a document folder, we save storyboards, subtitles files etc. Finally, an export folder holds the exported video(s)

• 221204 My project
• Assets
• Videos
• Audio
• Graphics
• Documents
• Export

It’s also a good idea to make a safety copy of your files. Hard disk and computer can fail and all your hard work might be gone. This step is not that important if you transfer your file into the cloud, as long as hold a copy there.

Overall, effective data management in the post-production process helps to streamline the process and make it more efficient, saving time and resources.

Video project file

A video project file contains only “links” to the original videos. This means if you erase a video file on your computer, it will also be gone (offline) in the video project file. First, when you export your video, it will be containing all the pictures on its own.

Music and stock footage

To use material from other sources is a great way to improve your own recordings. Unfortunately, there is something called Copyright and you are not allowed to use just any music, or pictures or video clips etc. But don’t worry, we have your back. There are plenty of free resources under the common creative license which allow you to use their assets. Be aware of the terms. Sometimes you can just use them for free, other times you need to credit the author and his work.

If you google, the keyword is “royalty free”.

Here as list of resources:

• Music
• Youtube Audi Libary: A free library of music, which can be found in your YT creator studio
• Incompetech: Royalty Free Music – credit of the author needed: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/music.html
• https://www.videvo.net/royalty-free-music/
• Photos:
• https://unsplash.com/
• https://www.pexels.com/
• Video:
• https://www.videvo.net/stock-video-footage/
• https://www.natureclip.co.uk/

Editing

In the editing phase, the footage and the additional assets are compiled and organized into a cohesive story. This can involve selecting the best takes of each scene, trimming and cutting footage to remove unnecessary or redundant shots, and arranging the footage in a logical order.

During the editing process, the video editor may also add visual and audio effects, such as transitions between scenes, titles, and background music. They may also adjust the color and lighting of the footage and add sound effects to enhance the overall quality and impact of the video.

The editing phase is an important step in the video production process, as it is when the raw footage is transformed into a finished product that can be shared with an audience. 

Some of the work is more detailed than others. To avoid that you are working on the video clips which you have to delete in the final cut work with the following steps:

Rough Cut

A rough cut is an early version of a video. It is used to see the structure and pacing of the video and delete unwanted material.  Start with the first scenes of your script and review the material you have. Select the recording which works best and place it on the timeline. If you have extra material in front or the end of the clip, trim it to the right length. Continue with the next clips. From time to time, you might review the whole timeline and see if the order of the clips work and if your story is evolving in the way you want.

Once you hare happy with the rough cut, you start the next stage – the fine cut

Fine cut

fine cut is a more polished and refined version of the video that is closer to the final product. It is typically the final version of the video before it is completed and released. The fine cut may still include some temporary elements, such as placeholders for special effects or temporary audio, but it should be a mostly complete and polished version of the video. 

 The next steps are the order we use to work, but you are welcome to change the order as it fits you best.

Adding audio

  We start to add music to the rough cut. Music is an element that with its rhythm is a big help for the right pace of the video – and you might use the music itself to find points where to cut. Look in the chapter Ingest to find resources to find music you can use without breaking copyright rules.

Add B-roll

In the rough cut, you focus on the storyline, and now it’s time to give images to this visual medium.  B-roll supplements the main action or dialogue in a video. It is often used to add visual interest, provide context, or cover cuts or transitions between shots. 

 Here are some tips for using b-roll effectively:  

• Use b-roll to add context: B-roll footage can be used to provide additional context or background information about the main action or dialogue in the video. For example, if you are making a documentary about a person, you might use b-roll footage of their workplace, neighborhood, or hobbies to give the viewer a sense of who they are.
• Use b-roll to cover cuts: B-roll can also be used to cover up cuts or transitions between shots. For example, if you need to cut from one shot to another, you might use b-roll footage of a related subject as a transition between the two shots.
• Vary the shot types: To keep the viewer engaged, it’s important to vary the shot types and angles in your b-roll footage. This might include wide shots, close-ups, and medium shots of the subject or location.
• Use b-roll wisely: While b-roll footage can be a useful tool, it’s important not to overuse it. Too much b-roll can distract from the main action or dialogue and make the video feel disjointed. Use b-roll judiciously to enhance the story you are telling, rather than overshadowing it.

Cut’s and transitions – how to combine clips

When you edit, you combine different video clips to one movie. A cut is a transition between two shots or scenes in a video. It is typically used to move the action forward, change the location or subject of the shot, or create a sense of continuity between different shots. 

