Glossary

11.1 Editing workflows

9 min read•august 20, 2024

Editing workflows are the backbone of post-production in TV studio production. They encompass everything from importing raw footage to delivering the final product. A well-structured workflow streamlines creativity, enhances teamwork, and ensures consistent quality across projects.

Efficient editing workflows are crucial for meeting tight deadlines and managing complex TV productions. They involve organizing projects, ingesting footage, assembling rough cuts, refining edits, and integrating graphics and audio. Mastering these processes is key to producing high-quality content efficiently.

Editing workflow overview

  • Editing workflows encompass the entire post-production process, from ingesting raw footage to delivering the final product
  • A well-defined editing workflow streamlines the creative process, improves collaboration, and ensures consistent quality across projects
  • Efficient editing workflows are essential for meeting tight deadlines and managing complex projects in TV studio production

Project organization strategies

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  • Establish a standardized folder hierarchy for each project (e.g., Footage, Graphics, Audio, Exports)
  • Use clear and descriptive folder names to make it easy for team members to locate assets
  • Create separate folders for different versions of the project (e.g., Rough Cut, Fine Cut, Final) to avoid confusion
  • Implement a consistent folder structure across all projects to improve efficiency and reduce errors

File naming conventions

  • Develop a standardized file naming convention that includes relevant information such as date, scene, take, and version number
  • Use underscores or hyphens instead of spaces in file names for better compatibility across different platforms
  • Include the project name or abbreviation in file names to easily identify assets belonging to a specific project
  • Avoid using special characters or long file names that may cause issues with certain software or file systems

Version control systems

  • Implement a system (e.g., , ) to track changes and collaborate with team members
  • Use version control to maintain a history of project revisions, allowing for easy rollback to previous versions if needed
  • Establish a branching strategy to manage different versions of the project (e.g., main branch for final cuts, development branches for experimentation)
  • Encourage team members to commit changes regularly and provide clear descriptions of their updates to facilitate collaboration

Ingesting and logging footage

Importing source media

  • Establish a consistent process for importing source media from various formats (e.g., SD cards, external hard drives, cloud storage)
  • Use media management software (e.g., , ) to streamline the ingest process and apply metadata
  • Verify the integrity of the imported media by checking for any corrupted or missing files
  • Create backups of the source media on a separate storage device or cloud service to prevent data loss

Metadata entry techniques

  • Develop a standardized set of metadata fields relevant to the project (e.g., scene, take, camera, date, location)
  • Use keyboard shortcuts or custom presets to speed up metadata entry during the ingest process
  • Encourage consistent and accurate metadata entry across all team members to improve searchability and organization
  • Utilize metadata templates or import pre-defined metadata from production documents (e.g., shot lists, scripts) to save time

Proxy file creation

  • Generate (lower-resolution versions) of the source media to facilitate faster editing and collaboration
  • Choose an appropriate codec and resolution for proxy files based on the editing software and hardware capabilities
  • Create proxy files during the ingest process or as a separate step, depending on the project's requirements
  • Link proxy files to the original high-resolution media for seamless and final output

Rough cut assembly

Selects reel creation

  • Review and mark the best takes or clips from the ingested footage to create a selects reel
  • Use color labels, markers, or ratings to identify the most promising shots for the rough cut
  • Organize selects by scene, character, or theme to make it easier to find relevant footage during the assembly process
  • Collaborate with the director or producer to ensure the selects align with the creative vision of the project

Storyboarding vs script-based editing

  • Decide whether to use storyboarding or script-based editing techniques based on the project's requirements and creative style
  • Storyboarding involves creating a visual representation of the edit using still images or sketches to plan the shot sequence
  • Script-based editing relies on the written script to guide the assembly process, focusing on dialogue and narrative flow
  • Combine both techniques as needed, using storyboards for complex visual sequences and the script for dialogue-driven scenes

Placeholder graphics and effects

  • Incorporate placeholder graphics and effects in the rough cut to visualize the intended look and feel of the final product
  • Use simple shapes, text, or stock footage to represent titles, lower thirds, , or visual effects
  • Communicate the desired graphics and effects to the artist or VFX team for later refinement
  • Adjust the timing and placement of placeholders as the edit evolves to ensure a smooth integration of final graphics and effects

