Everything you need to know about timelapse
Imagine that you are a developer of a modern investment project. You want to portray the stages of its development and create appealing advertising materials for your clients. What should you do? You enter the term “timelapse” into a search engine, find SkyConcept’s offer and contact us. And then?
THE FIRST STAGE OF THE WORK ON THE TIMELAPSE
Before we can prepare a preliminary offer for the client, we need to learn about their expectations and the details of the property – its exact location, the spatial plan etc. The next step is exchanging observations and information and choosing the best location for the camera – this is done together with the client or an authorised construction manager. We always try to suggest a few locations, consider all the “pros and cons” and point to the best solution.
FINDING THE BEST PLACE TO INSTALL THE CAMERA
We usually mount the camera on the south side – pictures taken into the sun are of inferior quality, which makes them much less appealing. When working in warehouse parks, we mostly place the equipment on a special pole, pylon or other adapted structure. If the facility under construction is situated in a city, the solution is much simpler – having obtained permission, we can install the camera on the roof of the neighbouring building. In order for the camera to function properly, it must be provided with power supply and an Internet connection. It is usually the developer who connects the equipment to the electrical system. If there is no broadband Internet on the construction site, we set up a mobile connection. However, it is important to note that in such a case, the preview capability is limited by the data transfer package.
THE EQUIPMENT USED TO RECORD THE CONSTRUCTION STAGES
Initially we relied on standard Full HD cameras, but now we mostly use 4K cameras. This type of equipment provides much better image quality and has twice the frame size.
MONITORING THE PROCESS OF TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS
Every day throughout the construction period, we monitor the view from the camera. We make sure that the equipment is working properly and that there are no technical issues. If any errors occur, we immediately start troubleshooting and removing the fault. If the problem concerns the internet connection, we first contact the service provider. Sometimes a simple reboot is enough to get things back to normal. Other possible issues include serious malfunctions, mechanical damage or staining of the lens, all of which require intervention. In such situations, we send our team to repair the equipment.
THE POST-PRODUCTION PHASE
The final stage of the work on the gathered material is the selection of photographs made during the construction works. We discard photos that are of poor quality, such as these taken on rainy or foggy days. We choose the best shots and use them to create a timelapse video, which thanks to the post-production process becomes much more aesthetically pleasing. In order to diversify the material, it is worth taking some additional shots during the construction. These might include stationary or aerial photos that will show the works, the neighbourhood of the property and its changing interior. When supplemented with such elements, the timelapse receives an exceptionally professional look that makes it more dynamic and attractive. A fundamental component of this type of videos is appropriate music, which should be matched to the length and the nature of the video. The material will also benefit from additional elements, such as boards, animations, visualisations, subtitles or a site plan. However, it is important not to overdo it, so as to avoid unnecessary confusion.
THE PURPOSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION TIMELAPSE
Construction timelapses are mostly used for marketing, sales and branding purposes. The clients are happy to display the timelapse video at various events, include it into their portfolio and show it to the future tenants. This exciting form of property presentation enjoys enduring popularity in the real estate industry. Summarising several months of construction works in just a few seconds has the potential to impress each and every audience.
