Submitted article from Zenia Mai Enriquez:
Can you outsource video post-production work? Can outsourcing efficiently provide the cost advantage benefit without sacrificing quality?
The outsourcing industry is booming and it is expected to grow even
further in the coming years. Driven by improved yet low-cost
telecommunication capacity and the upswing of technology, the
outsourcing industry is expected to generate a whopping $ 2.5 billion
in the next ten years. Though outsourcing is common for customer
services, telemarketing, and such, post production outsourcing is now
at its infancy. The widespread popularity of the internet and the need
for a higher degree of visual effects technical expertise are the
sub-plots of a script that spells the need for outsourcing digital
video post production workflow.
Outsourcing is a risk and the
best heeded advice for outsourcing is to outsource labor intensive yet
simple tasks. For the digital video post production workflow,
rotoscoping and
chroma keying are the “it tasks” to outsource.
Why is rotoscoping and chroma keying the “it” tasks
The
continuous advancement of technology has contributed to the much higher
standards of what constitutes good cinematography and the makings of a
solid craftsmanship.
rotoscoping and
chroma keying are
said to be the dirty work of the otherwise glamorous film industry.
Having Harry in high-speed broomstick chase during a quidditch game
wouldn’t be an exhilaration once rigs and wires are still attached in
the final edit. Video editors would have to erase those wires, key out
the greenscreen and then set-up a heated wizard game scene with flying
creatures for the film to reach the pantheon of screen achievement,
which they did.
Though
rotoscoping and
chroma keying
are important, doing so also sacrifices the needed attention for
creativity. They can be dull and both are process intensive;
nonetheless every visual effects designer just has to undergo through
them ensuing to conquer screen magic.
The benefits of outsourcing rotoscoping and chroma keying
Outsourcing
rotoscoping and
chroma keying
gives digital video editors and visual effects designers their needed
escape from these lackluster chores. They can now have their needed
time with creativity and give more focus on the stimulating aspect of
visual effects.
The benefits are more-a-like the same benefits when a company
decides to outsource and that is: (a) focus on core-processes (b)
reduced labor cost and (c) improved process procedures however the risk
in the investment made is minimal since the “it tasks” are simple (they
only get to process intensive once there are loads of frame to
rotoscope and chroma key) and the desired output has its general
standards.
Tips in choosing a visual effects workforce partner
There are several firms that outsources
rotoscoping and
chroma keying
however finding the “right” service provider is the critical point. A
wrong outsourcing company would mean an offset to the enticing
outsourcing benefits. Here are few tips to keep in mind when choosing
your service provider.
- Commitment to quality
- Price
- References / Reputation
- Flexibility of contract terms
- Scope of resources
- Additional value added capability
- Cultural match
If you are a tired visual effects designer or digital video editor, outsourcing
rotoscoping and
chroma keying is an option. You just have to find your right service provider.