🎥Filmmaking for Journalists Unit 11 – Post-production Workflows for Journalists

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Post-production refers to the stage of video production that occurs after filming and includes editing, sound mixing, color correction, and other processes to enhance and finalize the video
• Non-linear editing (NLE) systems allow editors to access and manipulate any part of the video footage without having to follow a linear sequence
• B-roll footage consists of supplementary shots that can be used to provide context, cover transitions, or enhance the visual interest of the main story
• Rough cut represents the first assembly of the video footage in the desired sequence, typically without fine-tuning or polishing
  • Fine cut refines the rough cut by making precise adjustments to the timing, pacing, and overall flow of the video
• Color grading involves adjusting the colors and tones of the video to achieve a desired look or mood, while color correction aims to ensure consistent and accurate color representation across shots
• Lower thirds are graphic elements placed in the lower portion of the screen, typically used to display names, titles, or other relevant information
• Codecs are software or hardware tools that compress and decompress digital video data, balancing file size and quality

Post-Production Equipment and Software

• Non-linear editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve are widely used for editing journalistic video content
  • These software packages offer a range of tools for organizing, editing, and enhancing video footage
• High-performance computers with sufficient processing power, memory, and storage are essential for smooth and efficient post-production workflows
• External hard drives and RAID systems provide additional storage capacity and data redundancy to safeguard project files and footage
• Color grading panels and control surfaces (DaVinci Resolve Mini Panel) allow for precise and intuitive adjustments to color and exposure settings
• Audio interfaces and monitoring equipment enable accurate recording, mixing, and playback of audio elements in the video
• Collaboration tools like Frame.io and Wipster facilitate remote review, feedback, and approval processes among team members and stakeholders

Organizing and Importing Footage

• Create a clear and consistent folder structure to organize project files, footage, and assets, making it easier to locate and manage resources throughout the post-production process
• Use descriptive naming conventions for files and folders, including relevant details such as date, location, and subject matter
  • Develop a standardized naming system that can be easily understood and followed by all team members
• Import footage into the editing software, ensuring that the correct settings for frame rate, resolution, and codec are selected to maintain the original quality
• Create proxies or optimized media files for efficient editing, especially when working with high-resolution footage or on systems with limited processing power
• Use metadata and tags to label and categorize footage based on content, theme, or other relevant criteria, enabling quick searches and filtering during the editing process
• Regularly backup project files and footage to prevent data loss and ensure the ability to revert to previous versions if needed
  • Implement a backup strategy that includes both local and cloud-based storage solutions

Editing Techniques for Journalistic Stories

• Begin with a rough cut, assembling the main story elements in a logical sequence that effectively communicates the intended narrative
• Trim and refine clips to remove unnecessary footage, focusing on the most compelling and relevant moments that support the story
• Use a variety of shot types and angles (wide shots, medium shots, close-ups) to create visual interest and guide the viewer's attention
  • Establish shots provide context and orient the viewer, while close-ups emphasize emotion and detail
• Employ continuity editing techniques, such as match cuts and shot-reverse-shot, to maintain spatial and temporal coherence throughout the story
• Create a sense of rhythm and pacing through the use of varying shot lengths and strategic placement of cuts and transitions
  • Longer shots can convey a sense of contemplation or stability, while shorter shots can heighten tension or urgency
• Use montage sequences to compress time, convey a passage of time, or highlight multiple aspects of a single theme or event
• Incorporate interviews and soundbites to provide first-hand accounts, expert insights, and emotional depth to the story

Audio Mixing and Sound Design

• Balance the levels of dialogue, music, and sound effects to ensure clarity and audibility throughout the video
  • Prioritize the intelligibility of spoken words, especially in interviews and narration
• Use equalization (EQ) to adjust the frequency balance of audio elements, reducing unwanted noise or enhancing desired qualities
• Apply compression to control the dynamic range of the audio, preventing peaks from distorting and ensuring consistent volume levels
• Create a sense of depth and space through the use of ambient sounds and room tone, helping to immerse the viewer in the environment
• Use sound effects and Foley to emphasize actions, transitions, or other key moments in the story, adding realism and impact
• Select music that complements the tone and emotional arc of the story, being mindful of copyright and licensing requirements
  • Consider the use of both diegetic (source) and non-diegetic (score) music to shape the viewer's experience

Color Correction and Grading

• Perform basic color correction to ensure consistent exposure, white balance, and color accuracy across shots
  • Use scopes (waveform, vectorscope, histogram) to objectively assess and adjust color and exposure properties
• Address common issues such as color casts, over- or under-exposure, and contrast imbalances to create a more polished and professional look
• Apply creative color grading techniques to establish a distinct visual style or evoke specific moods and emotions
  • Use color wheels, curves, and other tools to manipulate hue, saturation, and luminance values
• Ensure that skin tones appear natural and consistent throughout the video, making adjustments as needed to maintain a realistic appearance
• Create visual continuity between shots and scenes by matching color and exposure values, especially when footage is captured under different lighting conditions
• Use LUTs (Look-Up Tables) to quickly apply pre-designed color grades or to match footage from different cameras or sources

Adding Graphics and Lower Thirds

• Design and incorporate lower thirds to identify speakers, provide context, or convey additional information relevant to the story
  • Ensure that lower thirds are legible, visually appealing, and consistent with the overall aesthetic of the video
• Use motion graphics and animations to enhance the visual interest and engagement of the story, such as animating text, creating transitions, or illustrating complex concepts
• Integrate data visualizations, such as charts, graphs, or maps, to support and clarify information presented in the story
  • Ensure that data visualizations are accurate, easy to understand, and visually compelling
• Apply branding elements, such as logos, color schemes, and typography, consistently throughout the video to reinforce the identity of the news organization or program
• Be mindful of graphic placement and duration, ensuring that they do not obstruct important visual information or distract from the main content of the story

Exporting and Delivery for Various Platforms

• Choose appropriate export settings based on the intended distribution platform, considering factors such as resolution, bitrate, and file format
  • Common formats for web and social media include H.264/MP4, while broadcast and cinema may require ProRes or DNxHD/HR codecs
• Optimize video and audio settings to ensure high quality and efficient playback across different devices and connection speeds
  • Use variable bitrate (VBR) encoding to allocate more data to complex scenes while reducing overall file size
• Include relevant metadata, such as title, description, keywords, and closed captions, to improve discoverability and accessibility of the video
• Perform quality control checks to ensure that the exported video is free of technical issues, such as artifacts, audio-video sync problems, or incorrect aspect ratios
• Deliver the final video file to the appropriate platform or stakeholder, using secure file transfer methods or cloud-based storage solutions
  • Provide clear instructions and guidelines for any additional steps required, such as uploading, embedding, or sharing the video
• Archive the final project files, assets, and exported video for future reference or potential revisions, ensuring that they are properly labeled and organized