Collaborative review process

Exporting cuts for feedback

  • Export the rough cut or specific sequences in a format compatible with the review platform or software used by the team
  • Use appropriate compression settings to balance video quality and file size for easier sharing and playback
  • Include timecode or frame numbers in the exported video to facilitate precise feedback and communication
  • Provide clear instructions on how to access and review the exported cuts, especially for remote team members or clients

Revision tracking systems

  • Implement a revision tracking system to manage feedback and changes throughout the review process
  • Use collaborative tools like Frame.io, Wipster, or Vimeo Review to centralize comments and annotations on the video timeline
  • Assign unique version numbers or labels to each exported cut to keep track of the revision history
  • Maintain a changelog or spreadsheet to document the changes made in each revision and the corresponding feedback

Remote collaboration tools

  • Utilize remote collaboration tools to facilitate seamless communication and feedback sessions with team members and clients
  • Use video conferencing platforms (e.g., Zoom, Skype) to conduct real-time review sessions and discuss changes
  • Implement cloud-based project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello) to assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress
  • Establish clear communication protocols and guidelines to ensure effective collaboration, especially when working with remote teams

Fine cut refinement

Pacing and timing adjustments

  • Refine the pacing and timing of the edit based on feedback from the collaborative review process
  • Adjust the length of shots, scenes, or sequences to maintain a engaging rhythm and flow
  • Use techniques like and to create smooth transitions between shots and enhance the storytelling
  • Experiment with different editing patterns (e.g., cross-, montage) to heighten emotional impact or convey parallel narratives

Continuity editing techniques

  • Ensure visual and auditory continuity throughout the edit to maintain the illusion of seamless time and space
  • Pay attention to match cuts, eyeline matches, and screen direction to create a coherent and believable sequence
  • Use establishing shots, cutaways, and inserts to provide context and cover any continuity errors
  • Maintain consistent lighting, color, and sound between shots to avoid jarring transitions or inconsistencies

Dialogue and sound editing

  • Refine the dialogue editing to improve clarity, pacing, and emotional impact
  • Remove any unwanted noises, stutters, or pauses that disrupt the flow of the conversation
  • Adjust the timing of dialogue to create a natural and believable interaction between characters
  • Use sound bridges or ambient noise to smooth transitions between scenes or locations
  • Experiment with different takes or alternate line readings to find the best performance and delivery

Color correction and grading

Primary vs secondary corrections

  • Perform primary color corrections to balance the overall exposure, white balance, and contrast of the footage
  • Use secondary color corrections to target specific areas or elements within the frame for more precise adjustments
  • Apply secondary corrections to enhance or modify colors, create visual separation, or direct the viewer's attention
  • Use qualifiers, power windows, or masks to isolate and adjust specific colors or regions within the image

Look development strategies

  • Collaborate with the director and cinematographer to establish the desired visual style and mood for the project
  • Use reference images, color palettes, or existing films to guide the look development process
  • Experiment with different grading techniques (e.g., , , ) to achieve the intended aesthetic
  • Create multiple looks or variations to provide options for the creative team to review and approve

Color space management

  • Ensure proper color space management throughout the post-production pipeline to maintain color accuracy and consistency
  • Use the appropriate color space (e.g., , ) based on the project's delivery requirements and display devices
  • Apply color space transformations or conversions when working with footage from different sources or formats
  • Maintain a consistent color management workflow across different software applications and tools used in the project

Audio mixing and sweetening

Dialogue leveling and EQ

  • Balance the dialogue levels to ensure consistent volume and intelligibility throughout the project
  • Use equalization (EQ) to enhance the clarity and presence of the dialogue, removing any unwanted frequencies or resonances
  • Apply compression to even out dynamic range and prevent dialogue from getting lost in the mix
  • Utilize automation to make precise level adjustments and maintain a smooth dialogue track

Music and sound effect integration

  • Select and integrate appropriate music tracks to enhance the emotional impact and pacing of the edit
  • Use sound effects to add realism, create a sense of space, or emphasize key moments in the story
  • Balance the levels of music and sound effects relative to the dialogue to ensure clarity and avoid overwhelming the mix
  • Experiment with different placement and timing of music and sound effects to find the most effective arrangement

Stereo vs surround mixing

  • Decide whether to create a stereo or surround sound mix based on the project's delivery requirements and intended viewing environment
  • Use panning and stereo imaging techniques to create a wide and immersive soundscape in stereo mixes
  • Utilize surround sound channels (e.g., 5.1, 7.1) to place audio elements in specific locations and enhance the spatial experience
  • Ensure compatibility and proper downmixing when creating surround mixes to maintain audio quality in stereo playback

