The outsourcing industry is booming and is expected to grow even more in the coming years. Driven by improved but low-cost telecommunications capacity and the rise of technology, the outsourcing industry is expected to generate a whopping $ 2.5 billion over the next ten years. Although outsourcing is common for customer services, telemarketing, and more, video post-production outsourcing is in its infancy. The great popularity of the Internet and the need for a higher degree of technical expertise in visual effects are the subplots of a script that explains the need to outsource the digital video post-production workflow.
Outsourcing is risky and the best advice for outsourcing is to outsource simple but labor intensive tasks. For the digital video post-production workflow, rotoscopy and color keying are the “IT tasks” to outsource.
Why are rotoscopy and color keying the “it” tasks?
The continual advancement of technology is driven by the much higher standards of what constitutes good cinematography and the ingredients of solid craftsmanship. Rotoscopy and color keying are said to be the dirty work of the otherwise glamorous film industry. Having Harry on a high-speed broom chase during a game of Quidditch wouldn’t be a thrill once the platforms and cables are still connected in the final edit. Video editors would have to erase those wires, remove the green screen, and then set up a wizarding game scene with flying creatures for the film to reach the pantheon of screen achievements, which they did.
Although rotoscopy and color keying are important, doing so also sacrifices the attention needed for creativity. They can be boring and both require an intensive process; However, every visual effects designer only has to go through them to conquer the magic of the screen.
The benefits of outsourcing rotoscopy and color keying
Outsourcing rotoscopy and color keying gives digital video editors and visual effects designers the necessary escape from these mediocre tasks. Now they can have the time they need to get creative and focus more on the exhilarating aspect of the visuals.
The benefits are more similar to the same benefits when a company decides to outsource and these are:
(a) focus on core processes
(b) reduction of the cost of labor and
(c) improved process procedures, however, the risk in the investment made is minimal, as the “tasks” are simple (they only become process intensive once there are frame loads for rotoscope and chroma key) and the desired result has its general value norms.
Tips for Choosing a Visual Effects Workforce Partner
There are several companies that outsource rotoscopy and color inlay, however finding the “right” service provider is the critical point. A wrong outsourcing company would mean a compensation for the attractive benefits of outsourcing. Here are some tips to keep in mind when choosing your service provider.
Commitment to quality
Price
References / Reputation
Flexibility of the contract terms
Scope of resources
Additional value added capacity
Cultural party
If you are a tired visual effects designer or digital video editor, outsourcing rotoscopy and chroma is an option. You just have to find your right service provider.
