TV Commercials SOME TIPS?

sbaileymediaman

sbaileymediaman

Active member
Hi everyone,

I have a client who is interested in me doing a tv ad for them on my DVX.

I have never done one before and as far as broadcast standards I am right as a guy I know says he can do the final master copy for TV.

Does anyone have any pointers/tips when doing a TV ad?



Thought I'd just put this one out there as it may help others new to the Television Industry!

-Sbaileymediaman
 
I just had a commercial accepted today for TV. One thing I did wrong initially is edit in a 24p timeline. This screwed me up cause they noticed "discrete motion" ... basically the jerkiness we all refer to as the "film look" :) so edit in a 30fps timeline (29.97 assuming you're in NTSC standard definition)
This isn't to say you can't shoot at 24 (i did). just the final edit needs to be 30 / interlaced.

The other thing is color correction /levels and audio levels. Ask whatever the channel you're gonna be broadcasting on for what they need since it seems to change from station to station.
For instance, I kept hearing from people that audio levels are always at -12db for broadcast but the channel I was producing for required -18db so you never know.
 
Also make sure you begin with a slug--- title, run time, date, production company, etc. Then follow with 5 sec of black. Then color bars., then more black, then your commercial. Print to tape---find out if they accept minidv at the station to be broadcast. You may have to get it transferred to dvcpro, or D-beta. Some stations will accept DVD's too, just make sure you check. ALSO USE NEW TAPE. Don't take a chance using an old tape. Especially if you are giving it to them on miniDV. Some decks have a hard enough time as it is playing the minidv tape with the adapter. I would just transfer it to what ever format is standard for them. Also make sure your colors are broadcast safe, and your audio peaks no higher than -12db. Some stations wont accept a commercial if this isn't done. Check the audio level though cause some people have different standards there too.
 
Hi,

I shoot all my TVC's in 25p (mini DV) and they look awesome. I just upload my MPEG2 file with a clapper JPEG (same key numbers) Then it get's delivered to the station of choice. The company that distributes the TVC adjusts the audio and as long as it's not clipping it comes out perfect. I have never had to use broadcast safe colours either. I can't believe ppl still have to screw around with tapes & dubbing and colour bars..lol.
 
The normal NTSC TV spot format is:
Slate
Bars with 0db tone (30 sec)
Countdown

The rest is up to the client/agency/you for the content
 
I'm in the same spot. I have my first commercial for tv coming up in two weeks. We storyboarded. A lot.

We also wrote in a bunch of secondary shots because we know we won't be able to get in to the location again. So if your client decides they want a softer, slower, or quicker feel after you've shot, you'll have a few extra cuts to make your way back to.

Someone also suggested to make sure your following the saftey bars for action and text, and to shoot like some tv's will be able to see the whole picture (on a hd wide tv) and some won't be able to see a whole lot of the picture (on a 20% overscan blue-lite special from 1985).
 
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