How A TV Commercial Is Made

 Client meets with the advertising agency and outlines their marketing problems and the product they are marketing  Client is assigned an agency executive where the parameters of the project are outlined, most importantly budget and airdate

 The executive, along with their creative team discuss presentation ideas and prepare a storyboard and a rough budget for a commercial or campaign

 The agency contacts a number of production companies to submit ideas for finished commercials  The agency then narrows it to three production companies

 The three chosen production companies present their costs to complete the project… Make a Bid  Usually the lowest bid wins

 One bid is chosen.  After all costs have been calculated the proposal is presented for approval.  No money can be spent until the client has approved the final estimate and storyboard.

 Exactly the same as the movies  People are chosen for the various roles of the commercial.

 All the ‘Teams’ meet one final time to make any last minute changes  Changes can only be minor at this time.

 Filming of the commercial is completed.  All/ most raw video footage is collected at this point.  Many factors such as weather and time play huge roles in the success of this stage.

 This stage is intertwined with the shoot.  At the end of each filming session ‘dailies’ or ‘rushes’ are completed to ensure all necessary footage is gathered.

 Once al raw footage is collected it is assembled into the desired sequence… same as the movies.  Some minor modifications can also be made in this stage.

 All effects are added, such as transition and special effects.

 The music and audio are added to the finished film

 The finished product is presented to the client for final approval  This stage is know as the ‘hold your breath stage’.  Although the commercial has been finished the client can still reject it.

 Once the commercial has been approved it is dubbed (copied) and the production agency distributes it to various TV networks and channels.  Schedules are also arranged during this time.