Video production can be divided into several mandatory steps:
• Pre-production
• Shooting
• Post Production
In order to understand what a reference is, we will analyze the stage of preproduction in more detail. In fact, a lot of time is sometimes spent at this stage, since people who produce films and videos have long known that the time spent at this stage will definetely pay off during post-production or filming.
There are exceptions with video and filmmaking, but as a rule all projects need a script, one or more locations where the action will take place, actors, clothing and props specially selected for them.
Below we will consider how references help create bombed videos on pre-production sub-steps.
• Search for ideas and script. At this stage, we usually build on the idea, and go for inspiration on Vimeo / YouTube, while recalling the best works from memory. On ref.video you can search in the same way by video, and soon there will be a search by participants and winners in international competitions and other options.
• Search for a location. On small projects with a simple concept, we often focus on those locations that we already know, and most likely the shootings will be in a city where we live. In other cases, we need to look for a specific suitable place, and even before that - an example of such a location. Here ref.video will also help to save time. The search results will be something that other production has already worked with and somehow beat it. You can search for any object in the frame that you can imagine.
• Search for actors. It's not about specific people, but about character and role. Our search algorithm allows you to search for the emotions and characteristics of people. Hairstyle, tears, smile, scream, lips, age (in the near future) - all this can be found and immediately turned into a video from the second needed to understand the context of what is happening.
• Search for a costume. On the one hand, if the flight of imagination is wide or the requirements of the project are extraordinary, the search for references will not always be an exhaustive process, although you can use the ref.video element-wise to compose a collective character image, for example, a dark dress. Here you can simply turn to search engines.
• Search for props and decorations. Here the search principle is exactly the same. The more accurately you represent the frame, the easier it is to estimate the objects in it, the easier it is to find the examples that you need on a specific request. Using our service, you will immediately see, for example, options for existing lighting schemes in different types of kitchens or how to film a couple of lovers at sunset. Just drive the right keywords!
• Prepare storyboards. After the minimum set of references is collected, we coordinate it with the team or customer. On ref.video, you can download a selection in PDF format with one click so that you can immediately send the right people and look at the result of your work without unnecessary actions.
All of the above mentioned things take time, and the search process is quite routine, because you have to wade through heaps of irrelevant videos in looking for that particular frame. This process cannot be completely avoided, so different companies are trying to reduce the time spent to the possible extent and make it in a way that it is convenient for specialists.
That’s exactly the purpose of our service. You can really save a couple of hours at the pre-production stage for each project.
Every day we come up with new ideas how to improve our service and make it more convenient for you. We constantly respond to all requests - from criticism to suggestions. So feel free to check out ref.video!
Entire functionality is free for everyone. So if it's gonna be useful for you in any way - we'll be happy!
Thank’s for your attention!
Ref.video team
