What are the best post-production techniques to enhance TV production editing and visual effects?

"We'll fix it in post" is one of the most insidiously lazy things to hear on a film set. It's rather like expecting a meal to turn out well when you use bad ingredients. Even when using heavy green-screen, James Cameron went through painstaking efforts to make the physical sets as close as possible to the world he was creating in Avatar, and with live actors. It not only helps avoid some of the problems with CGI (realistic expressions, realistic gravity), but having an interactive set that's not just an empty space enhances the actors performances.

It's become fashionable to dismiss storyboards and animatics as being crutches for directors who don't know how to direct a set. So much depends on the style and intent of the show. Boards and animatics produce great animated films. In live-action, boards and animatics allow the cast and crew to see what the intent of the set-up is. It saves time, it allows all the departments to prepare and communicate effectively. It provokes healthy discussion with post which often yields solutions that save time and money, and give the director more creative liberties. When you get onto set, you can improvise to your heart's content because the boards have provided a strong foundation.

Create a clear roadmap that allows all parties involved to understand project objectives, final delivery specs and an approved schedule. It's also important to set expectations, including deadlines for gathering of assets, target dates for both reviews and the return of consolidated feedback and final delivery date. The idea is to stick to a plan but be ready to pivot and adjust when needed.

Especially on smaller or independent productions, it's critically important to have clearly defined roles and "checkpoints" for each bit of creative in post. Setting clear expectations, defining guardrails, and implementing basic project management will save a lot of headaches in the long run, enabling success within the necessary boundaries.

Technically speaking, there are so many customized software available for the various genres of TV programmes. Black magic fusion, Adobe, Maya, blender etc. The AI technology has made this task easier and less time consuming. But according to me the best postproduction techniques must shape in the mind of director/editor. He or she should be able to see the end product vividly. The visualization part is the key for making your programme great. The rest is taken care by the technology.

Editing is the third rewrite of the story. I view the production process as a writing process, to tell the story with what you have. Story will slightly evolve from script, to preproduction, to production, and finally post. The edit is that last chance to rewrite, or refashion, the story with the collaborative material that has been created. It allows you to steer away from what isn't working, and lean into the surprises and material that elevates the story. Even in animation, which is so carefully planned, there is a lot of room to re-edit to tell a stronger story, to make a better film.

Don't consider audio as "lastly" it's a priority, it's at least half the production unless you're cutting for the Deaf community. Immersive and clear audio is essential to a quality production; the earlier audio elements are considered, the easier(cheaper) that goal will be. Folly noises are best made on site, and they sell a shot better than any lens or sensor. Close your eyes, folly and score done right, you won't need to see anything on screen.

We work in a visual medium; however, audio is still the most important element. Clear dialogue, a balanced mix -- essential. Audiences will forgive average visuals if they can understand the content. They won't forgive bad audio even if the image is high end. Lastly, don't neglect to build out the SFX and foley on a project. It's often the missing ingredient in taking the visuals and the entire project to that next level.

Enhancing TV production editing and visual effects involves a combination of techniques and tools to achieve a polished and professional look. Here are some of the best post-production techniques to enhance TV production: Editing Techniques: Precise and creative editing can improve the pacing and storytelling. Use techniques like jump cuts, match cuts, and montages effectively. Green Screen Compositing: If you're shooting on green screen, ensure proper lighting and clean keying techniques to integrate backgrounds seamlessly. Motion Tracking: Use motion tracking software to stabilize shaky footage or track elements into the scene. This is crucial for adding visual effects or compositing elements into live-action shots.

Picture your editing software as your artistic palette, and view these techniques as the colors and brushes you'll use to create your masterpiece. We'll explore elements like Color Grading, Sound Design, Visual Effects, Transitions, Noise Reduction, Motion Graphics, and Time Remapping, among others. Implementing these methods can dramatically elevate the quality of your production. Remember, the most effective editing seamlessly blends into the storytelling, captivating your audience to the point where they don't even notice the technical wizardry at play. Enjoy your editing journey!

Color editing is a discipline of it's own, but even basic and template edits can elevate a production greatly. In an expert's hands the color edit creates an emotional impact to the scene and draws the audience's eyes exactly where we want them. Camera matching can be tricky, planning ahead simplifies that process. In some instances stalking online discussions, or messaging the company's engineer team can lead you directly to the best solution. Don't forget to buy a really nice monitor though, and watch your graphs.

A tried and true method for VFX is to plan for them well in advance, this is more on the production end as opposed to the post-production process. A well thought out special effect sequence is always going to be easier to composite in post than one that hasn't been properly staged ahead of time. When a handgun is fired It's possible to add in the flash of light that falls on a subject during a muzzle flare - but that takes extra time in the edit and under a tight deadline can lead to an unconvincing effect. It's best to use a practical flash of light during the initial shoot so the editor can add in a muzzle flare with less time used and yields a higher quality result. The same can be said for much more advanced and involved effects work.

Are you an editor by trade with some experience in After Effects? Don't shy away from templates. They can be highly manipulated and will save substantial time. Obviously a dedicated motion graphics artist is preferable but even they will use templates when necessary as a time saving measure. There's a sweet spot in giving the client something unique but also meeting deadline. Just don't throw a heavily templated project on your demo reel...

Enhancing TV production editing and visual effects involves a combination of techniques and tools to achieve a polished and professional look. Here are some of the best post-production techniques to enhance TV production: Color Correction and Grading: Adjusting the color balance, contrast, and saturation can significantly impact the overall look of a production. VFX and CGI:For sci-fi, fantasy, or action series, high-quality visual effects are essential. Invest in skilled VFX artists and powerful software. Integration of CGI elements into live-action footage should look seamless and realistic.

Effects must complement the story, not overshadow it. For instance, using subtle matte paintings can enrich a scene without the audience ever realizing it's an effect. This approach not only saves on costs but also maintains the authenticity of the production. Embracing pre-made effects can be a game-changer, especially when customized to fit the unique style of the show. It's about enhancing the story, not just the image.

A really helpful thing you can do elevate your independent production to a higher level is to know your footage well before stepping into the editing bay. On a recent movie I graded, the Director spent countless hours going through every single take on his footage, logging every small moment and nuance and eventually creating a detailed document, which not only helped the editing process goes smoothly, it strengthened the story and made the small budget feature look & feel like a major studio production.

Knowing how to shoot for visual fx. It’s not all that easy to get good keys for set extensions, full on background and sky replacements. If you don’t know how to do that or how to adjust your style first easier fx plates, then you will have a time of it. Storyboard those shots and work with both your DP, fx team, and editor long before showing up on set. Winging it can kill your post timeline and budget.

The best way to learn is to be in the post-production that the best teacher you can learn a lot more from it. Joining a production house will help not only as a full-time worker it can be an internship too. And I believe there are workshops from production houses you can attend that network with people and understand and learn.

In my experience, unifying all post-production processes in one software is a game changer. Using DaVinci Resolve, I was able to seamlessly integrate editing, color correction, visual effects, and audio post-production. This centralized approach not only ensures consistency but also streamlines collaboration. With DaVinci Resolve, I leveraged advanced visual effects grading and merging tools, raising my audiovisual productions to higher standards with unparalleled efficiency and precision

Making more and failing fast will teach you more than any class can. Try to find some people more experienced than you to watch your work and give feedback. Also, just because you spent a long time making a mistake doesn't mean you should hold on to it.