Video / Animation
Video brings life to our brand story
Engaging video content builds relationships with our audience, modernizing our brand and evoking genuine emotional connections.
Technical specifications
To ensure our videos maintain a cohesive look and feel, it’s essential to adhere to our clearly defined technical specifications for each project.
This commitment to consistency enhances brand recognition and strengthens our relationships with clients, reflecting our professionalism and attention to detail.
Example
Aspect Ratio
The aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between the width of a video image compared to its height. It is usually expressed as width: height (separated by a colon), such as 16:9 or 4:3. The aspect ratio sets how wide a video is formatted and affects how it will fit on your viewing screen.
16:9
4:3
Video Quality
720p: This is the minimum resolution classified as high definition. It’s suitable for smaller screens and delivers acceptable video quality at lower bandwidths.
1080p: Known as full HD, this resolution features a pixel count of 1920x1080 and is the industry standard for high-definition content. It’s also the optimal choice for videos intended for smartphones.
2K: Quad High Definition (QHD) offers a pixel resolution of 2048x1080, making it ideal for larger displays. This format allows for more flexibility in editing without sacrificing video clarity.
4K: Often referred to as Ultra High Definition, 4K has a pixel resolution of 3840x2160. This level of detail is perfect for cinematic presentations, featuring vibrant graphics and rich colors. While 2K and 4K may appear similar to viewers, 4K provides greater latitude for editing, allowing for zooming in without losing quality.
8K: With an impressive pixel resolution of 7680x4320, 8K represents an exceptionally high-definition format. Although not widely used in filmmaking, it is valuable for applications like green screens, rotoscoping, and reframing.
Note: Video resolution can be adjusted up or down based on specific needs and file size constraints. However, once footage is captured, increasing the resolution is not possible. Depending on the video processing system in use, some degree of degradation may occur.
Color Correction / Grading
How to color correct in 5 steps
Here are the five basic steps to color-correcting footage regardless of the type of editing situation you might find yourself in.
TIP!
Record in “STANDARD MODE” for natural lighting.
Normalize your footage as much as possible.
Fix your saturation first.
Then fix your brightness and contrast.
Set your new white balance.
Double-check your skin tones.
Depending on your footage and editing experience, there are more steps you could include in this process. However, this process should set you on the right path as a basic guide to quickly balance and correct any regular footage needs.
Audio
When recording and using audio, these are things to consider:
Production
Use wireless Lavalier mics when recording subjects.
Make sure to place the receiver behind the subject, positioning the mic under the face where it is least noticeable.
Avoid noisy locations.
Watch levels and ensure there is no feedback, distortion or clipping.
Post-production
Use high quality sound effects and music tracks from our registered stock resources.
Use compression and additional audio plugins to normalize audio levels as needed.
To ensure a high-quality mix, add an AUDIO MASTER track to all videos containing excessive speech and music.
Audio codes are essential for video production
Some popular codes we use:
- AAC provides high-quality audio at a small file size and is compatible with many formats.
- MP3 offers good quality audio and wide compatibility, but is less efficient than AAC.
- WAV preserves original audio quality but has a large file size.
- FLAC has high-quality audio with a smaller file size than WAV.
- AC3 supports surround sound and multichannel audio but may require licensing fees or special hardware.
File Set UP, Naming, and Delivery
How to set up your production files
Setting up your files following the steps below ensures easy editing and no broken links.
- FOOTAGE This folder contains all of your raw footage. The name of these files should include the word RAW. (Example: Outside_take_1_RAW) This folder can also have any motion graphics created in After Effects or Photoshop.
- AUDIO This folder contains all music tracks, sound effects and audio recordings.
- IMAGES This folder contains any stock images, headshots, and or backgrounds.
- AE /PSD These folders are specific to the working files for any additional motion graphics created for a project.
- PREVIEW This folder is where you will place your pre-approved exported projects for review.
- FINAL Place your approved final drafts in this folder.
File Naming
File naming can become complex depending on the amount of footage and scenes you are filming. For video projects that are working with stock, simple file naming is acceptable. Use the following format for naming raw files:
WD_2024_word word word # (version number). For Example: WD_2024_End of Year Wrap Up.
- Use underscore.
- Limit file names to 2-3 words when possible.
- File names should be descriptive of the content
When working with raw footage, it is essential to include the scene, the subject, the take, and the word RAW in the name.
For example: Balcony Scene_Greg_Take 2_RAW
Design guidelines
Corporate Logo Animations
For the introduction and closing frames, the Walker & Dunlop logo should be prominently centered against our primary dark blue color. This placement not only reinforces brand recognition but also conveys a sense of professionalism and cohesion in our visual storytelling.
The W&D icon may also be used for closing frames, offering flexibility while maintaining brand integrity. Whichever option you choose, ensure that the logo and icon reflect the quality and commitment that define Walker & Dunlop.
INTRO
MUSIC
When selecting music for our videos, it’s crucial to choose tracks that embody the essence of Walker & Dunlop. Here are key attributes to consider:
- Upbeat: Energetic and lively music fosters a sense of optimism and enthusiasm, reflecting our proactive approach to client service and our commitment to driving results.
- Corporate: Professional-sounding tracks convey reliability and trust, essential qualities for a leader in commercial real estate and financial services. This style reinforces our brand’s credibility and aligns with our values of integrity and expertise.
- Technology: Incorporating modern and innovative sounds showcases our commitment to forward-thinking solutions. This genre not only highlights our technological edge but also positions us as a progressive leader in the industry.
By carefully curating music that resonates with these themes, we can enhance our storytelling and create a compelling audio-visual experience that reinforces the Walker & Dunlop brand identity.
Here are a few examples
alpha logo animations
Walker & Dunlop has crafted a series of logo animations that incorporate an Alpha channel, enhancing our brand’s dynamic presence across various media. The Alpha channel allows for seamless integration of the logo with other visual elements on the canvas, ensuring a polished and cohesive appearance.
These animations not only bring our logo to life but also reinforce our commitment to innovation and professionalism. By utilizing these motion visuals, we create engaging experiences that resonate with our audience and elevate our brand identity.
WD Logo+Icon Alpha
WD Horizontal Logo Alpha
WD Icon Alpha
