There’s a quiet hero in every successful video project.
It’s not the script. It’s not the gear.
It’s the delivery spec.
I can’t count how many times a project has hit a wall because we didn’t confirm the basics:
“What format are we exporting in? What frame rate was this shot at? Is this going on YouTube or TikTok?”
Without answers, we’re guessing. And guessing costs time.
1. Frame Rate – Choose Once and Stick to It
Frame rate tells your editor how many frames are shown per second. If you shoot in 24fps but deliver in 25fps, expect headaches.
Most common choices:
- 24fps – for a film-style look
- 25fps – standard across Australia and Europe
- 30fps – for online delivery or American broadcast
- 50/60fps – for slow motion or ultra-smooth playback
2. Resolution – Bigger Isn’t Always Better
YouTube accepts 4K, Instagram prefers square, and TikTok needs vertical. Choose your resolution based on where the video will live.
Common formats:
- 1920x1080 (HD) – still widely used
- 3840x2160 (4K) – cleaner but slower to edit
- 1080x1080 or 1080x1920 – for socials
3. Delivery Specs – The Editor's Cheat Sheet
The delivery spec is more than just “send us the video.” It includes:
- Format: ProRes, H.264 or uncompressed?
- Audio: Is music licensed and do you need split stems?
- Social-safe titles: Are key graphics being cropped in vertical versions?
- Extra files: Captions, thumbnails, subtitles, project files?
If you’re planning animations or cutdowns, flag this early.
Bonus: Spec Sheet Template
If you’re delivering assets to a video production company like ours, we can provide a delivery template. It keeps everyone aligned before the edit begins. Reach out and we’ll send a sample.
Final Word
Respect your editor and respect your budget – lock in your delivery specs early. Your project will run smoother, your final output will look better, and you won’t be left fixing problems you could have avoided with one email.
