EPISODE
63
Season 2, Episode 24: 12 Part Series - The Creative Process - Post-Production
EPISODE LINKS.
SHOW NOTES.
Natalie McFarland and Ryan continue their filmmaking process series with part nine on post-production, discussing how they often juggle post on one project while preparing another. They emphasize first ensuring all video, photo, and audio are fully backed up before formatting cards, noting “last day on set” fatigue can cause missed media. They explain why voiceover scripts for 30-second commercials are often written after the shoot to reflect discoveries on location and to stay flexible when plans change, and they share tips for trimming long interviews using production notes and matching sound bites to storyboard and B-roll. They cover adding music early, including licensing more exclusive tracks or creating original scores to strengthen brand recognition, and touch on visual effects, sound design captured on location, color grading, titling, export requirements by distribution platform, and careful versioning and shared project files for revisions.
00:00 Welcome to McFarland Minutes
00:37 Series Intro Post Production
02:10 Backup Everything First
04:59 Voiceover After the Shoot
11:29 Editing Interview Pulls
15:37 Building the Timeline Music
16:22 Original Score for Brands
21:59 Why Theme Songs Stick
26:26 Attention With Music
26:56 Storyboard To Timeline
27:35 Avoid B Roll Trap
31:21 Layering Effects Wisely
34:27 Sound Design Matters
42:55 Color Grade And Titles
44:27 Export For Distribution
47:37 Versioning And Revisions
50:05 Wrap Up And Next Steps
ABOUT THIS EPISODE.
Navigating Post-Production in Filmmaking: Insights from McFarland Minutes
Welcome to another informative session from McFarland Minutes! I’m Natalie McFarland, your host, and today we’re diving deep into the intricate world of post-production. Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or just starting, understanding post-production is crucial to ensuring your project comes to life in the most compelling way possible.
Introduction to Post-Production
Post-production is a pivotal phase in filmmaking where all the magic of editing takes place. In this ninth part of our series, we take you through the steps we follow at McFarland Productions to ensure a smooth post-production process. With Ryan alongside me, we share experiences that highlight the importance of careful and deliberate editing.
Backing Up Your Work
One of the foundational steps in post-production is ensuring that all your data—audio, video, and more—are backed up. It’s easy to think you have everything saved, especially after hectic days on set. But as we stress, making sure you have all your footage backed up before formatting equipment is non-negotiable. Trust us, missing a card can put your hard work at risk.
Crafting the Perfect Voiceover
Voiceover plays a crucial role, especially in commercials. Ryan and I prefer writing the script post-shoot to incorporate new insights gained on site. This flexibility allows for a more authentic and relevant approach, prevented by overly rigid pre-production plans. Remember Captain Cold’s advice from *The Flash*: Execute the plan, but be ready to adapt.
The Art of Visual and Sound Effects
Visual effects enhance but shouldn’t overshadow the story. It’s like a well-baked bread; while butter and jam are great, they shouldn’t be the sole reason the bread is edible. The same principle applies—let effects complement, not overpower, your video. Sound design, including recording ambient noises on set, is essential. Authentic sounds ground your production, making it immersive and believable.
The Power of Original Music
Ryan and I touched on the value of original music, where brands like AgTexas Farm Credit Services have their unique compositions. An original score not only sets the right mood but also enhances brand recognition, similar to memorable commercial jingles like Home Depot’s catchy theme.
Preparing Your Timeline
After audio and visual components are ready, it’s about piecing them together. With a solid storyboard, creating the timeline becomes efficient. We can’t emphasize enough the value of pre-production; it saves you time and ensures that every piece of footage has its place.
Color Grading and Titling
Though only briefly discussed, color grading and titling are akin to choosing music—essential for setting the mood and tone. They are pivotal in crafting a visual narrative aligned with your story’s emotional intent.
Export Settings: Tailor to Your Audience
Export settings require careful consideration. Whether your project is for television, social media, or a jumbotron, each has different requirements. Ensure compatibility to avoid distribution hiccups. Prematurely labeling a project as “final” always invites revisions, so keep your working files organized.
Conclusion
Post-production involves meticulous planning and execution. Whether for a 30-second commercial or a feature film, each element requires attention to detail. Stay tuned as we explore review and revision processes in the next part of our series. Thank you for joining us at McFarland Minutes, and see you next Sunday for another exciting discussion on filmmaking!
IN THIS EPISODE.
Ryan Lee
Creative Content Manager, McFarland Productions
Starting as the Intern in 2023, Ryan is now the Post-Production Editor and has joined the team full time. His creativity and organization play a crucial role in quickly creating unique content all across the board, however with a core focus on video production. Ryan grew up in Gladstone, OR, where he spent time playing sports, on the water, and in the mountains. He attended Oregon State University where he got his Bachelors Degree in Digital Communication Arts. Although Oregon will always be his home, he spent previous years in Tennessee, and now lives in Connecticut. In his free time he enjoys cooking just as much as eating, and if you can do both outside, all is good in the world.
After spending time filming and editing countless events, sports, adventures and more, Ryan’s main action in the company is to organize, edit, and export content. Whether it’s 30 minutes and horizontal or 30 seconds and vertical, moving or still, he’ll take care of it.
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS.
NATALIE MCFARLAND
PRESIDENT, FOUNDER
MCFARLAND PRODUCTIONS
After freelancing her way through college, Natalie established McFarland Productions in 2014, which has continued to grow rapidly over the last few years. Her passion and focus have always remained the same; capturing, understanding, preserving and promoting Ranching, Farming, Western Lifestyle and AgriBusiness. She has always had a love for the western culture and even at a young age it was unmistakably clear she would someday find a career serving the industry.
Natalie grew up on a small ranch, rodeoed, showed horses in a variety of disciplines, showed livestock, and participated in 4H and Oregon High School Equestrian Teams. She has trained herding dogs and started colts, worked with sheep and cattle and has had the experience of racing to finish up a hayfield before a rainstorm hit. She understands the joys, sorrows, wins, losses and hard work of ranchers and farmers. That’s why McFarland Productions can produce authentic marketing campaigns for the businesses, organizations, events, and brands of the western and agriculture industry – it’s who she is.
With a passion for building community surrounding brands, Natalie focuses on building real connections between companies/brands and the people that make up their community. Telling the stories of your customers and making them apart of the brand’s story is her main focus. Creating real, human, meaningful connections and strengthening community within the western and agriculture industry through strategic marketing services.
SCOUT FOSTER
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC STORYTELLING
MCFARLAND PRODUCTIONS
Scout’s faithfulness to the agriculture and western sports industry is rooted in tradition. Growing up in Central Florida, she stood by her family as they supported different sectors of the industry, including raising beef cattle, bucking bulls for local rodeos, and spending weekends with her grandparents who lived on Disney’s Wilderness Preserve.
Moving away from The Mouse, Scout graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Nation’s top agricultural communications college at Texas Tech University in 2022.
Now residing in Crockett, she and her husband, Lane, keep busy raising beef cattle and bucking bulls with her family. Scout also loves gardening, raising chickens, reading, and her two dogs: Rue and Dill.
