While video professionals can work wonders, we aren’t magicians. A video is largely the sum of its many parts. There is an art to putting the elements together into an aesthetically pleasing and purposeful final piece. However the success of the video has a lot to do with the quality of the original assets that make up the video.
For the purpose of this discussion, we define assets as client-provided, visual (video, photos, graphics, fonts, etc), audio (narration or musical), or scripted elements (titles, direction, narration) collected and delivered to the production studio for inclusion into a video. Most video projects employ a combination original-produced content and client-provided content. For example a client might provide screenshots of a software product, an interview video of their CEO,a sound bite of one of their executives speaking, and so on.
Time VS Cost
The biggest factor leading to poor quality assets is quite obviously lack of time. We understand clients have busy schedules and spending time to collect thoughtful, specific assets is difficult. But the lack of good assets, actually increases time needed by the production company to produce a quality video and therefore drives up the production cost. The end result will cost more, take more time, and the end quality will suffer. This often results in the video having a shorter shelf life and needing to be redone or replaced within a much shorter time period. When possible, taking the time to think through needed assets, saves time and money.
Relevant Assets
“Quality Assets” are measured by the physical or technical level of perfection in the files, the quantity of assets needed to properly communicate the message of the video, and the level of relevance or thoughtfulness put into selecting the specific files, as related to the overall message. Having the right assets is very important. Most clients know which assets are more important or more specifically communicate their project than a hired production company. Viewers appreciate visuals which are specific to the message being delivered.
Stock Media
Unfortunately, many clients and companies source their media from stock media websites. These sites provide quick assets to satisfy a need within a video. Again, this comes back to an issue of exciting your viewer to effectively deliver your message. The problem with stock media is that it is generic, not specific to your message, and can possibly be seen on a competitors site communicating a similar message. Taking the time to create your own assets rather than sourcing them from a stock media site can help your video stand out and add longevity.
Ask For Help
The technical quality of your assets is also important. The production company will be able to give you specific dimensions, resolutions, file formats, etc that are necessary to create a quality video. Many clients use Camtasia or other software to capture a presentation or screen demo. Again, ask for help. A production company will likely be able to either handle that capture for you or direct you in the proper specs for capturing. Within the media production pipeline, everyone has certain talents that dictate what part of a job is handled by that person before being passed to the next. This shows true in a larger scope as well. Assigning specific people within a company to collect certain assets will help assure the expert is handling it. The job of a production company is to evaluate the supplied assets and advise on the technical specs, aesthetics, and quantity of visuals needed to make the video flow as a whole.
File Delivery
Following these tips will have the production company handling your video, praising your name; and you’ll save production costs in the meantime. Following these steps make the production process very efficient and reduces the possibility of confusion.
1. Name your assets in an organized system that relates to what each
asset is and where in the script it should be used.
2. If possible, reference assets by file name in your script.
3. Ask the production company what file format, size, and resolution are needed.
4. Collect assets first, review them as a whole, then send all at once to the production company.
5. If emailing assets, add them to a compressed zip folder before attaching.
Make sure the file size is not over 20mb.
6. Do not send multiple emails with bits and pieces of assets.
7. If sending large files, inquire with your production company if they have an ftp or file upload system available.
The R.E.D. Team
www.rapideyedigital.com
www.rapideyedigital.com/blog
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