FTV20007 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Debt Management Plan, Timecode, Init
Week 2
Post Production Pathways
A post production pathway is a series of steps in the final stages of making a film – ie the
editing of the film. These steps include transferring the original media from the camera to a
format for the offline edit – where all the creative decisions are made, syncing and preparing
the rushes for the offline, sound editing, composition of music, sound effects, feedback from
all significant parties – broadcasters, producers, the grade, the online and finally mastering
the film.
Since there are many codecs to shoot on the software programs available, post production
pathways can be varied and complex.
For this reason, when you are creating your post production pathways, ask yourself 2
questions:
1. What are the specs for BROADCAST quality in my COUNTRY and OVERSEAS?
2. WHAT PLATFORM AM I DELIVERING TO – festivals, TV, online?
Essentially your post production pathway must be a set of economic & efficient steps to get
you to the answer of questions 1 & 2
What is the OFFLINE and ONLINE editing process?
Offline: creative decisions. PICTURE LOCK.
Online: refined and perfect. Should change one frame. After picture lock, making the film
TECHNICALLY good in PICTURE and SOUND to either be broadcast on TELEVISION or the
CINEMA. TECHNICALY CORRECTING and FINESSING stage.
The Offline Edit Process
1. IMPORTING media from camera to a format in an editing software program
2. PREPPING RUSHES – syncing, logging and creating select rolls
3. IMPLEMENTING your data management plan – backing up, setting up your folders on
your drive correctly and organizing your bins correctly
4. EDITING the film – all the creative decisions are made in the OFFLINE edit. This is
where the heart of the film is created. In the editing process you have a lot of meetings
with producers, broadcasters, and funding bodies – all giving their feedback… it can
be a very exhilarating time but also heartbreaking part of the process.
5. Rough concepts for SPECIAL EFFECTS or GRAPHICS are built into the timing of the edit.
6. Sound editing and soundscaping the film has begun – ie all sfx are in place, temp music
is in place, the sound editing is a big part of the storytelling so it is as important as the
pictures.
7. Conversations with the composer have begun, the composer can be working on
sketches of the film music
8. The special effects team will also be working on the creative style of the effects
needed
9. If the footage has been shot on film or in a certain way, the footage will have a basic
COLOUR GRADE to correct the colour of the film, but the look of the film is not
important at this stage.
Document Summary
A post production pathway is a series of steps in the final stages of making a film ie the editing of the film. Since there are many codecs to shoot on the software programs available, post production pathways can be varied and complex. Essentially your post production pathway must be a set of economic & efficient steps to get you to the answer of questions 1 & 2. Technically good in picture and sound to either be broadcast on television or the. This is where the heart of the film is created. It also needs to adhere to specific standards for levels. The soundmixer will create the final mix, stereo or surround sound etc: finally the graded hi-res pictures with all the correct special effects and. Graphics will be married to the final sound mix and a master is created, adhering to the broadcast stnadards.
