Our Process
The video production process varies for each project. Considering video demands across campus, a minimum of 10 weeks advance notice may be necessary. And, while we appreciate your timely request, please note that we do not operate on a "first-come, first-served" basis. We prioritize video projects that are in line with the university's communication priorities that can be used in multiple internal and external applications.
If we are unable to meet your request, we will recommend alternative resources.
Before submitting a request
The more articulate you can be about your messaging and desired outcome for the video, the easier it is for our team to assess your request and begin your project. Below are a few suggestions and helpful hints to consider as you begin to fill out your request.
- Messaging vs. Concept vs. Content
- Prior to filling out the request, determine what message you are hoping the audience will take away from the video. Ask yourself how you want the audience to respond to the video or what you want the audience to know.
- You do not need to have a concept for your video outlined. Our team is happy to conceptualize with you to determine what the best approach to the video will be based on your messaging.
- If there are videos that you’ve seen in the past that may provide inspiration or background for your request, please communicate that with us.
- The content in the video should help support the messaging. This could be specific footage or interviews.
- If there is content that is mandatory to include in the video, like a donor that must be interviewed, please let us know. It may impact the concept of the video.
- Timeline
- The video production process varies for each project. Considering video demands across campus, a minimum of 10 weeks advance notice may be necessary.
- If your timeline is shorter than the minimum of 10 weeks, please contact the Director of Video to inquire about the feasibility of the project’s completion.
- If your video requires a creative approach requiring idea or concept generation from our team, additional time of approximately 2 weeks will be needed to allow for research, brainstorming, storyboarding, and pitching.
- If your request is for an animated video, a minimum of 3 months may be required depending on the concept.
- The addition of graphics or animation to your video, may extend the deadline
- The video production process varies for each project. Considering video demands across campus, a minimum of 10 weeks advance notice may be necessary.
Step 1: Form Submission and the Review Process
The video team will review and evaluate your request with the following considerations:
- Is videography the best communication strategy?
- Does this video require creative/storytelling treatment?
- Will the video impact the audience and inspire engagement with the university?
- How will the video benefit the department and university?
- What is the communication plan for this video? How and where will this video be used? Can this video be used in multiple applications?
- Due to the volume of requests we receive, videos with one-time use or low visibility may be denied.
- Are there other campus resources that would be better suited to meet the client’s needs?
- Our team is not responsible for event coverage or live streaming services across campus. These requests may be redirected to other resources.
- What is the deadline for the video and how does it conflict with our current project load?
Step 2: Conduct Pre-Production Meeting
If it is determined that a video is appropriate, campus resources are available and the project fits within the communication priorities of the university, our team will setup a pre-production meeting.
During the pre-production meeting we will discuss the following:
- The initial request to get a better understanding and determine the best approach based on the requester's need
- Content: including potential interviews, supplementary footage, and graphics/animation
- Timeline, including tentative deadlines
- Communication Plan
- Identify the project lead (see below)
- Determine necessary approvals
About the Project Lead
To best meet the needs of each project, it is important for our team to have one direct contact to assist with content development and related communication, a project lead. Typically, this is the person who requests the video.
This person should:
- Have a clear understanding about the objective and message of the video
- Have a communication plan for the completed project
- Identify ALL necessary approvals for the video and be responsible for the distribution of the video to the appropriate approvals
- Assist in identifying video content including interviewees and b-roll
- Assist in communication with interviewees when needed
Step 3: The Creative Brief
The creative brief will outline the information discussed in the pre-production meeting. It should give an overview of the project, list necessary footage and a tentative timeline that includes rough-cut and final-cut deadlines.
Step 4: Production
Once the creative brief has been reviewed and approved. Our team will work to set up shoot dates and capture the necessary content.
Step 5: Post-Production
The post-production process pulls together all content into a cohesive story.
Once post-production has commenced, the video producer will be in contact about any additional needs or concerns they may have. They may discuss the need for additional footage, video length, names and titles for lower-thirds, and follow-up about the expected rough-cut and final cut delivery.
The rough-cut will be distributed to the project lead/original requester with a suggested date for any notes or changes to the cut. Providing feedback by that date will ensure that the project meets its deadline. It is the responsibility of the project lead to forward the video to the necessary approvals. Please note that failure to provide notes or changes in a timely manner may affect the intended deadline.
When reviewing the video, you should:
- Review messaging of the video. Based on any pre-production and production meetings, the video should reflect the message and objective of the video. If the video does not meet those needs, please contact the producer immediately to discuss content.
- Determine if the video expresses the appropriate tone for your audience.
- Review any text included in the video.
- Take the time to define as clearly as possible what needs to be changed and why you feel it is a necessary change.
Once rough-cut notes have been received, the video producer will follow-up about any concerns, make changes and redistribute the video for final approval. A maximum of two rough-cuts will be completed prior to the final cut.
