Best format to deliver video to client?

[Ferret Lady]

Just finished up my second big music video and as time goes on I'm always trying to do things RIGHT. so lemme ask you this.. how do you usually deliver the final product to your client?

I was thinking of doing two things.. one, a dvd-r burned with MOV files exported out of fcp (One with no lower thirds, no end credits, and one with), and also compressed versions as well for uploading to the net. i also provided behind the scenes video which i'd do the same thing with... is it ok to xport out of final cut pro and give them that? since that is techinally a final cut pro movie?? i know you can go 'open with quicktime' but should i do this another way ??

and then also a DVD with a custom menu and both the music video and the behind the scenes video on it, and maybe a photo slideshow of pics taken during the shoot.

What do u guys usually do?

 

[milksac]

What do u guys usually do?

I discuss the deliverables during the initial meeting with the client. Once the budget is approved everything is clearly spelled out and agreed upon by both parties. All this takes place before shooting begins. After the project is complete if the client decides they also want alternate versions or other forms of the finished piece that weren't initially agreed upon then we draw up another budget for the additional work. Nailing down the clients expectations up front is extremely important in controlling costs.

...also a DVD with a custom menu and both the music video and the behind the scenes video on it, and maybe a photo slideshow of pics taken during the shoot.

These are the types of elements that need to be established up front. A well designed menu driven DVD takes more time to produce than a disc with no menu. A photo slideshow takes time to create. There's nothing wrong with delivering these items, but you should budget for them appropriately before you begin the project. The old adage, "Time is Money" is absolutely true. If you don't factor in the time it takes to complete these additional tasks then you end up losing money in the long run.

Specifically regarding the "best format to deliver". Again it depends on the clients needs. If they are submitting their video to a network (MTV, CMT) it may need to be on DigiBeta or HDCAM. If this is just a video for the band to show around then a video DVD is sufficient. If the band wants a video for the web then you need to check with the person who manages their website to see if they want a QT, WMV or FLV.

There's no 'one size fits all' answer. Sit down with your client before you start the project and figure out their expectations. Then budget accordingly.

 

[Ferret Lady]

great answer, thank you!

what I'll do is figure out how much time it takes to put together this custom dvd menu and maybe find out about packaging too... good to know for the future, so i can offer it as an option for the next client.


Thanks again.

 

[Ferret Lady]

another question.. when giving them client the data disc (DVD-R burned with different versions of their video)... should i be doing something to change it from a 'final cut pro quicktime movie'???

i know i can make it just a regular quicktime .mov file if i do some compression but i dont want it compressed..so........ what should i do?

 

[milksac]

The short answer is to burn a Final Cut quicktime and move on to the next client.

The long answer is that Quicktime is only a wrapper for the file. What's important is the codec used to encode the file. A quictime file encoded using Apples DVCPRO codec, probably won't playback on most PC's. Also, if you use the ProRes codec they may need to load the Prores codec onto their system for playback. An uncompressed QT or a QT compressed with the animation codec should be universally compatible.

The bigger question is why are you giving them this file? Did they request a quicktime?
Deliver a video DVD and leave it alone. Create a 2 master archives, high quality quicktimes burned to data disks and store them at your facility. If they need an alternate version such as file encoded to flash for the web you have the 'master' so you can provide (and charge for) that service. If over the years you produce additional videos for the client you should retain those master disks as well. Then when they want a compilation DVD with all their videos you have all the masters and have an existing relationship with the client so your company creates the compilation disk and is paid accordingly.

From a business perspective it pays to hold onto the source materials - camera originals, project files and of course masters. This is the way most post facilities operate, keeping their clients materials in a well organized secure library. This ensures that the material isn't lost and that when new work needs to be done they come back to the same facility time and time again. With the new work comes new money. Money is good.... this is the business forum after all isn't it?

 

[Ferret Lady]

oh yes, definitely good advice on keeping all the original files.. i did plan on that anyways but i appreciate the detailed info on the benefits of that.. but trust me, i'd never throw out this music video, it's my baby!!!! (until the next one ... ha ha..)

i am burning a dvd but they also need .mov files for uploading to internet and also, for example, a local tv show which has agreed to play the video. this tv show says a high res .mov file is fine and does not require closed captioning or it to be on betasp or anything like that, such as muchmusic would.

i just am confused as to whether or not a final cut pro quicktime is okay. it ends with .mov, but has the FCP icon. i'm talking the video you get just from going export > Quicktime Movie > current settings / include audio and video /markers - plain / make movie self-contained... and SAVE.

 

[AwakenedFilms]

HI Allison,
The FCP icon is simply a form of meta data that FCP puts on the properties of the file (command+I) you will see an drop down that says "open with". It is eactly the same file all things being equal, whether FCP encoded it or quicktime.

In fact, it is likely that another computer without FCP will see it as a quicktime icon. if you really want to change the icon back, Command+I is the way (but completely unnecessary).

You will probably find that jpegs, tiffs...etc will change icon when saved by photoshop. They are stil l the same file and can be opened by preview or a windows program.


The only problem you may run into is if you save using current settings and those settings are DVCPRO HD. I don't think any old computer without DVCPHD can play it (FCP installs the codec).


J

 

[BradFu]

Export using Quicktime Conversion (second option under Quicktime Movie), then you get a menu with much more options and controls.