2D/3D AnimationToast’s skilled animators produce visual sequences which either cannot be accomplished by more traditional means or where the budget might otherwise make certain sequences practically impossible. From simple 2D animation such as pie or bar charts to complex 3D modeling such as cityscapes or machinery, our animation team makes everything possible.
360 DeliverablesThis is a term which encompasses all the various emerging media platforms that to date include the web and mobile telephony and look set to expand to other media including digital poster sites. This term aims to get across the idea that a project need not necessarily end its life after its original use. For instance, if Toast films an event, an edited record of it can then be formatted to be streamed online or produced as a vodcast to be downloaded by interested parties from the internet. In short, all media platforms should be considered when first approaching a film project. The opportunities to view just keep on getting larger.
AAR filmAAR stands for Advertising Agency Register. These are films that provide a shop window for advertising agencies to prospective clients. Their intention is to give an overview of the senior management team, the agency’s work, their clients and overall capture its work ethic, its environment and in short its “spirit”. A client goes to the AAR (or another “match-making” agency) and gives them a brief as to what kind of agency he is looking for (creative hotshop/global presence etc). The AAR then shortlists a number of agencies for them to consider. The client makes a decision through viewing the AAR films on which firms he will go out and meet.
Accommodation & Travel BookingsAt Toast we can arrange accommodation and travel booking for the entire cast and crew. Transport from airports to the accommodation can be organised on your behalf, as well as transport to and from locations when filming begins. We at Toast know how important it is to make sure all involved are where they should be, when they should be.
AGM & Conference FilmingProviding coverage of annual general meetings & conferences is fast becoming the norm. Whether it's a single camera or a multi camera shoot, the edited footage of the event can then be combined with computer generated images, PowerPoint presentations, voice-overs, etc. before being packaged and distributed in DVD video format or streamed online.
ARCAspect Ratio Conversion is used where the picture ratio needs to be changed from 4:3 to full height anamorphic 16:9. Most foreign commercials are shot 4:3 and need to be converted to 16:9 for transmission in the UK.
Award Winning DirectorsToast works with a wide variety of directors drawn from very different backgrounds including news & current affairs, corporate, factual documentary, drama & commercial. Here are a few that we have worked with recently. Gary Birch: IVCA London 2001 Best Director Crafts Awards, IVCA London 2004 Gold Award for PR, NY Film Festival 2002 Gold Award for Rio Tinto. Kevin McKiernan: Best Director, Images. Best Director AMI. Best Director US Film & Video Festival). Bob Hough: BAFTA Craft Award, BDA Awards – Promos & Print Packaging, NTS – Titles & Programme Graphics.
BACC(Broadcast Advertising Clearance Centre) has two principal functions: the approval of pre-production scripts and the pre-transmission clearance of finished television advertisements. Toast will oversee all dealings with the BACC.
Call SheetsThis is the document that is drawn up immediately prior to a shoot in which all the logistical details of a shoot are written down together with call times, location addresses, all phone numbers of crew, production, artistes. This document is circulated to all who will attend or have an interest in the shoot.
CastingThe process by which you choose who will appear in your commercial or corporate film. Initially, the client will agree a detailed written casting brief which is then fed through to a casting agent. A casting session is then set up where up to 20 actors come in and are filmed on video and are asked to perform a section of the script. It is unusual to cast a film in one session. At the very least, it is normal to recall up to 3 or 4 people in order to review them. This is especially the case when several actors are expected to work together. Toast’s casting department can find actors, voice over artists, extras (featured and background), dancers and other cast members such as stuntmen, stuntwomen and body doubles.
Channel BrandingBranding is so important these days because you are trying to identify one channel in 400. The rapid growth of digital channels has made standing out from the crowd even more important. When briefing, it is vital for the broadcaster to know clearly what the channel is. Then and only then the designers doing the branding can make sure that this clarity is reflected in the on and off air presentation.
Clock NumberThis is the unique identification number that is given to a commercial for transmission. It appears at the beginning of a commercial along with other vital pieces of information such as the agency name, the title of the commercial, its length and the post production company name & telephone number.
Colour GradingThe process of altering and enhancing the colour image, either electronically, photo-chemically or digitally.
