A lesson about post production

Editing and coloring and stuff

When I am not working on a shoot, I usually work with the post production team editing videos. It has been really neat to see how a production company edits efficiently and effectively. Although each person may edit the same content a bit differently, based on their eye, the principles applied are universal! Here are a couple of things I have learned through asking questions and observing the production team at House of Sticks:

1. Start large and then work down to the details. The post production team first pulls out their favorite clips/takes. Then, they put those clips into the timeline in the order the script outlines or according to their creative eye. After that, they adjust the length of each clip. Then, they must decide where to direct the viewers eye by key framing or adding speed ramps. Lastly, they attend to details such as color correction, transitions, and music. This way, they don’t have to readjust or reedit much. It makes for an efficient process that meets client needs.
2. The client is in charge. This is a hard thing to accept, because often creatives want to make content “their way” for “their portfolio.” The production company must please the client because the client is the one paying for the video. House of Sticks is known for their open communication throughout the whole production process. They use programs such as Frame IO to collaborate with the client during editing. That way the client can make comments and tag parts of the video that they wish to change along the way. Through working with House of Sticks, I learned that not all videos make it into a company’s portfolio. Often times, the client wishes for something that the production team doesn’t agree with. Depending on the client, the production team must fulfill the clients’ wishes even if the client’s ideas don’t match their own. Even though this does not help the production company’s video reel, it does add to the company’s credibility and can lead to future work opportunities.
3. Work within the timeline. The post-production team at House of Sticks is paid per project. They told me that they do this so that they have an incentive to work fast. Company’s usually set the timeline for the project in advance with the production company based on the project’s budget and the production company’s availability. Then, the production team works as quickly as possible to meet that deadline. At House of Sticks, they only go over the due date when the client wants to make last minute changes. This adds to House of Sticks’ positive reputation and continues to lead to more clientele.
4. Google it. I don’t know why, but I was surprised to find out that the post-production team is still learning new editing tricks! Oftentimes, if they do not know how to accomplish a task within a program, they google it! Technology is always changing and a post-production team must stay up to date. This makes me want to take advantage of the internet and learn something new daily! No matter how much you have edited, there is always more to learn! It has been fun to look up how to use certain programs with the post-production specialist and learn together. I think that is what makes video work so rewarding; you never get bored!

I have loved working with the post-production team at House of Sticks. Not only are they very talented but they are extremely personable. They answer all of my MANY questions and are quick to admit that they do not know it all. I have been very impressed at their level of professionalism but also their willingness to learn from others, including me. I hope to take what I have learned above and their many great qualities into my future with video work. They are the type of people I won’t soon forget!