Video production terms of service
Our approach to production and standard procedures
We share this information about our standard procedures to be clear about what we’ll deliver and when, and how we can do it. If your project requires a different process or more flexible workflow, please let us know and we’ll work with you to tailor our approach.
The workflow process
Video and animation production is made up of three stages – pre-production, production and post-production.
- Pre-production includes creative work such as interview preparation, scriptwriting, and storyboarding as well as logistics such as shoot coordination and planning.
- Production includes practical work such as filming, illustration and voiceover recording.
- Post-production includes editing, technical work such as colour grading and audio mixing, graphics and animation, and creating accessibility products.
Feedback and approvals
The production process can be creative and exciting as ideas emerge and videos start coming to life, and we’ll ask you to use some imagination along the way as you review written content, watch draft videos and provide feedback. We look forward to providing clear advice and guidance throughout the project so there are no surprises, and we’re always happy to clarify or workshop any issues.
To meet project timelines, feedback must be provided within agreed timeframes. We ask that feedback from all stakeholders is consolidated into a single response. If we receive conflicting feedback, we will follow up to clarify before proceeding. Delays to feedback may push delivery dates out by at least the same duration.
If feedback is not received within agreed timeframes, the project may be placed on hold. Restarting a paused project may incur additional scheduling and resource costs, and revised timelines will need to be agreed in writing.
During the pre-production stage:
- two rounds of feedback are available on pre-production documents such as scripts, location briefs, interview guides and storyboards. There may be projects that require additional rounds of feedback. This can happen but will need to be flagged early and accounted for within the budget. Additional rounds of feedback beyond those included in the project plan will incur additional costs and may affect delivery timelines.
The most effective feedback identifies issues or areas for improvement without direct modifications, so we request comments on word documents and PDFs, or written feedback via email.
- approvals are vital for moving into production. Changes to approved work will require a budget variation and revised timeline, to be agreed in writing before work proceeds.
These approval points are your opportunity to ensure and confirm you are happy with the creative direction and work such as scripts and storyboards.
During the production stage:
- there may not be an opportunity for feedback, depending on the nature of the project (e.g. a one-day shoot). If possible and practical, we will provide work samples or other options for feedback (e.g. updated shoot briefs, screengrabs of vision, debriefs of work completed).
During the post-production stage:
- For live action videos
- edit drafts will be provided for three rounds of feedback, with the final round used for approval and quality assurance only.
- the first draft video will include, at a minimum, the content of the story, such as interview grabs and scripted content, and indicative visuals.Feedback on this draft should focus on the content and structure of the story, as well as considerations for visuals and music.
- the second draft video will include, at a minimum, updated content, footage overlay, graphics, and music. It will showcase engaging storytelling and imagery, giving an accurate sense of the final product, but will include some technical elements that are not finalised, such as audio mixing and colour grading. Feedback on this cut should focus on the overall look and feel of how the elements come together to tell the story.
- the final video will be of publishable quality, with all technical elements finalised. Feedback on this round is an opportunity to confirm we have captured all feedback from the previous rounds and complete a quality inspection.
- For animations
- edit drafts will be provided for two rounds of feedback.
Feedback should focus on work that builds on the approved storyboard and script, such as how illustrations are animated, timing, and sound mixing.
- For all video and animation post-production feedback rounds we use Vimeo review pages, which make it simple to leave targeted comments and give collaborative feedback. We also welcome written feedback using timecodes or other clear direction.
Accessibility
The Social Deck provides Closed Caption subtitles for every video (i.e. onscreen text that matches the dialogue and can be toggled on and off).
We recommend Closed Captions as best practice because of their flexibility – people who are hard of hearing can turn them on throughout the video, while people with sensory issues who find them overstimulating can leave them off.
Depending on budget and delivery timeframes, The Social Deck can also create accessible products such as:
- Auslan translations
- Dialogue transcripts
- Descriptive transcripts (i.e. dialogue and description of visuals)
- Videos with embedded captions (i.e. captions cannot be turned off)
- Videos with audio description (i.e. additional voiceover that describes the visuals)
- Audio versions (audio only or including audio descriptions).
We will prepare accessibility products only when the video is approved, which must be accounted for in delivery timelines. Turnaround times for accessibility products will be clearly detailed in the project plan.
Delivery of drafts and final products
Unless otherwise agreed, video drafts and finals will be provided via private Vimeo links, and deliverables can be directly downloaded or embedded. Subtitles will be available for preview at the related Vimeo link, and subtitle files (.srt format) will be provided via email. For videos to be embedded, duration of video hosting will be clearly detailed in the project plan.
Inclusions
The Social Deck will provide all necessary production and post-production equipment, such as camera, lighting, sound, and editing software.
The following products and services are not included in our standard scope, but are available for additional cost:
- Storage of final video deliverables after 6 months from project conclusion (we will advise and remind you to download your own copies at delivery). After this period, files may be deleted without further notice
- Accessibility products other than closed caption subtitles
- Supply of raw vision (raw material will be stored for 6 months and within that time may be purchased or further stored for an additional cost). After twelve months, raw material may be deleted without further notice
- Premiere Pro or After Effects project files and related assets
Ownership and copyright
Raw material and working project files remain the property of The Social Deck. Upon payment, full ownership and copyright of completed videos, accessibility products, and any other related deliverables transfers to the client.
Unless otherwise requested or stated, music is sourced from the Australian production music library Melodie, which grants The Social Deck a commercial use license for each track. License copies are available upon request.
