What are Video Post-Production Services?

The third stage of video or film development is referred to as post-production. The first stage is called pre-production, where the video is planned, and the second stage is production, where the video is filmed. Post-production generally includes everything that occurs after shooting has been completed.

Post-production services are often offered by production companies or video agencies. By definition, post-production would include editing, special effects, and/or animation. However, it could also include distribution, such as sending your video out to television corporations or uploading the video online.

There are a lot more details and knowledge that go into good post-production service than most people realize. Below is a detailed list of services that could be included in post-production service. We will discuss:

• Editing
• Colour-Correction
• Visual Effects
• Animation
• Distribution

Types of Post-Production

Editing

Editing is often the first thing that pops into people’s heads when they hear ‘post-production’. It is the act of selecting clips from your shoot and putting them in a specific order to tell the desired story. Editing includes both picture and sound manipulation. It would also include any lower thirds (such as a speaker’s title or the title of an episode), credits, foley sound, sound effects, and soundtrack.

Colour-Correction

Colour-correction is an element of editing that is often not thought of, but it can make a huge difference to your video. When shooting a video, chances are you will be filming with multiple cameras and in multiple locations. It is production’s job to make sure lighting and camera settings are as consistent as possible when filming, but there will always be a variation in lighting and colour depth in post. Colour-correction helps to maintain continuity in your story and sets the tone in your video.

Visual Effects

Visual effects is another category that can include several different things. Visual effects are visuals done in post-production such as green-screen composting or muzzle flashes. The term can refer to any image that could not be filmed during production for whatever reason.

CGI, or computer generated images, is a type of visual effect where characters, models, or designs are created using a computer. It is the most common form of visual effects in commercial filmmaking, and takes talent and time.

Keep in mind, visual effects are not to be confused with special effects, which are effects that are implemented in production such as prosthetic makeup or on-set explosions.

Animation

Animation is another post-production service an agency may offer. By definition, animation is the process of making the illusion of motion by using rapid succession of sequential images that differ from each otheronly minimally. Most animation is done via computer nowadays, technically making it CGI, but there is an unspoken distinction between animation and CGI. Usually CGI refers to images that are meant to look life-like, while animation is not masquerading as ‘real-life’.

Distribution

Video distribution is another category that can refer to several things. Platforms can range from streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon, to social medias like Facebook and Instagram, to television channels like Comedy Central or MTV.

Social media platforms each have their own video requirements, such as aspect ration and maximum length. This can impact how many versions of a video would need to be exported after editing and colour correction.

Streaming services use a non-linear (or unicast) distribution model, which includes time-shifted viewing (like Sky Catch-up TV) and on-demand viewing (such as YouTube).

Then you have television distribution, which is an entirely different process entirely. TV uses the linear broadcast model, where the content is distributed centrally from the broadcaster at a scheduled time. Not to mention, your video would need to pass Clearcast and Adstream inspection before they can be aired.

For each of these broadcasting models (just like social media), there are different technical specifications your video must meet. Post-production distribution services could include taking care of these requirements and inspections for you.

Summary

In conclusion, post-production services can include a myriad of things, ranging from editing, which consists of the basic arrangement of visual and audio material, colour-correction to add the finishing touches, visual effects to address any creative needs, animation, and distribution, to help your video be seen. Hiring a knowledgeable media company can make the post-production process infinitely easier for your business. Not only can it save you time, but it will also ensure the correct steps are taken to produce the best quality edit possible, and ensure your video is seen by as many people as possible.