The secrets of post-production
The secrets of post-production
We are dealing today with a much more technical and complex subject than one might think: post-production. As an essential audiovisual step, it contains many items and sub-steps to be considered for an optimal rendering. Complex and exciting at the same time, post-production has no limit. Here we take you behind the scenes of audiovisual post-production….
Behind the scenes of post-production
Post-production is presented as the set of operations that lead to the creation of an audio, visual, or audiovisual work. This key phase following production, leads to the final completion of a project.
According to Wikipedia, the early 2000s marked a turning point towards « the industrialization of digital post-production chains and the revolution in cinematographic techniques, which will lead to a restructuring of professions, customs and the market… Since the advent of digital technology, the post-production chain is almost identical for cinema and audiovisual ».
Post-production is the third stage, after pre-production and shooting.
Post-production includes all the techniques used to finalize a film or audiovisual product after shooting:
– Image mounting
– Sound effects
– Post synchronization
– Sound editing
– Dubbing
– Mixing
– Special effects….
This requires technical skills, but also creative, organizational skills… and thus also requires different jobs. Some experts will be more focused on audio, others on image…
Post-production is part of all the essential stages of a film creation, an audiovisual work:
– Writing (specifications, synopsis, scenario)
– Pre-production (graphic research, storyboard, decor and characters design)
– Shooting and animation (camera animation, lighting, modelling…)
– Post-production (editing, special effects, calibration)
– Final rendering, export and distribution (cinema screens, web, backups…).
Post-production requires hardware, software, editing stations, acquisition boards and interfaces, broadcast servers…
According to retourverslecinema.com, post-production is a long process. Once the rushes have been selected, a sound synchronization has to be done. So « editing is not the only task, you also have to mix. At that moment we realize the sound effects, the sound design, the soundtrack, we can re-record dialogues, add a voiceover »…
Image and sound processing on its own is not enough. It is necessary to ensure assembly, dressing, calibration (atmosphere harmonization), inlays and even subtitling.
During this crucial stage of editing, it is necessary to assemble shots shot in a non-chronological way, shots in several takes, including different versions of the same shot. This is what we call rushes. And it is a complex step.
Thus, many audiovisual productions work with Authôt for the transcription service with human time coded proofreading.
Indeed, these productions have hours and hours of video to transcribe and they need time markers for their video editing. Thanks to Authôt’s automatic transcription system, they send their audio or video recordings and then easily obtain the transcription into text. Audiovisual productions thus save time on their real post-production expertise.
Post-production and subtitling
Subtitling is a specific part of post-production.
According to apprendre-le-cinema.fr, subtitling is a way of « translating the words and inscriptions of a film or programme broadcast on the screen. It is the result of collaboration between a translator and a post-production laboratory”.
There are several formats for subtitling:.srt,.stl,.txt,.rtf,.xml,.asc,.scc and.mxf. Some formats simply transmit the text while others include closed captioning information, i.e. teletext subtitling for deaf and hard of hearing people.
The different steps in the process of creating subtitles:
– Spotting
– Synchronization
– Simulation
– Correction
At Authôt, we create subtitles using automatic speech recognition technology. Then we proofread and correct the transcription on the application. We then export it in subtitle format (.srt /.vtt).
We offer the complete service:
– Synchronization: manual calibration of the subtitle to the audio on the video.
– Translation into the desired language.
– Subtitles inlay on the video.
From A to Z we ensure optimal and professional rendering for post-production, including the key and complex subtitling stage.
Expertise in audiovisual production
There are several solutions for subtitling videos, but as post-production hides many key points, it is important to involve professionals.
Authôt transcription technology optimizes subtitle processing time. This speech recognition software automatically transcribes the audio from the video into text with time markers. On the Authôt application, users can review and correct subtitles if necessary. The exported text file can then be directly integrated into the video.
At the end of the process, the video becomes accessible.
Authôt’s technology and post-production are thus fully in line with digital accessibility.
Audiovisual production and post-production is a set of professions. This is not something that happens by chance. At Authôt, we have innovative, automatic technologies and a whole set of dedicated experts.
Our subtitling services described above (synchronization, overlay, translation) can be customized for each project and request.
In short, post-production is far from being a fast game when you don’t know the tricks of the trade. For a professional step-by-step follow-up of your works, audiovisual creations, do not hesitate to contact Authôt’s teams. Our experts will know how to make the right choices for your productions.
Authôt. You speak. We write.