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We understand that each client's project is unique. Before we can advise on how to best communicate your story we need to find out what needs to be said and to whom. With each potential project we meet with you, at no charge, and together we design solutions that meet your needs. We then create a written Project Prospectus including Creative Treatment, Budget, and Schedule. Your Project Prospectus defines not only what the project will look like, but also how we will create it; taking you through all the steps.

The classic model of any video production follows four distinct phases, Pre-Production, Production, Post-Production and Distribution. At West Coast Video Productions we have found this approach works well for all types of projects, including video, multi-media and special events. We manage each phase of the process to insure that your message is on target, on budget and on schedule!

We understand that an informed client will be a much happier client so we keep you informed each step of the way so in the end, the project we deliver is the one you expect. To this end, we have distributed facts, FAQs and helpful tips throughout this website which will help you better understand the production process. Have fun exploring our site and learning about how we create at West Coast Video Productions.

Pre-Production-
This phase includes all tasks which need to be completed before any Production begins. This includes scheduling, budgets, casting and scriptwriting. A big part of this phase is defining the project along with its goals and target audience. This is truly the most creative part of the process since at this point we can let our imagination run wild coming up with ideas on how to communicate your message. Then we look at time and budget and together we decide which creative ideas will really work best given all the parameters.

When the pre-production is complete you will know what kind of Creative Treatment will be utilized for your message, when the key review dates are and how much your final project will cost. Depending on the complexity of your program this phase can occur in one meeting or over several weeks. Typically this phase takes place in one to three weeks.

Production-
When the Pre-production is complete we begin the actual production of your project. This includes creating everything that will go into your show; video, music, graphics and animation. We work with the best talent to ensure that your program looks as good on the screen or stage as it does on paper. Production styles can include a single camera documentary style. film style dramatizatons, multi-camera studio or live productions or even taking your legacy source material and creating something new. Narration can be written and recorded or you can utilize testimonials from real people. During the treatment we decide the best course and then in production we figure out the best and most efficient way to capture the action. Again, depending on the complexity of your show this phase can take from half a day to several weeks. Typically we can complete this phase within one or two weeks.

Post-Production-
Once all the source has been created its time to put the show together, much like a magazine editor brings all the articles, ads, and pictures together into one whole publication. This editing process is called post-production where the raw source material is polished, transforming your project into something very special. It also can be a costly exercise if miscalculated. At West Coast Video Productions we complete the vast majority of our Post-Production at our in-house facility. This gives us great control of scheduling and budget control. We can also archive your project, saving you time and money on future uses of your source materials. Many clients are able to create entire programs using their previously recorded source materials and applying the magic of Post-Production.

Post-Production is usually billed at an hourly rate and includes at least two sub-phases, a)Source logging and Acquisition into the edit-system (this could also include a rough cut or "off-line" edit) and b) the final finishing edit or "On-Line" Master, where all the effects and final choices are made and saved to a master recording. The first phase depends on the length of your final program and the shooting ratio of source material to final program length. Figure a minimum of two to three times the running time of your source materials to accomplish this logging and acquisition task. The second phase will depend on how many special effects and what production levels you choose. At West Coast Video Productions we can include a "not to exceed" component to our Post-Production pricing.

Distribution-
This is the part where your final message is disseminated to the world. It can be on sent out or sold on tape or disc, broadcast live via satelite or streamed over the Web. By discussing this aspect of your project during the earliest phases, we design the final program and schedule so that everything happens when it is supposed to. We can handle everything from duplication to file preparation to delivery of Masters for whatever distribution channel you choose.