CLAi : the process of the edit



		The Process of Post... Deconstructed A "normal" post production workflow starts at the shoot... ~ DIT backs up shoot files on location to master drives. ~ DIT or Colorist color corrects shoot files from one master drive. more > Assuming you are shooting digitally with our RED M-X camera, the DIT transfers the shoot files to dual backup drives on location. These are then run through a "one light" color correction process, which applies a single master color correction to all of the day's footage before rendering it out and exporting to the same pair of backup drives in a ProRes 4:4:4:4 or Avid DNxHD format at a 1080P size (and if we are shooting your project - this is done by the next day and all at no charge... learn more about this ). < less Once the shoot has wrapped... ~ DIT or Colorist render corrected files for edit overnight. ~ Edit Assistant loads rendered files and/or digitizes tapes. more > One drive goes into secure storage, the other to the editor (if this is one of our editors at CLAi they will have already met with you to discuss the project, storyline and style). If you are not shooting with our RED then the correction and rendering of the footage files will have to be done before the editing process can move forward and this can be a huge challenge (see our render time tests for the hard facts). If you are shooting with Canon 5Ds or other DSLR cameras the recorded H.264 files will have to be rendered to ProRes or DNxHD at this point as well. If you are shooting on a tape format we will have to digitize the material using a digitizing/mastering suite to obtain the same format digital files to work with. < less Now the editing begins... ~ Edit Assistant creates file structure with any graphics and audio files available. ~ Editor makes first "rough cut" in 1080P. more > The editor then commences the assembly of a first cut of the program in 1080P. This stage will involve the creation (and your sign off) of the master graphics, draft 3D animation sequences and of some of the soundtrack elements for timing. The editor then goes through a series of additional edits of the program, correcting the piece to match your notes until a signed off rough cut can be achieved. This may take one pass or it may take twenty - editing is a process of trial and error, completely controlled by the skill and understanding of the editor. < less Once you have approved the rough cut... ~ Editor adds final graphics, animations and audio to timeline. ~ Re-master footage at highest quality. ~ Change notes provided, Editor creates multiple passes until signed off. more > Once the content edit is complete the final graphics are created and laid into the approved rough cut timeline, as are the final 3D animation sequences and the final audio soundtrack - which can be completed now that the timing and style has been signed off. When all of this has been finished and positioned the project moves into the final stages of development - finishing. At this point we may go back to the original RED footage and re-export it in full resolution 4k with an accurate individual scene color correction and then recreate the timeline, so that we have the best possible quality in your images. This 4k re-encoding stage is especially important if any resizing, pans and tilts, or zooms have been added to the shots in post; or if they have graphics overlays, effects or any other layering that would reduce image quality; or if they have to be integrated into 3D animation or require FX work or remove elements or add plates. < less When you are 100% happy with the program... ~ Final edit approved and picture locked. ~ Final graphics, animation and audio (with sweetening) added. ~ Color correct new timeline. more > We then complete the finishing phase of the project by tweaking the completed edit to be just so; fine tune the soundtrack with audio sweetening, sound effects and ADR; and run through the program one more time, color correcting shot to shot using Synthetic Aperture's Color Finesse to smooth out any small color changes or apply deliberate color shifts. < less Finally we master and send the program off... ~ Master program to HDCAM tape and other formats/media. more > Finally we master the program - usually at 1080P to HDCAM tape (the highest tape format available, used for almost all broadcast screenings and as the playback media at most film festivals, as well as the archive format of choice), and also to a high resolution 4k or 1080P ProRes 4:4:4:4 master file, to a viewable 1080P H.264 file for playback at high resolution, to a standard definition DVD disk, and in a format suitable for your web site, YouTube, iPad and so on... < less The post process is complicated and takes time to get right, but at the end of the day, it is this mix of creativity and attention to detail through which your program becomes a reality, which is why having an edit team you trust is so important. At CLAi we are in constant contact to ensure that your project is of the highest quality, contains no nasty suprises and, most of all, that it works perfectly!