Introduction: The objective of assignment 1.3 is to appreciate the importance and roles of definitions in technical writing for a novice reader. To achieve this, a relatively complex term is chosen and three different types of definitions (parenthetical, sentence and expanded) are to be written. By developing different levels of detail in a definition, a deeper understanding of how each one targets a specific audience and situation is achieved.
Term: Post-production
Situation & Audience: A company would like to create a new advertising campaign for their product, and a television commercial needs to be produced. Once the script is approved, a production meeting is held with the clients who are often not familiar with the post-production process. It is crucial that they have a good understanding of each step in order to manage expectations of the project.
Parenthetical Definition: Post-production (the editing of visual and audio material) is the final stage in television production (Maio, 2019).
Sentence Definition: Throughout this meeting, the term post-production will refer to the editing stages required after filming to combine the video and audio material.
Expanded Definitions:
1. Required Conditions
In order for the post-production stage to be successful, all team members must be involved in the editorial and audio stages, be open to collaboration (Chalcraft, n.d.), and provide feedback and approvals by the deadlines.
2. Examples
Post-production is used outside of a professional setting everyday (The Wrapbook Team, 2022). Video is filmed for personal platforms such as YouTube and social media, and requires editorial work to adjust length, apply audio and add filters or graphics – similar to the stages of traditional post-production.
3. Analysis of Parts
Post-production occurs once filming is complete, and involves editing the visual and audio materials to create a final product (Chalcraft, n.d.). To achieve a better understanding of how the process works, the following 9 stages are involved:
- Digital footage is delivered to the editing facility where it is downloaded, archived and cataloged.
- Based on the script, an editor will produce multiple ‘offline edits’, more commonly referred to as ‘rough cuts’, for client review and approval.
- Once feedback is received, the editor will make the necessary revisions and provide more refined edits called ‘fine cuts’ for client review and approval. These will include any applicable graphics (eg. logos, fine print).
- Upon approval, the picture is considered to be ‘locked’ and it is sent to the audio house for music design, sound effects and voice-over recording.
- Once the audio is complete, it is sent back to the editing facility where it is placed over the locked picture – a process called ‘audio layback’.
- Colour editing (also known as colour grading) is then applied to the final picture. This process gives the entire product a uniform look and feel.
- The final commercial is then given a unique title and code. This is used to identify the commercial at the stations and for any future dearchiving needs.
- It is then sent out for advertising clearances to ensure it is following broadcast guidelines.
- Material is shipped to the various television stations for broadcast.
4. Visuals
This visual of the post-production workflow illustrates each crucial stage that is required to take a concept from its scripted form to television broadcast.
Works Cited:
Chalcraft, J., & Satiko Gitirana Hikiji, R. (2020). Collaborative Post-Production. In The
Routledge International Handbook of Ethnographic Film and Video (pp. 214-223).
Taylor & Francis.
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780429196997-24/collaborative-
post-production-jasper-chalcraft-rose-satiko-gitirana-hikiji
Maio, A. (2019, November 21). What is Post-Production? A Quick Rundown & Why Trust
Matters. StudioBinder. https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-post-production/
The Wrapbook Team. (2022, March 1). Post-Production: A Guide Through the Fundamentals.
Wrapbook. https://www.wrapbook.com/blog/post-production
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