Best Practices for OTT Content Creation

Begin by researching audience preferences to determine which stories and characters will hold their attention throughout the viewing session, and then produce scripts that incorporate dialogue and plot developments suitable for binge-watching formats. Assemble footage with pacing that suits the episodic structure that people are usually looking for, including cliffhangers at the end of segments to encourage continued watching.

Add layers of audio effects and music that enhance the narrative without overwhelming the spoken words, and be careful to integrate computer-generated elements seamlessly into live-action scenes when the story requires them. Remember that you need to create environments for shooting that authentically reflect the story's setting, so take the time to identify places that fit the script's requirements while staying within your production constraints.

You'll need cameras capable of recording in resolutions that support 4K and higher, and you want to spend whatever time is necessary to properly configure and place your microphones so they capture clear sound and reduce background noise. Arrange your sources so you eliminate shadows and highlight the key elements of each shot.

Process the recorded data on servers and make sure it can stream smoothly over varying network conditions. Be sure to verify that the final versions will play without interruptions on various tested devices through quality control checks. You can also track your audio levels and video synchronization throughout the process using the right monitoring tools, and doing this will save you an incredible headache later if you discover things aren't synced like they should be.

As you sync up, insert markers for advertisements or interactive elements, if you want them added. You'll also want to encode subtitles in multiple languages and make sure they track precisely with the visuals. Don't forget to calibrate to ensure all the colors appear consistent on different displays, and use audio mixing to balance dialogue, effects, and music in the final output. One of the hallmarks of poor-quality content is dialogue that mumbles or effects that are too loud.

There's a number of ways to go about getting paid. First, you've got subscription models, where users pay monthly fees for unlimited access to the library. You can also include advertisements before or during videos in ad-supported versions to get revenue from sponsors, and while you can include both ads and subscription fees at once, be careful here. Viewers will only tolerate so much, so if you have a lower-cost tier of subscription that's subsidized by ads, make sure those ads aren't too intrusive.

You can also integrate sponsored segments into the programming through partnerships with various brands and even get additional income streams going from merchandise sales tied to popular shows. Another way to monetize is to bundle services with other digital products to expand the user base and produce exclusive material that's available only through your premium tiers.