Graphics and effects integration

Title and lower third creation

  • Design and create titles and lower thirds that align with the project's visual style and branding
  • Use appropriate typography, color schemes, and animations to make the text legible and engaging
  • Integrate the titles and lower thirds seamlessly into the edit, considering placement, timing, and duration
  • Ensure consistency in the design and animation of titles and lower thirds throughout the project

Compositing and keying techniques

  • Use techniques to combine multiple visual elements into a single frame, creating a cohesive and convincing image
  • Apply keying techniques (e.g., chroma keying, luma keying) to remove green screens or isolate specific elements for compositing
  • Utilize masking, rotoscoping, or tracking to create precise selections or match the movement of elements within the frame
  • Blend the composited elements with the background using color correction, edge feathering, or light matching techniques

Motion graphics templates

  • Develop a library of motion graphics templates for frequently used elements such as transitions, bumpers, or social media graphics
  • Use templates to ensure consistency and efficiency in the creation of motion graphics across the project
  • Customize the templates as needed to match the specific requirements of each instance or scene
  • Collaborate with the motion graphics artist to refine and iterate on the templates based on feedback and creative direction

Final mastering and delivery

Quality control procedures

  • Implement a thorough quality control (QC) process to identify and address any technical or creative issues before final delivery
  • Review the final edit for picture and sound quality, ensuring there are no artifacts, glitches, or unexpected distortions
  • Check for proper synchronization between audio and video, verifying that there are no lip-sync issues or audio drift
  • Conduct a final continuity check to ensure that all shots, scenes, and sequences flow seamlessly and maintain logical consistency

Broadcast specs vs web delivery

  • Understand the specific technical requirements and specifications for broadcast and web delivery
  • For broadcast delivery, adhere to the standards set by the network or station (e.g., video format, aspect ratio, audio levels)
  • Optimize the final output for web delivery by considering factors such as file size, compression, and streaming compatibility
  • Create multiple versions of the final output to accommodate different delivery platforms and devices (e.g., HD, SD, mobile)

Archiving and backup strategies

  • Develop a robust archiving and backup strategy to ensure the long-term preservation and accessibility of project files
  • Create master copies of the final edit in high-quality, uncompressed formats for future use or re-editing
  • Store project files, source media, and final deliverables on reliable storage devices or cloud services with redundant backups
  • Implement a consistent folder structure and naming convention for archived projects to facilitate easy retrieval and reference
  • Document any specific hardware, software, or plugin requirements for accessing and editing archived projects in the future

Key Terms to Review (32)

