Whether you’re a brand, business owner, marketing specialist, or corporate professional, understanding what video deliverables to request from your production company can save you time, money, and effort in the long run.
To make things easier, here’s a quick overview of key video deliverables you should consider:
- Processed Raw Footage
- Original Raw Footage
- Final Edited Video (in multiple formats):
- With captions burnt in (embedded)
- Without captions embedded
- Captions file (e.g., .srt)
- Without graphics or text
- In the highest available resolution
- Without graphics and music
In the following sections, we’ll dive into each deliverable, its purpose, and why it might be beneficial for your project.
RAW FOOTAGE
Processed Raw Footage
What is it? Processed raw footage is the raw content from your video shoot, but with some enhancements to make it more user-friendly. It’s still considered “raw” because it’s unedited, but it’s been lightly polished to make it easier to work with.
Key Features:
- Pre-colour corrected (no flat colours like camera originals).
- Optimised file sizes for smoother playback and editing on non-professional software (e.g., Canva).
- Organised folders with descriptive file names or notes to help you locate clips easily.
Who needs it? This is ideal for clients who want to make basic edits themselves without hiring a professional editor. It provides a balance between usability and quality, ensuring you have visually appealing footage that doesn’t overwhelm your system.
Pro Tip: Processed raw footage is particularly useful for social media managers and small businesses with limited video editing expertise. At our Sydney-based videography services, this type of footage is included in all packages.
Learn more about Raw Footage in this blog post that dives deeper into this important aspect of video production.
Original Raw Footage
What is it? Original raw footage is the untouched, unaltered video directly from the camera. These files are high-quality but require professional software and skills to edit effectively.
Key Features:
- Completely unprocessed.
- Larger file sizes (may require a USB drive, SSD, or hard drive for delivery).
- Straight out of the camera, offering maximum flexibility for professional editors.
Who needs it? If you have access to professional video editors or plan to work with advanced editing software, original raw footage is the best option. It allows for maximum creative freedom and retains the highest possible quality.
Pro Tip: This deliverable is recommended for projects with long-term goals, such as commercials, documentaries, or campaigns requiring extensive post-production work. We include original raw footage with all our video shoots in Sydney.
FINAL EDITED VIDEO
When your production company handles editing, you’ll receive a polished, ready-to-use video. However, there are several variations of the final product you should request to future-proof your investment:
1. Version with Captions Burnt In (Embedded)
What is it? A version of your video with subtitles permanently displayed on the screen.
Why it’s useful:
- Ensures accessibility for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Ideal for platforms like Instagram where videos often autoplay without sound.
2. Version Without Captions Embedded
What is it? A clean version of your video without permanent subtitles.
Why it’s useful:
- Gives you flexibility to add or change captions in the future.
- Essential for platforms where captions are uploaded separately (e.g., YouTube).
3. Captions File (.srt Format)
What is it? A separate text file containing your video’s captions.
Why it’s useful:
- Enables SEO benefits on platforms like YouTube.
- Allows viewers to toggle captions on or off.
- Simplifies translation for multilingual audiences.
4. Edited Video Without Graphics or Text
What is it? A version of the final video with no overlays, logos, or text.
Why it’s useful:
- Future-proofing: Ensures the video remains relevant if your branding changes.
- Flexibility for re-edits or repurposing the content.
5. Edited Video in Highest Resolution
What is it? The highest-quality export available based on the original footage (e.g., 4K if the project was shot in 4K).
Why it’s useful:
- Preserves quality for future edits or new platforms.
- Prevents the need for upscaling, which can degrade video quality.
6. Edited Video Without Graphics and Music
What is it? A clean version of the video with spoken audio intact but no background music or visual overlays.
Why it’s useful:
- Essential for creating audio bites for future projects.
- Simplifies re-editing without needing access to raw footage.
Video Aspect Ratios and Resolution
Choosing the right aspect ratio and resolution is critical for ensuring your video content looks its best on the intended platform. Here’s a guide to the most common formats.
1920×1080 – 16:9 (Full HD)
This is the standard landscape format, perfect for YouTube and most other platforms. It offers high definition for a crisp, professional look.
3840×2160 – 16:9 (4K)
Ideal for YouTube and other high-definition content, this 4K resolution provides an even sharper image, making it suitable for larger screens. However, it results in larger file sizes, so it’s best for those who need the highest possible quality.
1080×1080 – 1:1 (Square)
A versatile format often used for Facebook marketing and ad campaigns. The square aspect ratio is perfect for ensuring your content displays well on a variety of social media feeds.
1080×1920 – 9:16 (Vertical)
This format is best suited for Instagram Reels, TikTok, and other vertical video platforms. It’s designed for mobile viewing, giving your video the best visual impact when viewed on smartphones.
2048×1106 – 1.85:1 (Cinematic)
A wide cinematic format that’s ideal for feature films, trailers, or high-end corporate content. It provides a more dramatic, movie-style feel.
3840×1600 – 2.40:1 (Cinematic)
This ultra-wide cinematic ratio is perfect for creating a truly immersive visual experience. It’s commonly used for feature films and dramatic presentations, adding a cinematic look to your content.
Conclusion
Understanding your video deliverable options empowers you to make the most of your investment. Whether you need raw footage for DIY editing or a suite of final video versions for long-term flexibility, being informed ensures you’ll receive deliverables tailored to your needs.
By requesting the right deliverables upfront, you’ll save time and money while future-proofing your video content for re-edits, rebranding, and new platforms.
If you’re ready to take your video production to the next level, our videography services in Sydney are designed to provide all these deliverables and more. Let’s create something incredible together!
