Editing Begins: Getting to Know the Footage
Michael Rabiger, Mick Hurbis-Cherrier · 2020
The editorial staff will ingest the footage into their non-linear editing system and then they identify each individual shot as a unique, separate media file called a clip, labeling it with its scene and take number. Organizing all footage in advance means film directors can then make duplicate hard drives so director and editor can each have one. The raw unedited footage generated by a film production is called Dailies, because directors and principal crew aim to review all footage daily or as soon after shooting as possible. For short films or films shot on a tight time schedule it may be impossible to review footage daily, but reviewing raw footage is important in case film directors need to make changes of approach or schedule reshoots before they leave a location. Fundamental issues are out of the closet: maybe the film is slow and some scenes include unnecessary exposition, or hang on beyond a good ending point.