 There are mainly 2 types of cuts that are commonly used in video production:   

• Hard cut: A hard cut is a sudden transition from one shot to another with no overlap or fade. It is often used to create a sense of urgency or to move the action forward quickly. You should use this cut as a standard
• Transition: With a transition, you fade the first shot gradually into the second shot, with the two shots overlapping for a brief period of time. They are used to signal a change in time or location and should not be used for “just making it look nicer” (it won’t as it confuses the viewer if there is no change in time/location).  To add a transition, find it in your effects’ library/panel and simply drag and drop it between the two clips in the timeline.
• (Jump cut) is a cut in a video that creates a sudden, discontinuous shift in the action or dialogue. It is typically created by cutting out a section of the footage, resulting in a jump or break in the continuity of the shot. Jump cuts are often used to create a sense of urgency or to move the action forward quickly. They can also be used to create a jarring or disorienting effect, or to highlight a particular moment or dialogue. However, jump cuts can also be distracting or disruptive to the viewer if not used carefully. In general, it is best to avoid jump cuts when possible, as they can break the flow of the video and disrupt the viewer’s immersion in the story. If you do need to use a jump cut, it’s important to consider how it will affect the pacing and continuity of the video and to use it sparingly. Jump cut is a visual means often used in Vlogs 

 Editing programs offers a broad range of effects. Don’t use them as this effects often remind on amateur videos. Next time you watch television to study when and how visual effects are used and ask yourself if this gains your video.

 If you film in 4k, you might consider editing in Full HD timeline. This gives the possible of 2 different camera angels from the same recording and the possibility to add movement to your scene.

Titles and graphics

These are visual elements that are used in video production to communicate information and add visual interest to the video. 

Titles are text-based elements that are used to label or identify specific elements of the video, such as the title of the video, the names of the people or organizations involved (name tags), Call-to-Actions (typically  at the end of a video) or the location of the footage. They can be static or animated and can be placed at the beginning or end of the video, or overlaid on top of the footage. 

Graphics are visual elements that are used to illustrate or clarify information in the video. This may include maps, diagrams, charts, or other visual aids. Graphics can be static or animated and can be placed anywhere in the video as needed.  

Both titles and graphics can be used to help the viewer understand the content of the video and to enhance the overall look and feel of the production. They can also be used to add branding or style to the video, depending on the needs of the project. 

If you are familiar with PowerPoint, you can create your title and graphics in PowerPoint and export as a picture (.jpg or .png) and add to your assets. You typically have a title tool in your editing software.

Color correction and grading

 This is the process of adjusting the color and lighting of the video to achieve a desired look and feel. This may involve adjusting the overall color balance, adding color filters, and adjusting the contrast and brightness. 

• Some common techniques used in color correction and grading include:
• Balancing the white balance: This involves adjusting the colors in the image to correct for any color casts caused by the lighting conditions.
• Adjusting the contrast: This involves increasing or decreasing the difference between the darkest and lightest parts of the image.
• Adjusting the saturation: This involves increasing or decreasing the intensity of the colors in the image.
• Adjusting the hue: This involves shifting the colors in the image towards a different part of the color spectrum.
• Color grading: This involves adjusting the colors in the image to create a specific mood or aesthetic.

Final cut

During the final cut stage, you will usually make the last necessary changes to the edit based on feedback. This may include cutting or adding shots, adjusting the pacing, or fine-tuning the transitions between shots.

You should make the final mix of the audio. The most important thing is that your audio is not clipping. The levels should be around -6 db and if you have a software with loudness radar set it around 16 LUFs. The difference between background music and speech should be around 15 to 20 db.

When you finished the last corrections, your video is ready for export.

Export

Exporting a video from an editing software generally involves the following steps:

• Select the portion of the video that you want to export. This may be the entire video or just a specific part of it.
• Choose an export format and settings. The best format to export is h.264 in a .mp4 container
• Choose a destination for the exported video. This could be a folder on your computer, a cloud storage service, or an external hard drive.
• Start the export process. This may involve clicking an “export” or “render” button in the software and waiting for the process to complete.

The exact steps and options for exporting a video will vary depending on the software you are using. In general, you should be able to find the export options in the “File” or “Export” menu. You may also find additional options for customizing the export settings in the software’s preferences or settings menu.

It is important to note that exporting a video can be a time-consuming process, especially for longer videos or videos with complex effects. It is generally a good idea to save your project and export a test version of the video first, to ensure that the export settings are correct and that the video looks and sounds the way you intended.

Congratulations, you have your video. In the next chapter, we look into how you publish this file best.