FSW: What is the difference between classical post production for a TV commercial and post production for an interactive application?

Bjoern: Well, in an interactive application the storyline is not linear. So a lot of clips must fit seamlessly with a previous clip. That makes it far more complex. And it's more than only a 30-second movie like in a TV commercial. There are always a lot of small clips, loops etc. and all of them have to have seamless transitions.

FSW: What is the importance of Flash Video for your projects? And if the client provides the idea, how do you make sure that your Flash Video part is integrating well with the interactive concept?

Bjoern: You should not separate the idea and Flash Video part. The video should be part of the idea from the beginning. You shouldn't use video just because you can. There are a lot of great sites without video. But if you use motion pictures as a design element, as a navigation element or as a way to make the web more emotional, it can be great fun. We always try to expand our creativity using new innovations in the areas of Flash, 3D or camera equipment. A few years ago we had some ideas but we couldn't realize them, because the technology wasn't there yet. Now we have those new technologies - which is great... and the development of new innovations is pretty fast now, so there is a lot of space for new ideas.

FSW: What is your favorite video-based site right now? What inspires you?

Bjoern: I like sites with one good idea technically well done. You shouldn't make it too complex. The user wants to be entertained or wants to obtain information, so he has to understand the application right away. And it is always good trying to avoid video loading times. I mean you are not willing to wait in front of a television looking at a black picture for 20 seconds and then watch one commercial... that doesn't work. I like the interactive tour we've created for the Audi Q7. It presents a lot of information in a nice interactive way. And I like the IKEA kitchen special. Very nice work. What inspires me? I started out doing post production (3D and compositing) and special effects for TV commercials and music clips. I worked on clips for Depeche Mode, Lou Reed and spots for McDonald's and I'm still getting most of my inspiration from the TV world. There are cool spots, nice little stories told in 30 seconds with beautiful visual concepts. For our online applications I always try to reach the visual and storytelling standards of international TV commercials.