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Video Production Studio

Instruction Best Practices and Timelines

①
TIME

Time for production of a completed video can be deceiving. Below is an estimated time for production of a few of the most common projects assigned.  The times include relevant tasks from planning to completion.

PROJECT ESTIMATED TIME
3-5 min video: interview/informal (minimal production value) 1-3 hours
3-5 min video: remix/mash-up 1-3 hours
3-5 min video: creative/high production (special effects, field recording) 4-20 hours
10-12 min podcast: interview/informal (minimal post-production) 1/2-2 hours 
10-12 min podcast: creative/high production (special effects, field recording)
1-3 hours

②

ORGANIZE

 

Students can save production time by creating a schedule of their organizational tools.  Some steps in audio and video production, such as file compression, take a certain fixed amount of time. Requiring students to produce deliverables throughout their project will mitigate situations where it is impossible to complete the necessary work by a deadline. Examples of deliverables are listed below. 

DELIVERABLE DESCRIPTION DUE
Outline Key concepts, overall vision or approach, cast and roles, 3rd party media needed Before production
Script Dialogue - rough notes or exact dialogue to be spoken  25% into project
Storyboard Sequential list of shots, sketches, direction 25-50% into project
Rough Cut Unfinished audio/video edit 75% into project

③

SCHEDULE

Example of schedule for video production project.

WEEK TASK
1 Introduce project and rubric to students
2 Form student teams
3 In-library tour of the Video Production Suite
4 Outline and script due
5 Storyboard due
6 Production begins
9 Rough cut due
13 Video completed and submitted

④

BEST PRACTICES

Here are a few best practices to have in place for every project you assign and will improve your chances of success.

Visit the Video Production Suite
Let us show you what we have available for the students.

 Assign short projects
A good rule-of-thumb is that final videos should be 3-5 minutes long and podcasts should be at most 10-12 minutes.
Assign group projects
Media authoring involves multiple roles that often work simultaneously. Working in teams will improve the overall quality of outcomes. We recommend teams of 2–3 students.		 Require mid-project deliverables
Audio and video production is very feasible with a little upfront planning. Last-minute work is usually of very poor quality, if it’s finished on-time at all.
Provide copyright information
Copyright and fair-use are important to understand in media production. 
 

Decide publishing format
Where will students be posting their work?  Do you want it submitted on a flash drive?

 

This tutorial information adapted by permission from the Instructor's Guide to Media Activities from the Penn State Media Commons - 3/22/2018.