Welcome to Chowder Media
Let's make your film.
Thank you for choosing Chowder Media to make your film. We're glad to have you on board.
This guide covers how we'll work together, what happens at each stage and what we'll need from your team.
The Chowder team
Calvin Chow, founder, and the crew working on your film
Our guarantee
On brief and on time, or you don't pay.
Your agreement sets out the terms.
A clear plan
We agree milestones, review dates and owners at kickoff.
Easy to work with
We reply quickly, give straight advice and you never have to chase us.
Built to perform
Every film has a business job to do, and we plan around it.
01 · Why this project will work
Good films don't happen by luck.
Our process comes from more than ten years of making video. It's designed to catch problems early and keep things simple for your team.
01
We start with the outcome.
Before we film anything, we agree who the film is for and what it needs to achieve.
02
We get the story right first.
We settle the story before we polish anything, because every later stage builds on it.
03
We keep things moving.
Turnarounds are quick, review dates are set in advance and you always know what's next.
The same process behind films for
02 · How we work together
Five simple habits.
We run the production. These habits help us get the right decisions from you at the right time.
One point of contact
Choose one person to collect your team's feedback and approve each stage.
Two tools
Basecamp holds the schedule, files and approvals. Frame.io is where you watch each version and leave comments on the exact moment you mean.
One set of notes per round
Gather your team's comments, settle any that clash, then send us one list.
Story first, polish last
Early versions look unfinished on purpose. Judge the story first; colour, sound and graphics come later.
No surprises
If something would change the scope, cost or date, we'll talk it through before doing it.
03 · The production process
From first call to final film.
Every project follows these eight stages. Your project includes two revision rounds, unless your quotation says otherwise.
Your edit, at a glance
Two rounds of notes, then your approval and a final check.
If we make a mistake, such as a misspelt name or a missed note, fixing it is a correction. Corrections are free and don't use up a round.
Kickoff and brief
We agree the audience, the goal and the key message.
✓ You approve the briefFrom you
Brand assets, examples you like and your project lead's name.
Planning
We write the script or questions and plan locations, crew and shots.
✓ You approve the planFrom you
A fact check, confirmed interviewees and location access.
Filming
Our crew shoots everything in the plan.
From you
People and places ready on the day.
Version 1 (rough cut)
The first full story. Music, colour and captions are still temporary.
Revision round 1 of 2From you: round 1 notes
Is this the right story? Make big changes now, while they're still easy.
Version 2 (fine cut)
We make your changes and tighten the pacing.
Revision round 2 of 2From you: round 2 notes
Your last creative notes, such as pacing, wording and shot swaps. Please check facts and names too.
Version 3 (picture lock)
We make your round 2 changes. Once you approve, the edit is locked.
✓ You approve the editFrom you
Check your notes were done, then approve. No new creative notes here.
Finishing and final check
We finish the colour, sound, graphics and captions.
✓ Corrections only, always freeFrom you
A last look at names, titles, legal wording and spelling.
Delivery
We export and check every version in your quotation.
✓ You confirm deliveryFrom you
Confirm the right people have the files.
We add captions last because cutting one sentence shifts every caption after it. If you have a preferred caption style, tell us early.
04 · What to expect
Reviews, feedback and timing.
You'll review each version in Frame.io. Pause the video, click and type, and your comment is pinned to that exact moment.
Feedback that keeps things moving
✓ Helpful
"00:18. The opening feels slow. Can we start on the product demo?"
"01:05, must change: legal needs 'up to 30%'."
× Slows things down
"Can you make it pop?" without saying what should change.
Clashing notes, or notes that trickle in over several days.
Each review in four steps
1
Watch the latest version
2
Leave timed comments
3
Your lead agrees one list
4
Post the sign-off in Basecamp
A round is one agreed set of notes on one version. Two are included, plus free corrections. Extra rounds are available at a fixed price.
Staying on schedule
Your timeline assumes notes arrive on time and the brief stays the same. If either changes, we'll tell you which dates move. Late changes cost more because one edit sets off a chain:
05 · Who does what
Our part, and yours.
Chowder will
Run the project to the agreed brief, budget and schedule.
Keep every date, file and approval in one place.
Explain what each review needs you to decide.
Flag any risk to scope or timing early.
Deliver a film you're proud to share.
Your team will
Name one contact who can approve each stage.
Share materials, access and people on time.
Send one agreed set of notes per round.
Tell us early about big changes or slow approvals.
Tell us what success looks like for you.
06 · After launch
A good film keeps working.
Your film can support your sales team, warm up prospects and feed your social channels. At kickoff we'll ask one question that shapes how we plan for this:
Six months from now, what should this film have done for your business?
We quote separately for cutdowns, vertical versions, subtitles and ongoing content through ChowderEngine.
07 · FAQs
Common questions.
Reviews and feedback
Why does the first edit look unfinished?
It's meant to. We lock the story before spending time on colour, sound and captions.
How many revision rounds do we get?
Two, unless your quotation says otherwise. Round 1 is on version 1 and round 2 is on version 2. Version 3 is for your approval.
What's the difference between a revision and a correction?
A revision is a new creative decision, and it uses a round. A correction fixes something that doesn't match what you approved. Corrections are always free.
What if we need a third round?
We can add one at a fixed price. We'll confirm the cost and any change to the date first.
Can everyone on our team comment?
Yes. Your project lead then settles any clashes and tells us the list is final.
Can we send notes by email or WhatsApp?
Quick questions are fine by email or WhatsApp. Please keep film feedback in Frame.io and approvals in Basecamp so nothing gets lost.
What if we forget a comment?
Tell us straight away. If we haven't started editing, it's usually easy to add.
What if a change wasn't made correctly?
Send us the timecode and your original note, and we'll fix it for free.
Timing and changes
What happens if our feedback is late?
Editing pauses until the notes arrive, and we'll share updated dates.
Does the on-time guarantee still apply if we're late?
Your agreement covers this. Late approvals or scope changes allow a fair extension, and we'll show you exactly how the dates moved.
Can we add an interview or another shoot day?
Usually, yes. We'll confirm the cost and timing before booking anything.
What if we change our minds after the edit is locked?
Small text fixes are quick. Bigger changes affect captions, sound and exports, so we'll explain the cost first.
Delivery
What files will we receive?
Everything listed in your quotation. Tell us your channels at kickoff so we frame shots to suit.
Are social cutdowns and vertical versions included?
Only if they're in your quotation. We're happy to quote for extras at any time.
Do we get the raw footage and project files?
Not automatically. Your agreement covers this, so ask us if you need them.
Can we ask for changes after delivery?
Yes. Whether they're included depends on your agreement and the change.
Getting started
Three things for this week.
Choose your project lead.
Add your brand assets and examples to Basecamp.
Tell us what this film should achieve.
We'll handle the rest. Thanks again for choosing Chowder.