Adobe Prelude: Adobe Prelude is a video logging and ingest software designed to streamline the workflow for video production, particularly during the pre-editing phase. It allows users to organize, tag, and prepare media files for editing, making it easier to manage large volumes of footage. With features like metadata tagging, scene detection, and rough cut creation, Adobe Prelude enhances efficiency in the editing process by setting a solid foundation before moving to more advanced editing software.
Adobe Premiere Pro: Adobe Premiere Pro is a professional video editing software used for film, television, and online video production. It offers a wide range of tools for editing, color correction, audio mixing, and adding effects, making it a key player in modern editing workflows. Its seamless integration with other Adobe products enhances its functionality, allowing users to create polished and high-quality video content efficiently.
Agile workflow: An agile workflow is a flexible and iterative approach to project management and production that emphasizes collaboration, adaptability, and customer feedback. It allows teams to respond quickly to changes, continuously improving their processes while delivering products in smaller, manageable increments. This method is particularly useful in fast-paced environments like TV studio production, where requirements may evolve rapidly.
Asset Management: Asset management refers to the systematic process of developing, operating, maintaining, and selling assets in a cost-effective manner. In editing workflows, this concept encompasses the organization, storage, retrieval, and archiving of digital media files, ensuring that all assets are easily accessible and efficiently utilized throughout the production process. Effective asset management not only enhances collaboration among team members but also streamlines the overall editing workflow, saving time and resources.
Audio sweetening: Audio sweetening refers to the process of enhancing or improving audio elements in a production to achieve a polished and professional sound. This involves techniques such as equalization, compression, noise reduction, and the addition of effects to ensure that the audio matches the visual elements and conveys the desired mood or emotion.
Color wheels: Color wheels are visual tools used to understand and organize colors based on their relationships to each other. They play a crucial role in the editing process, allowing editors to easily identify color relationships, harmonies, and contrasts, which is vital for achieving the desired mood and visual impact in a project. Additionally, color wheels are instrumental in color correction and grading, helping to adjust the color balance of footage and create a cohesive look that enhances storytelling.
Colorist: A colorist is a professional who specializes in manipulating and enhancing the color of video footage during the post-production process. They use various techniques and software to achieve desired visual aesthetics, ensuring that colors are balanced and contribute to the overall mood and tone of the project. Their work is essential for creating a polished final product that aligns with the creative vision of the director or producer.
Compositing: Compositing is the process of combining multiple visual elements from different sources into a single image or scene, creating the illusion of a cohesive final product. This technique is essential for integrating various layers of video and graphics, enhancing storytelling by allowing seamless transitions between real and virtual elements, and facilitating the incorporation of special effects.
Curves: In the context of editing workflows, curves refer to graphical representations that allow editors to adjust the tonal range and color balance of video footage. By manipulating curves, editors can enhance contrast, brightness, and colors, providing more control over the overall look and feel of the project. This tool is essential for achieving a polished and professional appearance in visual storytelling.
Cutting: Cutting refers to the process of joining or dividing shots in video editing to create a seamless flow of visual storytelling. It plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative by controlling pacing, transitions, and audience engagement, ensuring that the audience remains connected to the content. Effective cutting can enhance the emotional impact of a scene, guide viewer attention, and establish rhythm in both visual and audio components.
DaVinci Resolve: DaVinci Resolve is a professional video editing software that combines editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production in one application. It is known for its advanced color grading tools, allowing users to achieve a high level of visual precision and creativity. The software supports a wide range of file formats and offers a streamlined workflow that enhances collaboration among editors and colorists.
Dialogue syncing: Dialogue syncing refers to the process of aligning audio dialogue with the corresponding video footage in post-production. This is crucial for maintaining continuity and ensuring that the spoken words match the visuals, enhancing the overall viewing experience. Accurate dialogue syncing is essential for clear storytelling and helps maintain audience engagement by making the characters' conversations feel natural and believable.
Final Cut Pro: Final Cut Pro is a professional video editing software developed by Apple Inc., widely used in the film and television industry for its advanced editing capabilities. It allows editors to create high-quality video productions, manage complex projects, and integrate various media elements seamlessly. Key features include a magnetic timeline, advanced color grading tools, and support for 360-degree video editing, making it a powerful tool for both amateur and professional editors.
Git: Git is a distributed version control system that allows multiple users to track changes in files, collaborate on projects, and manage revisions efficiently. It enables users to keep a history of changes, making it easy to revert to previous versions if needed, and supports branching and merging to facilitate parallel development efforts. This flexibility makes it a crucial tool in collaborative editing workflows.
J-cuts: A j-cut is an editing technique where the audio from the next scene begins to play before the visual cut occurs, effectively creating a seamless transition. This technique helps maintain narrative continuity and can enhance the emotional impact of a scene by allowing viewers to hear dialogue or sounds before seeing the associated visuals. J-cuts are often used to draw viewers into a scene and set the tone before the visual elements are revealed.
L-cuts: L-cuts are a specific type of audio and video editing transition where the audio from a subsequent scene starts before the visual transition occurs. This technique enhances storytelling by allowing dialogue or sound from the next scene to bleed into the previous scene, creating a smoother narrative flow and helping to maintain viewer engagement. This technique is commonly used to bridge scenes, making them feel more cohesive and connected.
