What is Time Lapse Video Production?

Time lapse video production shows a scene or subject over a period of time and condenses the footage into a few seconds. BUT it’s not just video that is sped up – that would be too easy. Time lapse video production requires additional planning and coordination of appropriate gear, filming, and post-production editing.

Remember those old Christmas claymation videos – that’s similar. Claymation is taking a picture, moving the object ever so slightly, taking another picture, moving the object, taking a picture, moving, picture, move, pic, etc. until months have passed and you can stitch all those pictures together in post-production. Bring on the 21st century. Now we have the equipment to make this easier… on the production team that is. 

WHERE IS TIME LAPSE USEFUL?

Time-lapse videos can be used in any industry – as change over time is an absolute law of nature. Any scene over a lengthy enough amount of time changes and consumers can see the evolution over time through time lapse. Nature documentaries use time lapse to show growth and decay, restaurants can show flow of customers on a busy Saturday, airports can show flight traffic, Google Maps shows environmental changes, etc. 

TIME LAPSE VIDEO PLANNING 

Filming projects like this over a significant period of time requires additional planning and pre-production. Unlike a typical video production with point and shoot capture, time lapse video production requires a different method of footage capture. Knowing how long you plan to film for (hours, days, months, or years), at what intervals (every few seconds, minutes, day, etc.), what angles, etc. 

Setting up a stationary camera is easy enough but extra considerations have to be made if it will be outdoors, what weather conditions you’re facing, any visual obstructions over time, data storage, as in the case of years, taking a picture every few minutes can lead to a lot of footage. 

Once the footage is captured, the best stuff happens in the editing bay. The footage is stitched together, cleaned, polished, set to music, made more dynamic with animation / voiceover, etc. The final product can be as complex as necessary for the client. 

INCORPORATING TIME LAPSE INTO YOUR VIDEO MARKETING 

Time lapse is not a simple process but the benefits are immeasurable. Time lapse can instantly draw in your audience however the details during production can make or break the final product. Choose a video production who has experience with this technology so that your investment provides you with a high-quality product for your target audience.