The 101 of Post Production Briefing

As producers of film and video productions, there are many aspects of a project to juggle, all of which need to be seamlessly orchestrated and controlled – often on tight deadlines, with restricted budgets. For the post production editing phase, one of our critical tasks is that of effectively communicating the project vision and expectations to the editor. With this being a key role to successfully bring a production to screen, getting the editor briefed in and on the same page, as quickly as possible, can be crucial to the success and outcome of the project.

The Approach

There are a myriad of approaches that could be taken in briefing your editor. We’ve seen a (sometimes too) minimalist approach of just dumping the footage on an editors lap (and hope they figure it out), to producers that can be overly prescriptive, micro managing editors to the point of stifling creativity in the process. Let’s take a closer look at some tips to not just get the editor timeously up to speed, but to also give the process the right structure that gives space for creativity to thrive.

1. Be clear on objectives. Before meeting with the editor, clarify your project’s objectives, tone, and target audience. Outline the key themes, emotions, and messages you want to convey. This groundwork will provide a solid foundation for the editing process.


2. Briefing materials – these are your friends. Arm the editor with all the necessary materials, including the script, storyboard, shot list, and do yourself a favour – include relevant references, these go a long way to very quickly communicate the audio visual language and style being envisioned. The more relevant information the editor has at their disposal, the better they can understand the vision and execute it effectively.


“Approach the editing process as a partnership…”

3. Your vision – make it known! Clearly articulate your creative vision for the project. Make a point to describe the desired pacing, mood, style, and overall aesthetic. Be specific. Use descriptive language as needed to convey the atmosphere you envision, whether it’s gritty and intense or light-hearted and comedic.


4. Encourage collaboration. Foster an atmosphere of collaboration and open communication with the editor. Encourage them to share their ideas and insights, as their expertise can greatly enhance the final product. Approach the editing process as a partnership rather than a one-sided directive.


5. Provide feedback, constructively. When providing feedback on rough cuts, focus on constructive criticism that helps guide the editor toward your vision. Be specific about what works and what doesn’t, offering suggestions for improvement where necessary. Remember to praise the editor’s strengths and acknowledge their efforts.


“Maintain organized communication channels…”

6. Stay organized, have a system. Along with maintaining organized communication channels, have a dedicated and pre-determined file-sharing and review system to streamline the exchange of materials and feedback. This ensures that everyone involved in the project remains on the same page and can access the necessary resources easily.
 Tools such as Frame.io and Filestage does a great job of pooling feedback in one interactive space and most offer free options to get started.

7. Make room for some play & experimentation. Allow the editor some creative freedom to explore different approaches and techniques. Sometimes, the most innovative and impactful moments arise from experimentation and allowing laterally thinking from a fresh pair of eyes. Embrace opportunities for innovation while staying true to your project’s goals.


8. Consider a review ‘schedule’. While your editor may be crafting along on their own, the process still remains collaborative. This means regular feedback and stage reviews are important to course correct progress of the edit. The frequency, and at what stage of the edit reviews should happen, should be something discussed and agreed upon upfront with your editor.

“…trust in your editor’s expertise and creative instincts.”

9. Be clear on technical considerations. Discuss any technical requirements or constraints that may affect the editing process, including consideration of media file specification requested by broadcasters or the delivery platform. Factors such compliance testing, copyright clearance, delivery formats and codecs, resolution and aspect ratio, among other affect the editing process across initial setup, color grading, and sound design, so is best communicated upfront. Collaborate with your editor to ensure that the final product meets technical standards and specifications.


10. Make way! Ultimately, trust in your editor’s expertise and creative instincts. They possess a unique skill set honed through experience and training, allowing them to transform raw footage into a polished masterpiece. Give them the space and support they need to work their magic.

Conclusion. Effective collaboration between producers and editors are essential for bringing the vision of a successful video production to life. By incorporating some of the steps above, producers can ensure a productive and successful creative collaboration that should result in content that resonates with audiences and achieves artistic excellence.

Which of these would be most of a challenge to implement?