Complete Production ManagementToast provides a complete production management coordinating everything for a shoot from scripting, casting, location scouting, call sheets, transport & logistics, accommodation & venue booking, catering, government and local council liaison, hair & make-up artists along with the rest of the creative team. It will also oversee the post-production phase. In short we will do everything from script to screen.
CGIComputer Generated Imagery is the application of 3D computer graphics to special effects in films, television programs, commercials and printed media. CGI is used for visual effects because the quality is often higher and effects are more controllable than other more physically based processes, such as constructing models for effects shots or hiring extras for crowd scenes, and because it allows the creation of images that would not be feasible using any other technology. It can also allow a single artist to produce content without the use of actors, expensive set pieces, or props. Software such as Maya and Softimage XSI are used to make computer-generated imagery.
Conference, Event, PR FilmingAs with AGM & conference filming, providing coverage of other events, lectures, seminars, training days, presentations and exhibitions is becoming increasingly popular as having a high quality, professional record of such events can be an invaluable resource.
Corporate Profile FilmsThis is a film that can summarise the ethos of a company, its strategic position in the marketplace, current activity and development and defining the company’s USP and strengths to both potential clients and internal audiences.
Depth of FieldThe distance in front of and behind the subject, which appears to be in focus
Digital MastergradeThis helps to provide a consistent ‘look” for a film by looking at the colours in the film digitally. The tones and colours can be manipulated to give a scene more contrast or should a scene need to look different for example in a flashback sequence, we can create a different look, with lots of diffusion.
DigitizingThe term is used for the process of scanning analog & digital sources into computers for editing.
DocumentaryA film or presentation with the sole purpose of presenting the facts, objectively, without inserting fictional matter.
Down-conversionThe conversion from a higher resolution input signal number to a lower one.
DubA master tape with a clocked commercial for transmission. If a small number of stations is included in a media schedule it is often cheaper to send out individual tape masters rather than do a “playout”. (see below)
EncodingTransforming a signal into a form optimized for transmission or storage.
Exhibition A/V DisplaysUsing film, video, Powerpoint or web-based platforms, audio-visual displays for exhibitions can give an insight into the concepts behind the works or artifacts being displayed. Interactive audio visual displays can be an invaluable educational resource.
Film, HD & Digi-Beta CrewsToast TV work with traditional celluloid film, digital video formats such as Digital Beta cam (also known as Digibeta, D-beta, DBC & digi) and High Definition Digital Betacam (HDCAM) which offers a recorded bit rate of 144 megabits per second and 4 channels of 20 bit digital audio.
Filming for Wireless TechnologyCreating films, commercials and presentations for the latest mobile IT equipment such as mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) requires not only creativity and knowledge, but above all, experience in working with such cutting edge media platforms. The team at Toast are no strangers to such technologies, ensuring your ideas will display quickly and clearly, regardless of the platform used.
High Definition (HDTV)The high-end of digital television. HDTV is widescreen, and features resolutions of either 720p or 12080i. According to many, the future is no longer in doubt. Productions of all genres from feature film to promos will be shot in high definition. The BBC has already set a date by which all its programming will be acquired in HD – 2012. Yet well before that date the majority of programmes from the world’s major broadcasters are likely to be produced in the format.
In-Flight ChannelsToast TV can offer a complete production management service for in-flight programming, commercials, idents & sponsorship interstitials from script to screen.
InterlacingScanning a picture by every second line, from the top left to bottom right. The process repeats, filling the gaps.
Internal CommunicationsAn increasingly important sector for companies with a large workforce. Moving image is a powerful tool to bring together ideas, strategies, initiatives and morale. For a company to function at its peak, it needs to have its employees on-side. Toast can bring together those elements in a cohesive, refreshing and motivational way.
Internet PresentationsIncluding ISDN video conferencing, PowerPoint broadcast technology, NetMeeting software & interactive video. Internet presentations enable companies to communicate, perform live demonstrations and collaborate on documents in real time via the Internet. Toast can bring these presentations to life with high-end graphics and live action interstitials
IVCAThe IVCA is the professional body for leaders in strategic business and the public sector communications who employ film, video, interactive media and live events as part of the communications process.
Location ScoutingOur team also offers film location services, location scouting, location management, as well as being able to arrange suitable accommodation, transport and catering for the cast and crew.
MnemonicA visual graphic with audio which serves to represent a company or product – currently the best example of a mnemonic might be “Intel inside”.