Linear editing: Linear editing is a traditional method of video editing where footage is arranged in a sequential manner, requiring the editor to work from start to finish. This approach involves copying segments from one tape to another in a specific order, making it essential for maintaining the continuity of a narrative. Linear editing can be seen as the precursor to non-linear editing systems, and understanding it helps clarify the evolution of editing workflows in video production.
LUTs: LUTs, or Look-Up Tables, are mathematical formulas used in video editing and color grading to map one set of colors to another. They allow filmmakers and editors to apply a specific color grade or look to footage quickly, ensuring consistent color processing across different shots. By converting input colors into a predetermined output, LUTs streamline the workflow, enhance creativity, and maintain visual continuity in projects.
Motion graphics: Motion graphics are animated graphic designs that create the illusion of motion or rotation, often combined with audio elements. They are widely used in multimedia presentations, advertisements, and television shows to enhance storytelling and engage viewers. Motion graphics can seamlessly blend text, images, and animations to convey messages more effectively and attractively.
Mp4: MP4 is a digital multimedia format used to store video, audio, and subtitles. It has become one of the most popular formats for streaming and sharing videos online due to its efficient compression, which maintains quality while reducing file size. This makes MP4 highly suitable for various editing workflows and ensures compatibility across different devices and platforms for exporting and delivering content.
Offline editing: Offline editing is the process of editing video content using lower-resolution proxies or files that are easier to work with than the original high-resolution footage. This method allows editors to create rough cuts and make creative decisions without the demands of large file sizes and intensive processing, making the workflow more efficient.
Online editing: Online editing is the process of finalizing and refining a video project after the initial footage has been captured and organized. This stage typically involves working with high-resolution footage, adding visual effects, transitions, sound design, and color correction to create a polished final product. Online editing is essential for delivering a professional-quality piece that meets the standards of broadcast or distribution.
ProRes: ProRes is a high-quality video codec developed by Apple that is widely used in professional video editing and production. It provides a good balance between image quality and file size, making it ideal for editing workflows, as well as for exporting and delivering content in various formats. ProRes supports multiple resolutions and color depths, allowing editors to maintain high visual fidelity while working efficiently.
Proxy files: Proxy files are lower-resolution copies of original media files created to facilitate a smoother editing process, particularly when working with high-resolution footage. These smaller files are used in editing software to reduce the strain on computer resources, allowing for quicker playback and rendering during the editing workflow. By using proxy files, editors can efficiently manage large amounts of data without compromising the final output quality.
Rec. 2020: Rec. 2020, also known as BT.2020, is a color space defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that provides a wider gamut and higher dynamic range than previous standards, enabling more vibrant colors and enhanced visual experiences in digital television and cinema. This specification is essential for next-generation video formats, including 4K and 8K UHD content, allowing for more accurate color reproduction in editing workflows.
Rec. 709: Rec. 709 is a color space defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for high-definition television (HDTV) production. It establishes standards for color representation, including the RGB primaries, transfer characteristics, and color gamut that ensure consistent color reproduction across various devices and media in editing workflows and during color correction and grading processes.
Stereo mixing: Stereo mixing is the process of combining multiple audio tracks into a stereo format, creating a sense of space and depth in the sound. This technique allows for a more immersive listening experience by distributing audio signals across two channels, typically left and right, to enhance the overall audio quality. Stereo mixing plays a crucial role in music production, film soundtracks, and television shows, where sound placement can significantly impact the audience's perception and engagement.
Subversion: Subversion refers to the act of undermining or overthrowing an established system, authority, or norm. It often involves challenging conventional beliefs and practices to create alternative narratives or perspectives, especially in creative fields like media and art. In editing workflows, subversion plays a role in how content is manipulated and presented, impacting audience perception and engagement.
Surround mixing: Surround mixing is the process of creating a multi-channel audio experience that envelops the listener, typically using five or more speakers positioned around them. This technique enhances storytelling in media by providing a more immersive sound environment, allowing for greater emotional engagement and realism. It is particularly important in film, television, and video games where sound design plays a crucial role in the viewer's experience.
Transitions: Transitions are the techniques used in video editing and production to move smoothly from one scene or shot to another. They serve as a bridge that can enhance storytelling by creating continuity, establishing mood, and guiding the audience's attention. The choice of transition can dramatically affect how the viewer perceives the pacing and flow of a visual narrative.
Version Control: Version control is a system that records changes to files over time, allowing users to track, manage, and revert to previous versions of their work. It plays a critical role in editing workflows by enabling collaboration among multiple users, reducing the risk of losing progress, and ensuring that all changes are documented. This system enhances efficiency and organization, making it easier to handle complex projects with many revisions.
Video editor: A video editor is a professional who works with video footage to create a final product that tells a story or conveys a message. This role involves assembling raw footage, adding visual effects, sound design, and transitions to produce polished content for various platforms. Video editors play a crucial role in shaping the narrative and overall feel of the project, working closely with directors and producers to bring the vision to life.
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