We have put this page together for you to help you better understand the process of making your DVD. We believe in keeping you informed about your project, and its progress. This guideline will familiarize you with the different stages, and terminology in your production. While this formula is widely used, it varies from one project to another. The difference would be if the production is "shoot-from-the-hip" or "shoot from the script".
1. Scripting, and the Shot-List
The first step in film production is to collaborate ideas. During this stage,
a rough outline is drawn of the project. Segments that need to be covered,
locations, target audience, etc. Then it is further broken down to how
to shoot each of those segments. (Also known as "The Shot-list") The Shot-List,
or shooting list, is crucial for any scripted production, as it serves as
a reminder of all the scenes that need to be acquired. Sometimes just a 5-second
shot could very well be the one that seams two segments together, and could
easily be overlooked without a shot list. On the other hand, shot-lists are
not always necessary. For instance, wedding video's are pretty much already
scripted, and therefor "shoot-from-hip" scenarios. You already know what is
going to happen in sequential order. The ceremony, vows, the kiss, and the
reception festivities. But for a tutorial, music video, or feature film, a
shot list is very important.
2.Story Boards
The next stage, if necessary, is a detailed visual shot-list.
This is known as Story-boarding. Story-boards are best compared to a comic
book. When an outside camera crew is brought onto a production, story boards
will be one of the first things they will ask for. A story board depicts the
directors concept and vision of how he wants a particular scene to be shot,
at particular angles. Not all productions will utilize this stage. Only extremely
intensive shoots such as feature films, music video's, and some scenes from
tutorials and other productions utilize this step of the process.
View the Story Board for The Amulet
Part 1
View the Story Board for The Amulet Part 2
Here you see a simple example of a story board taken from the silent, Hitchcock-style
short film "The Amulet". Click here to see how this story
board turned into a short film.
Here is another example, more complex, taken from "The
Amulet 2" Click here to see how this turned into
a short film.
3.Production
Stages one and two are categorized as "pre-production"
the next stage will be production. This is where the action happens, and the
cameras come in. All of the footage that will make your production is acquired
during this stage. For some productions this process can take anywhere from
one day, to six months depending on the extent of the production. Generally,
this is based on when locations can be acquired, people of subject, and weather
conditions.
4. Post Production
This is the final stage of your production. And the longest, most time consuming
stage. Now that all of the footage has been acquired, your video will now
come together like a puzzle and be assembled using professional editing equipment.
This is the stage where narrations, text, color filters, and audio adjustments
will occur. After the entire video has been assembled, and everything looks
good, it then moves on to what is known as "DVD Authoring".
Here, your DVD menu page, and chapter menu pages are created. Chapter markers
are added specifically, so that viewers can navigate though your DVD, to points
that you choose. Most of our clients prefer to let us work "the magic" on
our own, but we do like to express that you do have the option to choose.
5. Duplication or Replication?
So the project is done, and now the question is, do you plan to distribute
this DVD? While some clients may only want one or two copies, or a few to
circulate in-house, others may have distribution, retail sales, or a large
faculty staff or clientele in mind. The difference between duplication and
replication is that duplication generally means
up to 300 copies are made from one DVD-R copy. This process can be slightly
more costly as each one of these DVD's are burned in small quantities at a
time.
Replication, however can be a smarter, more cost efficient choice if you decide that you want more than 300 copies. For this, your DVD is sent to a replication house, where they will create what is called a "Glass Master", a special DVD coated with glass that is used in a machine called a replicator. This is best described as mass production, at a fast rate. The machine is so fast, that up to 50 copies of your DVD can come out even after the machine has been powered off! This process is used to create DVD quantities with a minimum order of 300 and an infinite maximum. And yes, even millions. For an additional charge, the replication house will also design your DVD artwork ,print the case cover, front and back, inserts, on-disc print, poly-wrap, and make your DVD "retail-ready" complete with UPC bar code.
