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| Client Information and Our Requirements: |
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| BEFORE your show or spot leaves the post production facility...
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| 1. Your personal review of any creative you release from the post production house is very important.
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When time is of the essence there should be no confusion about which master tape your duplication facility will be working with, and whether it meets with your approval. |
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| 2. Notification of a new show or spot:
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IMS will need prior notification as well as the media agency buying your time, of the expected arrival of a new show or spot masters. This is helpful in the planning or scheduling of work to be completed all around. It also creates the catalyst for good communication.
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| 3. Show or Spot Version Changes:
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This is a very crucial element. Your show or spot may have different price points, different offers, different disclaimers, different end panel information, or you may simply come out with a new version that you feel is more effective in generating sales. For these reasons it is imperative that we develop a good communication level between Client, Media Agency, and IMS. Notification in writing to IMS of show or spot version changes is required.
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| 4. Having a time-code window burn on VHS of your show or spot will make it easier to communicate changes if needed.
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Customarily a time-code window burn view tape is provided by the post production facility. An Edit Decision List (EDL) established by the time-code intervals is a map for when and where your 800# and/or web address will appear.
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| 5. Having a superless / split audio master is cheap insurance when it comes to making changes or creating new versions of your show or spot.
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Furthermore, you are already one step in the right direction to providing an international distributor with a master they can work with if the opportunity arises.
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| 6. The time you determine if your show or spot has color differentiation or audio spikes is not when it is already at the station.
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It is crucial that these items be dealt with during the post production process. It is wise to work with an experienced Direct Response Production Company. Your finished product will show the difference!
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| 7. Open and closing paid programming disclaimers are customarily in Audio Voice-over and Video text as follows:
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The following is a paid presentation (for or by). The preceding was a paid presentation (for or by).
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| 8. Embedded paid programming text disclaimers should be seen at least twice during a program length advertisement.
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This is a paid presentation (for or by). In text the 1st is seen just before the 1st CTA.
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| 9. Clearly detailed slates and labeled master tapes make it easy to determine versions and manage a campaign.
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A label on the tape box AND slate on the show should match exactly, and should consist of the following:
- Show or spot title with price point or offer
- Client Name
- Code or version number.
- Length
- Date
- Audio status (mixed or split)
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| 10. When building your end tag consider the following:
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- Did you leave the lower third available for the 800# placement (very important!)
- What is the price point and shipping and handling?
- What credit cards do you honor?
- Do you offer Check by Phone or any other special pay service?
- Do you offer a special delivery option? (Rush Delivery Available)
- What is your mailing address? Often, this is the fulfillment center's address.
- What are the sales tax applicable States?
- What type of money back guarantee do you offer?
- Do you mention? Allow____ to ____ weeks for delivery?
- Do you not honor COD's? (no COD's)
- Are there any special disclaimers required? Such as:
- Must be 18 or older to call.
- Consult a Physician before starting any diet or exercise program.
- Individual results will vary.
- Does the end tag require a Voice-over? If so, the script must be timed and approved.
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| 11. Make sure your show or spot is the correct length. 28:30, :120, :90, :60, :30 are the most common.
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The time to figure out your show is 28:26 or 28:32 is not when the duplication facility is setting it up for customization.
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| 12. An Edit Decision List (EDL) established by time-code intervals is a map for when and where the 800# or web address will appear.
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An EDL is critical when the master tape shows up at the duplication facility with little time available to get a last minute test out. A production company inexperienced with Direct Response will litter the bottom third of your show or spot with text leaving nowhere to place the 800# or web address. A more experienced production company will know that in order to sell your product, people need to SEE the phone number or URL and will provide you with an EDL for phone number and URL placement. A good rule of thumb is, once the first CTA (Call to Action) comes up, leave the lower third empty of graphics, except for where disclaimers are required.
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We hope this checklist has been a useful tool for you.
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