More commercial questions

S

s-audio

Active member
I will be starting my first video project as you my already know from previous posts. I had asked about the type of formats being used at local cable stations. Thanks to all for the much needed info.

I will be doing a 60 and 30 second spot and was wondering if these are the actual times? Or is it 58 and 28 seconds? The reason I ask is that I had heard some say to allow one second at the head and one second at the tail of the spot so it won't get chopped off in the beginning and ending buy other spots. Sorry if this sounds like a stupid questions but this is all new to me.

The other question. Should I supply some sort of lead in like a count down?

How do the pro's lay it out for broardcast?
 
Re: More commercial questions

Spots should be exactly :30 and :60. Chop off refers to anything important in the spot. For example, music should end about 6 frames from end of spot - things do get chopped every now and then by the engineer - but don't conform your overall spot that way. (Kinda like 'title safe'.) Countdown is not necessary - just be sure your spot starts on the minute (as far as timecode goes), preceded by 10 seconds of a slate and 10 seconds of black.
 
Re: More commercial questions

Sorry Cyclone, it is 29 and 59, with countdown, 5-4-3-2-black (1 second), with a 5 second (minimum) black roll out.

BTW, slates are seldom used for video work, as the video cameras record the sound (unlike film) making the "mark" unnessicary. The slates were used to sync the sound to the film, since they were recorded seperately.
 
Re: More commercial questions

A slate is also a visual marker at the head of the finished commercial stating the title, running time, sometimes copyright and ISCII code (most advertisers have their own unique ISCII code assigned by the AAAA). It is used to I.D., dub and traffic the spots. A local advertiser may not require an ISCII, but I would strongly recommend the slate. I, personally, have never heard of a :30 being :29 or a :60 being :59, unless you are referring to the safety measure I mentioned of not allowing critical audio into the last part of the spot (I suggested a margin of 6 frames). If I delivered a :29 or :59, there could easily be a second of black at the end of the broadcast spot. I haven't seen countdowns for many years, except for effect. Commercials are typically cued using their timecode (and are often prebuilt into pods by the stations). The spots are cued on the even minute. Countdown is typically used for manual motion picture projector change-over. If you DO use a countdown at the head of your spot, be sure to leave TWO seconds of black when the last number in the countdown you see is a "2" (which is the typical academy countdown, giving us the old phrase "2-pop").
 
Re: More commercial questions

While I've never cut a commercial, I have done a lot of TV over the years, and the gaps we left for commercials were always on the even mark. And the commercials ALWAYS had slates. Unless things have changed in the last 10 years, I'd have to agree with cyclone. I'd also add that you need to edit in drop frame mode.
 
Re: More commercial questions

I third Cyclone's lowdown. Never seen countdown for commercial or show that's been prepped for delivery. Always slates.
 
Re: More commercial questions

I do 'em both now. I have a countdown integrated into my slate, and the slate lasts 10 seconds (as does the countdown).
 
Re: More commercial questions

Commercials are a true :30 and :60, but vital sound should end at :29/:59 and let your picture finish out the final second.
Otherwise, you could get your final audio cut off.
 
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