Marlowe Studios provides several on-location video production services including shooting, editing, audio sweetening, mastering, and finishing.
Timeline of a project
Getting an outstanding video starts with excellent pre-production. This is the planning stage of your project. Resist the desire to start shooting immediately. Careful planning ensures that we have time and proper setup to get the shots we want rather than wanting shots we missed.
Pre-production
During the pre-production phase, we start with a consultation. You and I will sit down and work out the vision of your project; we want to get everybody on the same page. This may include outlining a basic script, coordinating schedules and picking dates, etc. Typically I will take that information and create an estimate for the project. I try to make a reasonable estimate on my time involved in setup, shooting, editing, and delivery costs according to my published rates.
When an estimate is agreed upon, a letter of agreement is presented which includes key project dates/times and outlines the details of the project. With signatures affixed approving the project outline, 20% of the total estimate is due. This deposit is refundable up until one week before the start of shooting.
The production continues as the script becomes finalized. Potential problems are identified and any adjustments to the scope of the project are communicated and planned. If there are significant changes which drastically alter the technical, time, or delivery constraints, the estimate may need to be adjusted. Remember, better communication results in a better outcome.
Production
Shooting takes place according to script and outline, which I will have adjusted for efficient capture. Even the most well thought-out plans have some hiccups. Adjustments will be made for unforeseen circumstances; not to mention the occasional in-the-moment creativity and inspired tangents. When production begins, usually the first day of shooting, an additional 30% of the estimate is due.
Post-Production
Post-production is the phase where all the hard work finally starts to come together and take shape. This process is time intensive, but often goes unseen by the client. It accounts for most of the work in a project. If the client has specific ideas of how it should all come together, they are welcome to join me in the editing sessions, but they must realize that this is often where seemingly small details are perfected. These details take time to polish and are often tedious and technical. Lo-res versions of a video are presented to the client for approval.
Delivery
A project is complete when an approved iteration of the final project is submitted to the client in the delivery format. Upon delivery, the client will be presented with an updated invoice reflecting the actual costs associated with the project, less payments already made. Before the final video is delivered to the client, the balance must be paid in full unless other arrangements have been made prior to the beginning of the project, and outlined in the letter of agreement.