MPEGDefines a group of Audio and Video coding and compression standards agreed upon by MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group)
Network DispatchThis is another term for Playout and refers to the digital distribution of commercials.
New Product LaunchesThe marketing & promotion of new products or technologies. This can be done in a wide range of media from television and cinema advertising to web and mobile platforms
NTSCThe standard format for transmission in the States and other North & South American countries.
Offline EditingOffline editing is part the film & television post-production process. Raw footage is copied then edited, leaving the original film or video tape unaffected.
Online Editing The final stage of the video editing process. Using cutting edge online editing software, our team can edit footage, add graphics, subtitles and many other aspects of visual effects creation.
PALThe analogue broadcast system used for transmission in the UK and large parts of Asia and Australia.
Permits & Visa PreparationThe team at Toast TV have plenty of hands on experience in all aspects of location management. We can arrange the necessary visas, work permits and shooting permits. We liaise with local authorities, government bodies, local businesses and residents to ensure the location shoot runs like clockwork, on schedule and within the budget.
PlayoutThe process by which a clocked commercial is sent digitally to the television stations for transmission.
Post ProductionThe process of editing raw footage, editing the soundtrack, recording the soundtrack music or score, adding audio sound effects & visual special effects, digital compositing & optical effects and computer generated imagery (CGI).
PowerPointWe offer complete PowerPoint authoring and PowerPoint templates. Our team create dynamic presentations using the latest PowerPoint software from Microsoft. The versatility of powerpoint allows staff training modules, product launches, and interactive audio visual displays for exhibitions and conferences to be presented clearly, and above all, creatively.
RACCThe radio version of the BACC. All radio commercials need to be cleared by them both in script form and before final transmission.
Rotation ScheduleInstructions to a television station on when & how a commercials should run – which dates and spot times.
RushesThe term used to describe the raw, unedited footage shot during the making of a film. They are called this because usually at the end of each day, that day's footage is developed, synched to sound, and printed on film in a batch (and/or telecine-ed onto video or disk) for viewing the next day by the director and key members of the film crew. However, the term can be used to refer to any raw footage, regardless of when it is developed film or video footage. They became known as rushes because of the speed at which the prints were developed.
Sales AidsA visual demonstration of your product or service. Our team have the experience and know-how to present and promote your new or existing products or services in a new, exciting light.
Sponsored ProgrammingThis refers to programming that has been part or wholly payed for by a company. So far sponsored programming has been restricted on terrestrial television to sponsorship idents attached to particular programmes. However OFCOM appear to be reviewing the whole area of sponsorship in the light of a spiraling numbers of digital channels. Some commercial companies have set up their own digital channels e.g. The Audi Channel. Information TV also seems to be stretching the parameters of sponsored programming.
Staff Training & Motivational FilmsThese days, using the moving image for staff training and motivation is the norm. Whether it be outlining a company’s history, background and mission statement for new employees to short films aimed at cutting wastage, increasing productivity and increasing morale.
Standards ConversionThe process by which a film can be translated from one broadcast standard to another, for example NTSC to PAL.
Studio Mixing / LaybackToast provide complete audio mixing and layback. Audio is synched to the picture using timecode precisely matching the audio to the picture. Location sound, voice over, music, sound effects and atmospheric wild tracks is added to the film or video footage during the editing process.
TelecineThe process of transferring film into electronic form. Also refers to the machine used in this process. Within the film industry, it is also referred to as a TK, as TC is already used to designate time code.
Training, Health & Safety FilmsToast TV can help you every step of the way, from storyboarding, casting & scripting to filming, post production and finally distribution.
TV IdentsPresenting a television programme or television production companies logo in a creative and individual way. Having a unique TV identity helps put your brand in the public eye and keep it there.
UpconversionAlso known as line doubling, the process reduces the visibility of horizontal scan lines.
VOD CastingVOD Casting stands for "video on demand". In a nutshell, Vodcasting is the video version of the now common "podcasting", which allows the broadcast of audio mp3 files. Vodcasting allows the streaming of audio and video on demand and is expected to revolutionise the way television companies operate in the future.
Vox PopsThe Latin term "vox populi" literally means "voice of the people". The abbreviated "vox pops" in broadcasting terms refers to interviewing members of the general public.
