Video and Digital Media Services Process and Expectations Guide

Summary

This article outlines the full video production process, from initial planning to final delivery.

Body

Overview

This article is designed for clients working with the IT Solutions Video and Digital Media Team. It outlines the full video production process, from initial planning to final delivery. It details what to expect at each stage, including timelines and responsibilities. It also covers communication expectations, file handling, and final ownership. 

Process and Expectations

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We’re excited to collaborate! Your participation is an important part of bringing your vision to life and we’ll keep you involved from start to finish. Here’s what to expect. 

Step 1: Pre-Production 

Pre-production is the process of planning the content and coordinating logistics.  

Video Team Contributions 

  • Propose the Schedule: We’ll work with you to outline timelines, including dates for filming, revision, and other key deadlines. 

  • Provide Creative Direction: We can support in developing your ideas through storyboarding, assist in writing scripts or interview questions, and recommend filming locations. 

Client Contributions 

  • Confirm the Schedule: To ensure timelines work for all, you’ll need to respond timely to the proposed schedule with confirmation or changes. 

  • Plan Your Content: You’ll outline your ideas by developing initial scripts, interview questions, or other written content. 

  • Coordinate Logistics: You’ll recruit and schedule interview subjects or actors and coordinate filming locations or room reservations. If filming is off campus, provide location permits. 

Step 2: Production 

Production is the process of physically capturing the content. 

Video Team Contributions 

  • Film Content: We’ll provide a full film crew of professional staff and trained student workers who use high-end equipment including cameras, lighting, and audio to capture your content. 

  • Direct On-Set: We’ll coordinate scenes, direct interviews, and even facilitate voice-over content if needed. 

Client Contributions 

  • Support On-Set: Depending on the extent of your project, our team may find it helpful for you to assist and share feedback during the shoot to ensure we capture your vision. 

Step 3: Post-production 

Post-production is the process of editing and revising the content through up to four drafts. 

Video Team Contributions 

  • Edit: We’ll create cohesive video drafts including sound design, graphics, animation, color correction, retouching, and more as needed. 

  • Revise: We’ll implement revisions according to your feedback until a final version is agreed upon. 

Client Contributions 

  • Provide Logos or Other Materials: If needed, we may ask you to send us high quality logo files or other materials, like archival footage, for use in the video. 

  • Provide Feedback: You’ll collaborate to provide feedback and direction on drafts, helping bring your vision to life. Note: We ask for your feedback on each draft within one week to ensure your project is done in a timely manner. If we don’t hear back, we’ll keep moving forward to keep the project on track. 

Step 4: Completion 

That's a wrap! At this stage, a hand-off of the final product occurs. 

Video Team Contributions 

  • Export: We’ll export the final files in the format(s) you requested and deliver the finalized product to you. 

Client Contributions 

  • Share as Desired: You’ll upload the final product to your video platforms, such as YouTube or social media. 

  • Credit and Link: We request that you include credits in the video description that we provide and share the video link with us. This supports our student workers as they build their professional portfolios and helps us promote our services. 

FAQ

What are the communication expectations? 

We use Microsoft Teams for official communications and day-to-day collaboration between our team and you. If Teams isn’t an option, we can use email. In order to bring your vision to life and meet deadlines for your project, we’ll need your prompt communication from start to finish. This is especially important during post-production, where you’ll help guide editing on the final product. If we don’t hear back from you within one week, we’ll continue moving forward to keep things on track. Regardless, we’ll still deliver the final product on time and you’ll be charged an invoice. 

What if a project needs to be paused or canceled? 

If your project is paused or canceled at any point, we’ll send an invoice for work completed to date, save all your project files in our archive for up to a year, and may resume work at a later date if requested. 

Who owns the final video? 

Ownership of the final product transfers to you upon completion and payment of all invoices. We may request permission to use excerpts or non-interview footage for portfolio samples, other projects, or to highlight the work of our student team. We reserve the right to use b-roll recorded for other university projects unless discussed otherwise. 

Who uploads the final video? 

Once we provide the final version of your content, you are responsible for posting the video to a hosting service of your choice. The Video and Digital Media Team is not responsible for hosting, posting, or uploading the video. If you need assistance, we can provide information on how you can upload your video.  

Is attribution required? 

We request that you include credits in the video description that we provide and share the video link with us. This supports our student workers as they build their professional portfolios.  

What happens to the original footage? 

All files are saved for one year after project completion. After that, we may dispose of footage depending on the type of content and our storage. If you’d like a backup of your files, please request within a year of project completion. 

Details

Details

Article ID: 1396
Created
Wed 8/20/25 12:56 PM
Modified
Wed 8/20/25 4:51 PM

Related Services / Offerings

Related Services / Offerings (1)

Video and Digital Media Services provides full-service video and digital media production support for academic, promotional, and informational content at Minnesota State University, Mankato.