The Brief

My client regularly films conferences for software publisher O’Reilly. Typically, an event will be hosted across multiple rooms for up to 5 days resulting in around 150 presentations requiring editing.

Implementation

Workflow, workflow, workflow.



My client is really organised on the shoot and when I receive the drive it is a duplicate of all the files neatly sorted by room and session. This marries up with a google doc on which I can comment about any issues or missing footage. This also ties into the host’s own website on which I can double check the session number with title and speaker in the event of any confusion.

More than anything it’s about the workflow. To process as this number of videos in a short time means that it’s all about having everything in the right place and being structured and methodical. Exports overnight mean the edits aren’t slowed down by day and there’s a structured spot check of the exported files before uploading.

It’s like spinning plates and trying to avoid metaphorical broken crockery!

The Result

After the first run we quickly fell into a very easy rhythm. I pick up the drive, download the graphics and am sent the link to the google doc. After that I just chug away in the edit. It’s a whole lot of worrying taken away from my client. They know I know what I’m doing and that everything will be on time. As the first week progresses we drip feed the finished files, pre-checked, to the ultimate client and they know that everything is on track.

In many ways it’s a dream job because they don’t need to worry, and I know they trust me to deliver. And I’m cost effective!