Offline tips for smooth online

Make sure that each source tape is given a unique and easily identifiable name on both the tape case and the tape itself. Use this same unique name when entering the tape or reel name in your NLE.

Before starting the offline, before filming even, ensure you are familiar with the route your project will take. Make sure the tape formats and codecs, tape decks, choice of NLE and delivery formats are all compatible.

HDV is notoriously difficult and time consuming to conform, especially if going via an HDV to HD-SDI Miranda converter. If your budget allows it, film on HDV and transfer these tapes immediately to DVCPro-HD or HDCAM formats, and use these as your new source tapes.

Make sure your NLE project is set to the right aspect ratio, as dictated by your source footage and delivery requirements. Avid for example will create your titles differently depending on the aspect ratio of your project.

Any titles or supers appearing on material produced for broadcast will have to be within Title Safe areas. The required safe areas vary from broadcaster to broadcaster, the most notable ones being 14x9 safe and 4x3 safe for 16x9 broadcast.

Unless you are not going to reconform your material, when capturing your footage during offline, wait at least three seconds after a time code break before starting to capture. The reason for this is that during the reconform process the deck will have to perform a preroll, and if the preroll goes over a time code break, this will cause the process to fail.

Ensure you have double-checked and finalised the spelling of names and correct job descriptions of people appearing in your film, before the online. Having to phone up during online can be disruptive and time-consuming.

Endless hours have been wasted in sound dubs rewriting scripts. It is vital to have a time-coded and signed off script before entering the dub, timed together with the pictures by reading it out loud at the correct tempo, to make sure it fits comfortably within the required space. With professional voice-over artists charging hundreds of pounds per hour, rewriting during the VO session makes no sense.