What to expect when you ask for the raw footage
After we do a project, sometimes clients will request their raw footage. While we are happy to share it since it’s rightfully theirs (they paid us for it) and we like to see companies maximize their video investment by repurposing content, working with the unedited audio and video can be more overwhelming than people think.
To avoid disappointment, here’s a look at what you can expect with raw footage and how best to work with your video production team during your strategy phase to ensure you’ll have the final assets you need.
The raw ingredients
Working with raw video and audio files is kind of like starting with the raw ingredients of a soup. You’ll need to chop the carrots, peel the potatoes and boil the water. In other words the audio may have background noise and uneven volume, and the video will not match the lighting or color of the initial shoot or the final product. While we combine audio and video recordings in a more manageable project file, raw files will be separate and large, which is why we normally hand them over on a hard drive as they would take a very long time to transfer over online.
You’ll notice a difference right away when you go to open a raw file on your computer. One major reason is that we shoot in LOG format, which allows us to be more flexible when editing colors in post-production to create the richest possible product or a certain look and feel. These are not typical MP4 video files that you can open in iMovie or QuickTime. They can require a powerful computer and special video editing software like Adobe Premier Pro or Final Cut Pro. If you can open the files, you’ll see that the raw LOG footage actually looks washed out. This can be much different than clients expect.
Discussing needs early on
If you know that your company may be looking to use some of your video footage for other purposes beyond the initial piece, let your production company know right from the start. They may be able to record in a standard color format, or if LOG is required for the shoot conditions, add another camera to record in a format that you’ll be able to work with later.
If we know our client is looking for additional content, we can include items like social media posts, website hero footage or a trade show booth version in the project scope, which creates an easy and affordable option since we’re already shooting and editing the footage. That way you can be sure you’ll have what you need ready to use upon delivery.
To learn more about working with raw video footage, listen to our podcast.