5 Valuable Revisions to Take Your Content to the Next Level
So you’ve finalized your video concept, approved the script, and shot and edited the video. You’re almost finished! Only one small step left between you and sweet, sweet project completion: revisions. Depending on your agreement, most projects will include one or two rounds of revisions. Allowing for changes to ensure your true vision comes to life with the finished product. Small and easy, right? Wrong. While the specifics of the revisions process are often overlooked, this step is one of the most crucial in the entire project. Going through the revisions process is a tricky but necessary step of any video project. This process phase can open you up to miscommunication, re-work, and frustration on both your end and your video crew’s end. To avoid all this and keep your project on track, we have a couple of tips for you to follow.
Be Specific
The more information and insight you provide your video team, the closer they can get to the vision inside your head. There are a couple of easy ways we can do this:
2. Use time stamps.
Here at Cineflair, we use a powerful video-sharing tool called Frame.io., allowing users to leave comments directly on the video page at a specific time in the timeline. It is arguably the most critical tool we use when revisions with clients. This allows us to see the exact frame objectively or shot that needs to be updated or changed. Leaving no opportunity for miscommunication because the information is directly in front of us.
3. Keep it in scope.
Each project is built around a central idea, concept, or goal, often discussed in the initial stages of the project. When we reach the end of the project and start the revisions process, which can take weeks or months, it’s easier than you think to creep outside the original ideas or forget the specifics. It can cause unexpected comments to come in from left-field at the last minute, potentially derailing or delaying a project. Then, requiring multiple communications to clarify, understand, and then input the correct plan of action. To avoid this, and maximize your video team’s productivity through the revisions process, be sure to review the original agreement and structure your notes and comments with this scope in mind. Building on this foundation of mutual understanding between you and the project team will allow the team better to understand your words in the context of your discussions.
4. Timing is Everything
As mentioned above, most projects, including ours here at Cineflair, will come with a specific number of revisions allowed. Considering this: it is hugely important to make the most of your limited opportunity to request changes. Here’s how you can do that:
Get everything in at the same time
This one is pretty self-explanatory. With only one or two chances to make your and your team’s voices heard, you must include every single thought from every person on your team during the revisions process. More is always better. No comment is too small. Asking for changes afterwards that were missed or forgotten about can cost you - in fees, delay your project schedule, and negatively impact your final product.
Follow the rounds of revisions
It’s essential to pay attention to the types of notes and revisions provided depending on which round of edits we are on. It’s most efficient and effective to work sequentially, going from more extensive to smaller and allowing us to get more focused as we reach our final destination. First rounds usually come with a rough cut of the video. These notes are best suited for more significant changes, including changes of entire scenes, music type and genre, and ensuring we follow the agreed-upon rough concept and scope. Once these things have been established and agreed upon, we can make more fine tweaks and changes, including adjusting the cropping of shots, providing guidance on titles and motion graphics, or pointing out minor adjustments to the sound levels. Your comments will go further and make a more significant impact on your video if you follow this order of operations.
Quick turnaround on notes
In addition to following the rounds of revisions, it’s equally important to provide feedback promptly-- benefiting everyone involved. Not only does this maintain the momentum and keep your project moving forward, but your project team can make the latest changes. In contrast, the project is still top of mind, minimizing miscommunication, confusion, or digging through old emails to confirm notes previously commented. Essentially, a fast turnaround will keep the water flowing and exponentially increase the potential for your video, the collective capacity between you and the project team, and allow for your project to be completed on or even before the deadline. Everyone remains engaged and mutually enthusiastic about the project, preventing mistakes from happening.
5. No mystery voices
Ensure that everyone that has a say has the information from the beginning.
With multiple stakeholders on both sides of a project, we can run into a roadblock sometimes referred to as a ‘mystery voice,’ where an individual is not involved with the project. Or sometimes even utterly unknown to the video team, swoops in at the end and begins listing revisions and notes. The result is out-of-context comments, surprises for the project team, miscommunication, and lengthy delays. To avoid mystery voices, it’s imperative to introduce and include any person involved in the revisions from the beginning. Outlining the project scope and visions, communications procedures, and revisions structure collaboratively and openly. Thus, removing any guesswork, miscommunication, or confusion on both sides of the project. Moreover, mystery voices can often take projects backwards, muddying the vision and goals of the project with their out-of-context comments.
Ultimately, revisions are essential for every project and an excellent opportunity for clients to hear their voices and ensure the projected trajectory is within their visions. Following the steps outlined above will go a long way to take your project to the next level and get everything you can out of this opportunity. Now you’re equipped to give out some excellent revisions and take your video to the next level!
