5 Things to Think About When Navigating the Jungle of Cross-Platform Deliverables

Producing for a single delivery format is rarely an option anymore. These days we consume films on many different platforms and devices of all different sizes, therefore we need to produce more deliverables in more formats, often with different languages versions too. But never fear, Evoke Films are on hand to lead you through the jungle of cross-platform deliverables.

1. Plan & Forecast  

Understand where your film is going to be shown and start forecasting those deliverables in your budget. You don’t want to be caught out further down the line with spiraling versioning costs.

2. Shoot Accordingly – Beware of the edges : 

Make sure your creative team is aware of the deliverables and plan the shoot accordingly, as it will affect your shooting schedule and budget! Sometimes you will be able to adapt or localise in post, but there will be instances where you will have to shoot alternative options to cover the different aspect ratios.

3. Subtitles Vs Sound : 

Mobile audience rarely watch with the sound on. Allow some budget for transcription and subtitles so they can still follow the story.

4. Learn the Lingo 

Dirty Footage

Footage that has graphics on, like the Channel logo of the broadcast feed or a name tag on an interviewee. The graphic-free footage is called Clean Footage and is not to be mistaken with Raw Footage (straight out of the camera, no grade).

Safe Area

Section of the screen that is guaranteed to be visible on the final platform (i.e. not cropped out by the screen parameters of the device)

Burnt-in

This expression indicates the placement and export of something on top of the image. Generally used with “subtitles” or “timecodes”. E.g: “Please send through the version with timecode burnt in”meaning an export with timecode laid on top of the footage.

Plate Shot

A shot with no objects in the foreground. Handy when you are localising and you need to use VFX to replace some graphics or an entire object.

5. Track the Deliverables

Now that you have committed to a handful of screen formats, use a clear naming convention to ensure you can keep track of them all. This might seem obvious, but organisation is everything when it comes to versioning and having a clear deliverable list to work to is a good way of ensuring you have everything you need.

- Giulia Francalanci, production coordinator, Evoke Films