Got a big shoot coming up and want to get the most out of your footage? You’re not alone! Video shoots often involve capturing hours of footage, but did you know that roughly 90% of it never gets used?
Not because it’s unusable, but because editors typically choose what best fits the final cut, leaving a ton of potentially valuable content untouched. If you’ve ever asked for RAW footage, you might have faced resistance from videographers or found the footage hard to work with.
So, what’s the solution? One simple request: a melt reel.
What is a Melt Reel and Why Should You Ask for One?
A melt reel is a lightly graded, continuous clip that contains all the useable B-roll footage from your shoot. Instead of receiving disorganised RAW footage or missing out on great clips altogether, you get an easily scrollable file with all the extra shots. This allows you to revisit footage later and use it for:
- Product updates
- Social media content
- Sales presentations
- Recruitment videos
- Future marketing campaigns
At Tempus, after delivering the final polished video, we provide clients with a melt reel as an add-on service. This simple extra step ensures that you maximise the value of your investment in video production.
How Much Does a Melt Reel Cost?
Pricing varies between businesses, but at Tempus, our melt reels typically range from $500 to $2,000 + GST, depending on the length of the shoot. Since melt reels aren’t a standard offering, it’s essential to discuss this option during the quoting process of the videography services. Some videographers may not provide this service, so make sure to confirm before the shoot begins.
How to Use Your Melt Reel for Maximum Impact
Most marketing professionals have dabbled in Canva, and this is a great place to upload your melt reel and create quick, engaging content. You can easily extract clips for social media, advertisements, or website updates. For those invested in the Adobe ecosystem, Premiere Pro’s Scene Edit Detection can automatically detect scene changes and cut the footage into separate clips, making it even easier to work with.
Key Benefits of Melt Reels:
- Efficiency: Quickly access and repurpose content without digging through RAW footage.
- Cost-Effective: Saves money by eliminating the need for additional shoots.
- Versatility: Useful for multiple types of content creation.
Improve Your Video Workflow
To streamline your content creation process, it’s essential to have an efficient workflow in place with content repurposing. Start by planning and communicating with your videographer before the shoot to ensure they provide a melt reel. Once you receive it, organise your footage by uploading it to platforms like Canva or Adobe Premiere, making it easily accessible for future use.
To enhance efficiency, take advantage of automation tools such as Scene Edit Detection in Premiere Pro, which can automatically detect scene changes and cut the footage into separate clips. By following these steps, you’ll save time and maximise the value of your video content.
Maximise Your Investment with a Melt Reel
A well-planned video shoot is an investment, and a melt reel ensures you get the most out of it. Instead of letting valuable footage go to waste, you’ll have a ready-to-use library of high-quality content for future marketing, social media, and beyond. By making this simple request upfront, you’ll save time, money, and effort while keeping your brand’s content fresh and engaging.
At Tempus Media, we create professional, high-quality corporate videography services that capture the essence of your brand and target your perfect audience.
By requesting a melt reel, you’ll get more value out of your video shoot and have a treasure trove of content for future use. Happy creating!
