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Once you have completed the ‘Media Request form’ we will get in touch to book an ‘Initial Consultation’. These meetings are normally between 30 minutes and an hour and are used to go through your request form and flesh out the requirements, deadlines and budget (if it is a project that requires paying for). Specific things that we may discuss are as follows:

1. The main objective or purpose of the media asset(s) you want to create
2. Target audience for this media asset(s)
3. Specific message or information you want to convey
4. Actions or outcomes you hope to achieve by using this media asset
5. Number and type of media outputs you would like to produce
6. Media style and resource type
7. Number of contributors
8. Hosting platform
9. Ideal deadline for completion of all assets

These questions will help us make sure we fully understand your needs and expectations and confirm that we are the right team to take on the work.
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The next step is for us to review all the information discussed in the meeting. We will then identify if there is capacity for us to take on the project within the deadline you provided.

If the project consists of creating a teaching resource, we will work with a Learning Designer to ensure that the pedagogic needs are met.

Once we establish that we understand your needs and that we have the capacity to take on the project, we start drafting a Project Scoping Document. This document holds all the key information agreed upon, including timescales and deliverables.

One of the Media Producers will work with you to fill this in. Once all parties sign off the document, we will send it to the Digital Learning Manager and respective Deputy Head of School; this will result in the project request being formally booked in.Ìý

As the project gets under way, we will keep track of the timescales and agreed tasks and provide you with regular contact and email updates.

TheÌýfollowing steps (below) are tailored for video production but if producing other media elements such asÌýStoryline interactive content/animation, the process is much the same.Ìý

The pre-production process starts by taking the key content of the video and turning it into a script with visual cues. The style of the video, according to your preference and examples you provided, is also considered at this stage.

An example script storyboard

If we are planning an interview, the script is more of a guideline to have an idea of the content that needs to be covered (unless it needs to be specific due to the subject matter). We therefore recommend having bullet points that you or any other interviewees can review on the lead up to the filming.  
This stage of production is crucial as, in our experience, the more we plan each project the better the final result.So, take your time in thinking about what you want the outcome to be. 

The final version of the script is a team effort - if you have an idea, get in touch and we can help with expanding and refining it. You don’t need to have a perfect final version before coming to us - we can help!

The best scripts tend to: 

• Be natural, engaging and interesting - edit the wording and make the script/notes your own
• Be to the point, short and easy to understand
• Sound good when read aloud
• Convey your core message without too many details

At this stage it is always good to start thinking about any images or video inserts that you'd like us to use.

During post-production we put together all the elements and this is when your video comes to life. 

Here are the different stages of interview editing: 

• Assembly - all the relevant interview footage is topped and tailed. This means getting rid of the questions the interviewer might be asking/mistakes so that all that is left is the useable footage; 
• Rough edit - this is where the storytelling starts taking shape. Please note that at this stage it is important to just listen to the content as the visuals will contain jump cuts etc. It’ll all be polished in the next editing steps; 
• Fine edit - we add relevant shots to the talking head (bespoke or stock) - this is both for keeping the viewer interested and to cover up jump cuts; 
• Final cut - we then polish the fine edit by colour grading the footage, adding music, logos and any graphics until we have the final product. 

WatchÌýour videoÌýÌýtoÌýgain a visual understanding of the steps described above.

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We would normally send our key project partner a version of the video after each step is completed to gather feedback. If there are multiple people involved in the project we would designate a main point of contact to collate all feedback before sending it back to us to action. The process of editing is to start out by making sure the core content is correct and only as detailed as it needs to be. We always focus on content, narrative and pacing in the early stages of an edit. As the process goes on, we will refine the edit and add things like music, titles and additional images/video.

When you’re satisfied with the project, everything is signed off.

We will provide you with the video or published file for you to upload on to your YouTube account, website or Blackboard course.