How does Player produce your video programme?

What are the key stages in the production process? It’s broken down into four phases: Script, Pre-production, Production & Post Production. These would be governed by the agreed SCHEDULE which states the agreed delivery dates for each stage of the process.

Script… RESEARCH – you would make available to Player Communications all expertise and relevant locations necessary for us to get up to speed with your subject matter. WRITING - we would deliver to you a draft script which would then be edited and re-jigged in conjunction with yourselves and then probably re-written a couple more times before being ready to proceed. The script could be just visual, without any spoken word, but it would still have a storyline that needs to be agreed on. SCRIPT APPROVAL – you are happy with the final draft which, after your written sign-off, becomes the “shooting script” and the basis for…

Pre-production… During this period, we research and plan all the locations we will film at, line up key contributors, cast any actors required, arrange for any artwork or props to be sourced, logistics sorted and crew and shooting equipment would be booked.

Production… THE SHOOT – a pre-agreed number of days and locations would be covered on the shooting format (High Def, DigiBeta, DVCam, 16mm film, MiniDV etc). You would have an empowered and knowledgeable representative on the shoot each day to advise on last minute details.

Post Production… The OFFLINE EDIT – shooting over, all the material is “digitised” into a specialised editing computer and put together frame-accurately, but at a lower image and sound quality for the sake of cost, into a complete impression of the final programme including music, any graphics or guide voiceover reading the script. This is a great part of the process where the script can be tweaked up to new heights and the whole project comes to life. Your input at this stage is crucial to the programme’s final success. DVD copies can be made of the edited programme for you to get the input of key colleagues. Once the “cut” is signed off, the ONLINE EDIT happens. This is a semi-automated regeneration of the approved picture and sound, but as a final, high quality version on an expensive edit suite hired by the hour. AUDIO - the approved voice script (if any) is then recorded by an agreed voiceover artist in a studio and SOUND MIXING takes place. The final master tape is created followed by any DVD copies and/or encoding done for streaming.

So you see, we don’t just disappear on day one with your brief, your money and emerge a few weeks later with our finished film. It should be a transparent and co-operative partnership throughout, resulting in a programme of which we’re both proud.