Technology

How Does Video Production Work in Denver?

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By John Wick

A Video Production Company is normally involved in the creation of video content for hire. And the process for creating that content works the same in Denver as it is does just about anywhere else in the world. 

Generally speaking,Video Productionencompassesthe collective efforts of a dedicated team of experienced writers, producers, directors, camera operators, sound engineers and editors and the respective technologies created for their use. Using their equipment, AKA “gear,” video content producers will collaborate with each other at the behest of a client to create a final audio-video product in exchange for financial compensation.

The complete process of producing video content involves three distinct stages; Pre-Production, Production and Post-Production. We’ll go through each phase here to help with your understanding of the process.

Pre-Production in Denver: Where It All Begins

Whatever kind of video you want to produce, it is critical that you prepare for the production of it. This preparation stage is what is called “the Pre-Production phase.” This first step is crucial because good planning will usually determine the successful outcome of the final video. And to ensure good preparation, a collaborative spirit should exist between all stakeholders.

The Client Role in the Pre-Pro Phase

A talented and experienced Video Producer will understand the vital role the Client plays throughout the entire production process but will be especially attentive in the beginning. During Pre-Pro, as it’s sometimes called, the Producer will be in frequent contact with the Client since, as noted above, the outcome will largely be determined by how well the Denver video production Company did its planning. And the Client needs to be available to answer the many questions that may arise in order to prevent potential pitfalls from occurring down the road.

 Preparing For Video Production

Before you make a journey, you’ll usually want to plan your route with the use of a map. The same principle applies to Video Production in Denver. During Pre-Pro, the Client and Producer will likely work with a Creative Team, often consisting of a Copywriter and a Storyboard Artist. Together the Creative Team collaborates on generating the ideas, scripts and storyboards for Producer and the Client approval. Once approved, the combined Script and Storyboard will serve as “the roadmap” for the production journey.

The Storyboard

The Storyboard has two distinct and different functions: 

First, it’s an effective method of communicating an idea to the Client without committing the resources of a Production Crew.  Naturally, it’s much easier and less expensive to change the copy or the location on the Storyboard as opposed to changing said copy or location later, after the filming is completed. 

Second, a Client-approved Storyboard is a useful tool for the Production and Post-Production crews to follow in order to know where they are in the process and to keep their Production on track. 

Casting

Once the Script and Storyboard are approved for Production, choosing who will appear on camera comes next. The Client and Producer could choose to hire a spokesperson, an ensemble of actors, or actual customer testimonials to endorse the product or service being promoted by the video. Or you could utilize any combination of the aforementioned to fill out your cast. 

This is a critical part of the Pre-Pro process because your casting will largely determine the look, personality and, most importantly, the credibility of your final video product so care in cast selection is vital.

Location Scout

Unless you’ll be providing your own filming location, an experienced Video Producer will usually hire a knowledgeable Location Scout to find and secure the best sites for filming in Denver. 

In most cases, the Location Scout will take photos, pull any necessary permits and manage the locations during Production. Their knowledge of locations in Denver and the surrounding areas will speed up the selection of the locations and allow Production work to begin sooner rather than later.

Video Production

Once you and your Producer have agreed on all of the elements of the Pre-Pro phase and arrived at an agreed-upon Production Schedule and Production Budget, you can finally progress to the Production phase.

By the time you’re in the Production phase, your crews have been hired, locations secured, casting completed and the Script and Storyboards have been approved by the Client for Production.

Shooting

The term “shooting” is just another way of saying, “filming” or “recording” or “capturing video.” For simplicity sake, we’ll refer to the sessions with a camera and sound crews as “The Shoot.”

In this Production phase, the Director works closely with the Camera Crews and Audio Engineers to capture the best performances from the Cast. Once the Director feels they have enough footage to complete a scene, the crews move onto the next shot. 

The Shoot is really where the rubber meets the road during the Production phase. Where the idea, script and storyboard are no longer theoretical but are transformed into hundreds of gigabytes of tangible data, i.e., video and audio information stored on Video Camera Cards and Computer Hard Drives, which will be delivered to the Video Editor and Sound Mixer.

Video Post-Production

Or “Post” as it’s often called, is the final phase in the Video Production process and it falls into two basic categories: Video Editing and Sound Mixing.

Video Editing

An experienced Video Editor will begin by logging the footage into a computer editing system run by Video Editing software such as Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro or perhaps an AVID System. The Editor will then cull the footage to make their “Selects”– which are the best takes for use in the final video. 

The Editor will then assemble a “Rough Cut” – a preliminary version of the “Final Cut” – for the Director, Producer and Client to approve before continuing on to finishing the video.

Once the Rough Cut is approved, the Editor will then “Color-Correct” the final Video Elements to be used in the Final Cut. 

This may mean the Editor gives the video a particular style, such as a monochromatic or high-contrast feel. The Editor may also choose to soften the colors to have a less harsh style to the video. Whatever subtle adjustments the Editor chooses, it will take some time and a high level of expertise and it will largely determine the “Final Look” of the picture.

Sound Mixing

Once the Rough Cut is approved by all of your stakeholders, the Audio Engineer will input the selected “Takes” into their computer and perform the creative task of “Mixing” all of the audio tracks to play against picture. 

Those tracks may include the spoken in-sync Dialogue captured at the Shoot, a Voice Announcer track pre-recorded in a studio, a Music Score and, if desired, tracks from a Sound Effects library,

Conclusion

The best Video Production Companies working in Denver will all follow this process to one degree or another. The very best will be transparent enough to bring their Clients along so they can fully understand the process. That way there are no surprises waiting down the road. 

As you can see, producing video content in Denver is not much different than producing it anywhere else. It’s just that you have those beautiful Rocky Mountains right there in your own backyard.