Book-Ends are re-useable video files that are re-written each time in a slightly different way to contain important information about the production itself. In the ones that I design, here is how I like the information to flow.
Both Intro and Outro sequences contain only music, a series of footages, and text. It's advised to not use the same song for both the intro and the outro sequences.
Here is a look at each.
Intro Sequences
These should contain some of the same basic footage. These can be seasonal depending on the time of the year. Intro sequences should contain one or two varied sequences of clip from the plot in the upcoming narrative. There are several clips in particular Intro sequences which recur with a certain degree of consistency.
The names of all included actors should be mentioned in the Intro Sequence, combined with the on-screen presence of the actor. These cannot be done in FCP. These graphics need to be custom-produced in After-Effects with the correct corresponding template, which is another re-useable file which can be modified, re-exported to look similar but contain different information. While some sequences can be identical from one intro sequence to another, there should be enough variation so that one Vignette is distinguishable fro others based on the content of the intro sequence. It should become immediately evident which episode a person is watching from the first 15 seconds, particularly for people who have seen a bunch and are going back to find particular episodes but can't remember the name.
Time Breakdown of Intro Sequences
Outro Sequences
The Outro sequences contain some clips pertaining to the outcome of the particular scene. Sometimes Outro sequences will imply two separate outcomes. The outro sequence also contains the names of the Production Staff. The way to ensure that there is footage of following scenes in the Outro Sequences is to follow the rule of "3Delay Release" - meaning that exporting a video should be held upon the filming of the piece following the sequel, or upon filming the scenes for following segments. This can be diagrammed.
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| Release A at point X, after B is filmed |
