Many company videos stall at the same point: the footage exists and nobody edits it. The event was filmed and the drive went into a drawer. A day of product filming was done and nobody in-house has time for post. The crew was hired to shoot, not to cut. Filming and post-production have always been separable. Chipscat does only the second: you hand over the footage, and we complete editing, grading, subtitles, motion graphics, sound mix and export.
What post-only work includes
- Sorting and selecting: viewing everything and picking the usable shots.
- Editing: structure and pace from the script or concept.
- Grading: correcting exposure and white balance, matching cameras, setting the look; see colour grading explained.
- Sound: cleaning dialogue, music, effects and level balance.
- Subtitles and graphics: subtitles, titles, name straps, charts and logo animation.
- Versions: different lengths, ratios and languages.
Not shot yet? Agree these with post first
What post-production can achieve is limited by the footage. If the shoot is still being planned, pass these to the crew:
- Resolution and frame rate: the same on every camera. Shots meant for slow motion filmed at a higher rate; see what fps means.
- Colour profile: Log or standard, consistently, and tell post which.
- Sound: lapel or directional microphones for interviews, with camera audio kept for syncing.
- Framing: room to crop key shots if vertical versions are needed; see ad videos in multiple aspect ratios.
- Plenty of cutaways and close-ups: what edits run short of most; see what B-roll is.
- Multiple cameras: positions and sync method; see multi-camera editing.
For events, see event filming tips for editing.
What to hand over
- All original files, not converted or compressed. Folders by date, session or camera, file names unchanged.
- Separately recorded audio, and any music or sound-desk feed from the venue.
- Script, storyboard or concept. Failing that, an outline: what the opening, middle and end should say.
- Shoot notes: which takes were good and where there were problems. Without them, selection takes longer.
- Brand assets: logo, typefaces, colour guidelines, openings and closings from existing videos.
- Reference videos and the style you want; see describing the editing style you want.
- The version list and dates.
For large transfers, see how to send large video files; for organising, see the footage preparation checklist.
How much can post rescue?
- Can be improved: mild exposure and colour errors, slight shake, background noise, uneven levels.
- Improved within limits: heavy noise, very echoey dialogue, slightly soft focus.
- Can't be rescued: out of focus entirely, blown out to white, sound that wasn't recorded, shots that weren't taken.
Missing shots can be covered with existing photos, motion graphics or scenario shots from AI video production, kept clearly distinct from what was filmed. Repair of damaged sound or files is a separate service assessed through our repair page. What is achievable can only be judged from the footage.
FAQ
Another team shot the footage. Can Chipscat edit it?
Yes. Make sure your company holds the right to use it, and obtain the originals, not a finished export.
Can you see the footage before quoting?
Yes, and we recommend it. We reply within 48 hours to tell you whether we can take it on; if we can, we write up a quote so you can decide whether to go ahead.
There are hundreds of gigabytes. Do you need all of it?
Ideally yes, so the editor can choose. If you already know some sessions won't be used, leave them out to save transfer and sorting time.
