Accessible Production Techniques
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Low-Fi Approach
- Phone Capture
- Audio recorded directly to the device
- Little to no on-screen text/graphics
Benefits
- Very accessible
- The learning curve is significantly lower
- Faster process, quick turnaround for projects
Challenges
- Less flexibility
- Limitations to what you are able to capture visually
- Not as many options to modify work in the editing stage and/or add music, graphics, etc.
- Overall lower quality
- Audio quality suffers from lack of microphone
- Low audio quality affects the audience experience more than lower quality visuals
Medium-Fi Approach
- Middle-grade HD Camera capture (eg: DSLR)
- Audio recorded directly to the device with microphone attachment
- Audio captured with an external audio capture device
- Simple on-screen text and graphics
- Derived from a template or third-party graphic generator
Benefits
- Still accessible within budget and training constraints
- Higher quality final product than low-fi methods
- Increased flexibility
- Higher quality audio
Challenges
- The learning curve is higher
- Working knowledge of basic camera operations
- Knowledge of post-production (editing) applications required
- While accessible, still requires both a budget investment (equipment purchase or rental) and time investment (training)
- The process is often longer than low-fi methods
High-Fi Approach
- Professional Grade Camera capture (4K, 1080p, etc.)
- Audio recorded directly to the device with microphone attachment
- Audio captured with an external audio capture device
- Custom on-screen text and graphics
Benefits
- Highest possible quality visuals and audio
- Highest level of flexibility
Challenges
- The learning curve is higher
- Knowledge of advanced camera operations
- Knowledge of post-production applications and workflows
- Requires higher level of budget investment (equipment purchase or rental) and time investment (training)
- Longer production process than lower-fi methods
Visual Examples
LOW-FI
MEDIUM-FI
HIGH-FI
Audio Example
LOW-FI VIDEO CLIP
MEDIUM-FI VIDEO CLIP 1
MEDIUM-FI VIDEO CLIP 2
HIGH-FI VIDEO CLIP
Putting it all Together in Post-Production
Low-Fi: Phone Applications
Benefits
- Very convenient and accessible
- Quick turnaround time
- Templates make for high-quality outcome with little training
Challenges
- Not a lot of flexibility
- Templates often aren’t customizable
- Some apps will tag any video produced with their own branding
Examples: Adobe Rush, Quick, iMovie
Medium-Fi: Entry-level Editing Software
Benefits
- More flexibility than quick-use apps
- Still fairly accessible
- Often offer templates to provide higher production value and cut down on the need for custom graphics and titles
Challenges
- While accessible to multiple levels of editing knowledge, they still require some training
- Do not possess the amount of flexibility and features that higher-grade editing applications have
Examples: iMovie, Windows Movie Maker
High-Fi: Entry-level Editing Software
Benefits
- High-end flexibility and features resulting in professional-grade video, audio, and graphics editing
Challenges
- Requires more extensive training and knowledge of editing technique, media type, and workflows
Examples: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut
Putting It All Together
There are three essential questions that will help guide media production:
- Who is your audience?
- What is the story/point?
- How are you reaching your audience? (How are you distributing the material?)
Keep a checklist of elements you need to capture in order to recreate the story in video form:
- “A” footage (interviews, comments, speakers, etc.)
- “A” footage drives the story
- ” A” footage often requires audio
- “B” footage (supporting visuals to create atmosphere, showcase the environment/location, etc.)
- “B” footage supports the story
Always produce your materials with the strengths and weaknesses of your production accessibility and resources in mind.