13 Steps Of Film Editing Technical Workflow

Have you ever wondered what is the workflow of editing a feature film is? How it starts? When does the project go to sound design? When does it go to the colour grading section? What are the final steps? The larger the project, the more important it is to figure out the editing workflow.

Amateur editors tend to import footage and start cutting. That is a recipe for disaster and not a professional workflow to start with. Before even putting footage to a timeline there are 6 steps that a professional editor executes. Also, there are 4 steps after you have made the final cut.

Read on to know step by step workflow of film editing : 

Step 01. Dealing with footage 

Nowadays a film is recorded in different types of cameras. There are different frame rates, resolutions, and formats (codecs & containers). Bringing everything to a common format, resolution, and frame rates is the first step

Step 02. Watching the footage 

This is the most important step in the workflow of video editing. The more you watch the footage, the better your edit will be. An editor must know the footage like the back of their hand. The editor must watch the footage at least 3 times before starting the edit

Step 03. Organising the footage 

Create folders for good and not-good (NG) clips. Create bins and DO NOT DELETE unwanted footage. Anything and everything can be used in editing

Step 04. Setting up the software 

Give your project name & location in the drive. Select the preset, frame rate, and resolution of your project. Check the video and audio settings

Step 05. Import footage in software 

Go to 

File > Import > Media in drive 

In any software

Step 06. Review the footage 

After importing check all the clips in your software browse

Step 07. First assembly 

Here you bring required shots to the timeline and create the arrangement of shots according to the story. Assemble all your useful footage to the timeline

Step 08. Rough Cut 

The rough cut is the second of the three stages of offline editing. More shot selection, approximate trimming. the sound is untreated, unfinished and will require sound editing. The story must be finalised on the timeline at this stage.

Step 09. Final Cut 

The final sequence of videos and sound are selected and put in order. Here the edit is locked 🔒

Step 10. Sound post production 

Audio editing, sound mixing and mastering

Step 11. Colour correction & Grading 

CC is the adjustment of white and black levels, exposure, contrast and white balance. Colour grading is a technical process in which atmosphere and tone are adjusted

Step 12. VFX 

VFX is the integration between actual footage and manipulated imagery to create realistic looking environment for the context

Step 13. Export and file delivery 

You need to know the video end point. Where the video will be played, how it will be delivered to the client