Is it possible to shoot, edit and deliver 75 videos within 18 hours?

When GE asked commercial photographers Casey Templeton and Brett Lemon this question, they set out to build a lightning-fast video workflow.

On-Demand Webinar

Now, in a new on-demand webinar, go behind the scenes with Casey and Brett to get a closer look at their creative process. Get a breakdown of their tools and their workflow, and inspire your future video marketing projects.

You’ll learn:

• The steps to take before a shoot to ensure a faster turnaround time
• Casey and Brett’s step-by-step workflow for GE
• The impact of instant gratification with your visual storytelling

Watch the on-demand webinar below, and keep scrolling to get all your questions answered!

All Your Questions Answered

Read through the Q&A to see Casey and Brett’s answers to our questions from the audience, and be sure to tweet any more questions @getlibris!

And, be sure to check out more of our Libris Visual Storytelling Webinars.

How many people were involved on the production end of this project?

We had a team of 3 on each shoot day. Casey directed the teams, Brett managed files and editing and Stu was our grip/gaffer and camera operator.

Did participants sign any kind of release?

Not with our team. Since these videos were strictly internal, there was no focus on releases. However, like many of our clients, these managers usually have signed a release in their employment agreements with GE.

What was the reason for different sessions?

These leaders are from all over the world, and come and live on their NY campus for two weeks. Groups of 70-75 were the right size for this program.

Since the videos were done in one take, were the people speaking reading from a teleprompter?

We requested each leader speak from memory with no notes. This kept focus on this being a meaningful reflection and not a scripted message.

How many cameras were used?

One Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro with roughly 200mm focal length. 4K.

How was the audio recorded? You mentioned “in-camera” and not a lot of post-production. Can you share more of that process?

Two boom mics recording straight to camera with backup split to the Atomos Shogun. One boom placed overhead and the other under.

At what part of the process did you create the intro and outro?

We created this before our first recording and had it approved by client so we could prep the timelines in Premiere.

Did you have to render each 4K video in Premiere Pro?

No rendering was needed. Playback resolution was set at ½.

I’d love to know how you edited 4K on a laptop?! What’s the storage / processor?

The Macbook Pro handled the footage flawlessly. 3.1 GHz Intel core i7, 16 GB memory, Radeon Pro 560 4096 MB, Intel HD graphics 630 1536 MB.

How did prep work affect the shooting and turnaround time, did you spend more time preparing?

Pre-production was essential. 2-3 hours were spent creating project with bins and sequences. The key was naming each sequence to match the master file naming structure. When exporting, each video is already named accordingly.

Just to clarify, you were building sequences/editing on site?

Building the sequences the morning of shooting and editing that evening on site.

Was it just talking heads, or was there B-Roll incorporated?

None – just intro, their recorded message, outro.

Did you incorporate graphics and/or titles with these?

Yes, with both intro/outro.

How long did you spend editing each of the 1 to 3 minute videos? Did the videos get any kind of review before being sent to the client?

Once the process was down, the edit time per video was around 3 minutes. There was no review before being sent.

About editing: did you pre-build each sequence (titles, gfx, muzak) and then just plug in the appropriate video?

Everything was pre-built and laid out in order to drop the videos per individual. It was all about speed of the edit.

Did you begin editing the early shoots as the later shoots were taking place?

I wouldn’t start the editing process, but would populate the sequences to be prepped for the edit later in the evening.

How many different Premiere project files did you end up with and how many sequences were within each of them?

Around 5 project files and 700 + sequences.

Was this a Libris account set up exclusively for this project or was this all set up on a pre-existing Libris account GE had?

I had created a demo site beforehand, and realized during the demo process that it was the only platform that would support the promise I had made for hosting, delivering, security of the videos.

Was there a client review of the footage/message prior to uploading to Libris and finalizing the footage?

None.

Are GE leaders viewing the video within Libris?

Yes, all on Libris. Check it out:

What type of video files can I play within the Libris platform? And can they be downloaded?

From the editor: Libris can handle many video file formats, such as:

• MOV
• MP4
• M4V
• Other common video files from DSLR and other cameras, or those created by video editing software

Full video support can depend on many factors, such as a video’s frame size, frame rate, data rate, codec, and other factors. The general rule of thumb is: if it uploads and displays as a video file, we support it. Learn more.

How many TB of space did you use for the project?

2-4 TB.

If I understand the permissions you used, is it correct to assume that users are only able to see the products under their own permission, i.e. their own/their team and no other products, even though all are resident in the storage area?

Correct. They click on the link that comes to their email account and after putting in password, they only see their team. I’m able to fully control what they can/cannot see.

What was the response from the teams you worked with when you delivered the final product?

LOVED THEM! My client speaks more to this in the video at the top of this post.

Why was the quick turnaround so important to this particular project?

Helps on the transition back to their teams at their home offices around the world. Also is the freshest in the mind and has highest impact being so close to the experience.

Are quick turnarounds something that your corporate clients are requesting more and more now?

Absolutely. I’ve spoiled them.

Without giving away trade secrets, how did you price your effort? By day / by segment / overall project, etc.?

I priced it on a bulk method and knew it was 9-10 sessions and was fully internal usage.

Cover image by Kristin Twiford.