Teleproduction and Other Postproduction Services
Description
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized motion picture or video postproduction services, such as editing, film/tape transfers, subtitling, credits, closed captioning, and animation and special effects.
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Information 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Information sector comprises establishments engaged in the following processes: (a) producing and distributing information and cultural products, (b) providing the means to transmit or distribute these products as well as data or communications, and (c) processing data. The main components of this sector are motion picture and sound recording industries; publishing industries, including software publishing; broadcasting and content providers; telecommunications industries; computing infrastructure providers, data processing, Web hosting, and related services; and Web search portals, libraries, archives, and other information services. The unique characteristics of information and cultural products, and of the processes involved in their production and distribution, distinguish the Information sector from the goods-producing and service-producing sectors. Some of these characteristics are: 1. Unlike traditional goods, an ''information or cultural product,'' such as an online newspaper or a television program, does not necessarily have tangible qualities, nor is it necessarily associated with a particular form. A movie can be viewed at a movie theater or through television broadcast, video-on-demand, or streaming services. A sound recording can be aired on radio, embedded in multimedia products, streamed, or sold at a record store. 2. Unlike traditional services, the delivery of these products does not require direct contact between the supplier and the consumer. 3. The value of these products to the consumer lies in their informational, educational, cultural, or entertainment content, not in the format in which they are distributed. Most of these products are protected from unlawful reproduction by copyright laws. 4. The intangible property aspect of information and cultural products makes the processes involved in their production and distribution very different from goods and services. Only those possessing the rights to these works are authorized to reproduce, alter, improve, and distribute them. Acquiring and using these rights often involves significant costs. In addition, technology has revolutionized the distribution of these products. It is possible to distribute them in a physical form, via broadcast, or online. 5. Distributors of information and cultural products can easily add value to the products they distribute. For instance, broadcasters add advertising not contained in the original product. This capacity means that unlike traditional goods distributors, they derive revenue not from sale of the distributed product to the final consumer, but from those who pay for the privilege of adding information to the original product. Similarly, a directory and mailing list publisher can acquire the rights to thousands of previously published newspaper and periodical articles and add new value by providing search and software and organizing the information in a way that facilitates research and retrieval. These products often command a much higher price than the original information. Excluded from this sector are establishments primarily engaged in custom design of software; mass reproducing software or other prerecorded audio and video material on magnetic or optical media; producing live artistic and cultural works or productions; and performing in or creating artistic and cultural works or productions as independent (i.e., freelance) individuals. |
| 512 | Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries subsector group establishments involved in the production and distribution of motion pictures and sound recordings. While producers and distributors of motion pictures and sound recordings issue works for sale as traditional publishers do, the processes are sufficiently different to warrant placing establishments engaged in these activities in a separate subsector. Production is typically a complex process that involves several distinct types of establishments that are engaged in activities, such as contracting with performers, creating the film or sound content, and providing technical postproduction services. Film distribution is often to exhibitors, such as theaters and broadcasters, rather than through the wholesale and retail distribution chain. When the product is in a mass-produced form, NAICS treats production and distribution as the major economic activity as it does in the Publishing Industries subsector, rather than as a subsidiary activity to the manufacture of such products. This subsector does not include establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of video and sound recordings, such as compact discs and audio tapes; these establishments are included in the Wholesale Trade sector. Reproduction of video and sound recordings that is carried out separately from establishments engaged in production and distribution is treated in NAICS as a manufacturing activity. Establishments that primarily acquire the rights to distribute video and sound recordings to the public via television or radio broadcast or streaming distribution services are classified in Subsector 516, Broadcasting and Content Providers. Establishments using facilities and infrastructure that they operate to distribute cable and satellite television subscription programming are included in Subsector 517, Telecommunications. |
| 5121 | Motion Picture and Video Industries 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in the production and/or distribution of motion pictures, videos, television programs, or commercials; in the exhibition of motion pictures; or in the provision of postproduction and related services. |
| 51219 | Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries 5-digit NAICS industry | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing postproduction services and other services to the motion picture industry, including specialized motion picture or video postproduction services, such as editing, film/tape transfers, titling, subtitling, credits, closed captioning, and computer-produced graphics, animation and special effects, as well as developing and processing motion picture film. Illustrative Examples: Motion picture film laboratories Stock footage film libraries Postproduction facilities Teleproduction services |
| 512191 | Teleproduction and Other Postproduction Services 6-digit U.S. detail | This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized motion picture or video postproduction services, such as editing, film/tape transfers, subtitling, credits, closed captioning, and animation and special effects. |
Need a supply chain stack that maps to this industry?
Use this NAICS classification as the starting point, then connect it to Item workflows across inventory, warehousing, order management, fulfillment, and transportation.
Classification References
- 01Mass duplicating video discs, tapes, and film--are classified in Industry 334610, Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media;
- 02Developing and processing motion picture film--are classified in U.S. Industry 512199, Other Motion Picture and Video Industries;
- 03Providing audio services for film, television, and video productions--are classified in Industry 512240, Sound Recording Studios;
- 04Acquiring distribution rights and distributing film and video productions to motion picture theaters, television networks and stations, other media broadcast and streaming outlets, and exhibitors--are classified in Industry 512120, Motion Picture and Video Distribution; and
- 05Formatting content, provided by a customer, for streaming and providing hosting and infrastructure support on behalf of the content owner, generally on a contract or fee basis--are classified in Industry 518210, Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services.
Index Items
Closed captioning services, taped material
Film or tape closed captioning
Film or video transfer services
Motion picture animation, postproduction
Motion picture or video editing services
Motion picture or video postproduction services
Motion picture or video titling
Motion picture production special effects, postproduction
Postproduction facilities, motion picture or video
Post-synchronization sound dubbing
Sound dubbing services, motion picture
Special effects for motion picture production, postproduction
Subtitling of motion picture film or video
Tape transfer service
Teleproduction services
Titling of motion picture film or video
Video conversion services (i.e., between formats, except technical streaming support services)
Video postproduction services
Video tape and film stock digitization services (except technical streaming support services)
How Item Can Help
Item.com enables global retailers to manage the complex logistics of high-volume, low-temperature storage and distribution required for fresh teleproduction and postproduction equipment. The unified platform provides real-time inventory visibility across warehouse networks, ensuring critical tools and materials reach film sets without delays.
Our network of fulfillment centers offers dedicated staffing for hazardous material handling and temperature-controlled warehousing, which are essential for storing electronic test gear and chemicals. This ensures regulatory compliance and protects fragile assets during the long lead times between purchasing and film shoot completion.
Advanced inventory algorithms predict demand spikes for specific industry tools, allowing retailers to optimize restocking cycles before production needs increase. These insights reduce capital tied up in excess stock while preventing costly stockouts when sets are on schedule.
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 512191.
National Association of Media Postproduction Companies
A major US-based trade association that advocates for postproduction professionals and provides industry resources.
US Census Bureau NAICS 512191 Page
The official government source defining what Teleproduction and Other Postproduction Services includes.
Postproduction.org Industry Directory
A global industry portal dedicated to postproduction professionals, featuring resources, news, and networking.
