Hello!
My name is Atlee James and welcome to a company introduction where we make incredible content for the screen and become part of the team!
From live-action scripted content, animations, social media campaigns to documentaries, working with clients’ ideas and concepts along with a few of our own, is a passion. Here is an outline of the types of content produced and as well as a general breakdown of how it all works.
Welcome to Potential Pictures Inc.
Scripted Content
Hitron Technologies rolled out their new devices for Shaw internet customers. The series of four videos were used to highlight their new products to other internet providers worldwide.
Animation
Sinova Global mines high-quality quartz for several different industries. This explainer animation helps tell their story and how they are helping the environment with their practices.
Documentary
The UBC Rowing program is celebrating its centennial. This story is a look back at the last 100 years and where the program is heading in the next 100.
Scripted Content
The PGA of America developed a tool to help coaches assess their student’s fundamental movement skills. All app video content and promotional material was produced in partnership with the PGA.
Animation
NorthStar Clean Technologies is the future of asphalt shingle recycling. This animation helps tell their story to investors and government agencies.
Documentary
A feature documentary that takes a look at the obsession with winning and the effect it is having on youth sports development. Was featured as part of the Lithuanian Olympic Committees learning and is now part of several University curriculums in the US.
The Animation Process
1. Discovery
Throwing ideas against the wall and seeing what sticks. Likes, dislikes, concepts and all ideas are discussed and noted. Design, tone, look and feel, and mood. This is a free flow of the brain to generate new, unique concepts to further research and discover.
2. Script
This is the working blueprint. A script is developed to engage and capture a tone to make sure everything is on target to make a lasting impression on a viewer. Time spent here is essential to the overall success and development of a project.
Client review and finalize
3. Voice Over
The pace and tone of narration plays an essential role in how a project will flow. Once recorded, the V.O. (Voice Over) is used to pace out the corresponding scenes.
Client selects and finalize
4. Storyboard
A script is sketched into a sequence of still scenes to help visualize the narrative of a final animation. Here you start to see how a story will flow and transition. A very exciting stage.
Client review and finalize
5. Style Frames
Scenes and characters are created and illustrated from the storyboard to demonstrate mood, colors, character design, typography; to help showcase how a final animation would look. Assests are then developed.
Client review and finalize
6. Animatic
The voice over is combined with the still frames of a storyboard to provide a better sense of flow and pace of an animation.
7. Animation
The animation stage is when the battle of the key frames begins. Movement is added to the illustrations to give the project life. A considerable amount of time is spent in animation and will vary on the complexity of a piece.
Client review and finalize
8. Sound Design
Where it all comes together. “Swish,” BANG,“ “POP,” “Swoosh,” “Ta Da,” and everything in between is added along with music. Levels are mastered and rendered so everything is in sync and sounding sweet.
Client review and finalize
9. Distribution
Sized and optimized for TV broadcast, YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc. Know the target audience, partner with them and get some eyes on it.
10. Analytics
Analize the data and optimize the distribution channels. Repeat to maximize a R.O.I.
Week 1 - Week 2
Stages 1 and 2: discovery and scripting processes
Week 2 - Week 3
Stages 3 and 4: voice over recording while storyboard begins
Week 3 - Week 5
Stages 4, 5 and 6: finalize storyboard, develop style frames and animatic
Week 5 - Week 6
Stage 7: animation
Week 6 - Week 8
Stages 7, 8, and 9: animation, sound design, finalize and launch!
Scripted/Live Action Process
1. Discovery
Let’s first understand our target audience then start throwing ideas against the wall and seeing what sticks. Likes, dislikes, concepts, and all ideas are discussed and noted. Design, tone, look and feel, this is a free flow of the brain to generate new, unique concepts to further research and discover.
2. Script
This is the working blueprint. A script is developed to engage and capture a tone to make sure everything is on target to make a lasting impression on a viewer. Time spent here is essential to the overall success and development of a project.
3. Pre Production
With a finalized script, the planning of the project begins.
- Schedules / Locations
- Budget / Insurance
- Shot Lists
- Storyboards
- Interview Outlines / Talent
- Equipment and Crew
- Permissions / Permits
4. Production
Lights, camera, action! Using the shot list as the guide to capture interviews, coverage shots, sound, and voice talent is the focus during production. Any VFX, green screen shots are planned out ahead of time to make sure everything is captured properly and ready for post. Clients are a key component to this process providing feedback when ever possible.
5. Post Production
Depending on the project scope, initial interviews are shared with the client for review and selection to use in the edit. For scripted content, best takes are used in the final edit.
- Project file organization
- Video Edits for client feedback / includes sound
- VFX / Motion Graphics
- Audio Mastering
- Rendering
6. Distribution
After finalized and approved, final edit(s) are sized and optimized for TV broadcast, YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc. Know the target audience, partner with them, and get some eyes on it.
7. Analysis
Analize the data and optimize the distribution channels. Repeat to maximize a R.O.I.
Videography Services
Not all projects require a start-to-finish approach, so we also plug into existing stages of a project and offer videography with a cinematic eye.
Editing/VFX Services
Ideal for Social Media campaigns. When stories need to be told or scheduled posts need to be created with existing video, video editing and motion graphics are also offered as a stand-alone service.
Week 1
Stages 1 and 2: discovery and scripting processes
Week 2
Stages 2 and 3: script and pre-production starts
Week 3
Stages 3, 4 and 5: pre-production, production and initial post-production starts
Week 4
Stages 5 and 6: post production continues until finalized and ready for distribution
Project Tracking Process
Efficiency and ease of use is key, so there are two online tools to track the project’s progress and collect the necessary client feedback.
- To collaborate and track projects, Milanote is utilized. www.milanote.com
Milanote is an easy-to-use tool to organize ideas into visual boards and track projects in real-time. Please note, clients are not required to sign up to access this service.
Client Review Process
- To gather feedback, Vimeo review and Zoom meetings are utilized.
A link is provided to the video file(s) so that you can review it on your desktop. Simply click on the video where the feedback is needed, and make your notes. The following is the process in more detail:
Interviews clips are provided to the client, via VIMEO link, to determine best takes for messaging and delivery.
- On average, this is a 3-4 business day process to get the required feedback to proceed to the next stage
Interviews and/or best takes are assembled. The purpose of this screening is to lockdown the visual imagery. Some questions here are:
- Is the narrative and visuals lining up?
- Do we need to consider additional content?
- Is the spelling correct?
- Design feedback and length also discussed.
This version is often shared with the project lead and one or two other people.
- On average, this is a 5-6 business day process once the interview selects are received.
The edit is assembled after the first round of feedback, but now with audio and color grading added. Flow and audience engagement is looked at further.
- This version is shared with the initial group to provide feedback.
- On average, this is a 4-5 business day process once the feedback is received.
From round three feedback, a new edit is assembled and ready to be screened by the Board or final decision makers.
Often creative direction and decisions can be subjective, so feedback at this stage is discussed on what areas are absolutely necessary and what compromises can be made.
- On average, this is a 2-3 business day process once the feedback is received.
From the Boards feedback we then assemble the edit to be finalized, if no major changes are required.
- On average, this is a 2-3 business day process once the feedback is received.
- Major feedback is defined as changes to the original script where we will need to produce additional content.
- Minor feedback is defined as changes to the edit where there are no changes to the original script.
An initial list of soundtracks is provided, from a subscription service, to make your selections. Once an idea is found, a deeper dive can be had to find the perfect tone.