Technical Specifications
A specification turns decisions into a handoff another person can follow and test. Each table gives an independent feature a coherent baseline, production fields, and a validation record. Specialists may replace defaults when tests, creative intent, or recipient requirements justify the override.
Issue a complete specification
Copy applicable tables into a production file and accept or replace each default. Write Not applicable with a reason. Retain document control, issue changed revisions, and record receipt.
If no qualified person can complete a field:
- Record the recommended default.
- Ask the receiving facility in writing.
- Hire a consultant for the affected handoff.
- Use [no default - must be specified] until a value is recorded and tested.
Download the complete machine-readable specification template. Editable Word, Excel, and CSV templates appear under each specification. Defaults come from the handbook's workflow, VFX turnover, OpenEXR, DI turnover, delivery, and archive guidance. Undocumented baselines carry the no-default marker.
Choose the specifications the production needs
Start with image pipeline, dailies, VFX plate and final, review media, and DI turnover. Add other specifications when their work enters the schedule.
| Specification | Responsible lead | Approver | Issue by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Image pipeline | Colorist, DI, or image-pipeline lead | Producer and VFX supervisor | Before camera and dailies tests |
| Dailies and editorial proxies | Dailies lead | Editor and image-pipeline lead | Before the first shoot day |
| On-set VFX data and elements | VFX supervisor | Producer and cinematographer | Before the relevant photography |
| VFX plates | VFX supervisor with the DI or plate-pull operator | Image-pipeline lead | Before the first plate pull |
| VFX final renders | VFX supervisor with the DI | Image-pipeline lead | Before the vendor round-trip test |
| Review media | VFX producer or supervisor | Director and producer | Before the first creative review |
| DI turnover | Editor or assistant editor with the DI | Editor | Before the first turnover |
| Mastering and delivery | DI or mastering technician | Producer | Before master renders |
| Archive and preservation | Archive custodian with the DI and editorial | Producer | Before vendors and post staff wrap |
| Security and access | Producer or post supervisor | Producer | Before external access begins |
| Asset and delivery manifest | Department publishing the assets | Sender and recipient | With every delivery |
Use one document-control block
Every forwarded specification must retain this provenance.
| Field | Recommended default | Production value |
|---|---|---|
| Show | Full project title and short production code | |
| Spec ID | Project code, subject, and SPEC, for example HBL-VFX-PLATE-SPEC |
|
| Revision | v001, incremented for every issued change |
|
| Issued | ISO date and time with time zone | |
| Effective | Immediately unless a future handoff is named | |
| Supersedes | None for the first issue, otherwise the prior revision |
|
| Prepared by | Named person, role, company, and contact | |
| Approved by | Named production and technical approvers | |
| Issued to | Named people and companies | |
| Acknowledgment record | Recipient, date, revision received, and exceptions | |
| Authoritative location | One production-controlled file or record |
Use WIP, in review, approved, rejected, final, delivered, or superseded.
Final has creative and technical approval. Delivered reached the recipient. Use production
revision v###; record vendor revisions separately. Not applicable requires a reason.
Image-Pipeline Specification
Defines image state, framing, timebase, transforms, and approval surfaces across departments.
Editable templates: Word · Excel · CSV
Document control
Use the subject code IMAGE-PIPELINE.
- Show: ________
- Spec ID / Revision: ________
- Issued / Effective / Supersedes: ________
- Prepared by / Approved by: ________
- Issued to: ________
- Acknowledgment record / Authoritative location: ________
| Field | Recommended default | Production value |
|---|---|---|
| Pipeline lead | [no default - must be specified] | |
| Principal camera inputs | [no default - must be specified] | |
| Project timebase | One progressive rate, normally 23.976 or 24.000 fps. Match camera, sound, dailies, editorial, conform, and masters. | |
| Off-speed material | Record sensor and playback rates. Interpret at the project timebase unless the creative retime requires another tested method. | |
| Working raster | 3840x2160 UHD container with the approved active image, unless theatrical pixel geometry or a known recipient requires another raster | |
| Framing | One versioned framing chart with intended and protected aspect ratios | |
| Extraction and common center | Preserve the approved camera extraction and center throughout dailies, VFX, DI, and mastering | |
| Anamorphic squeeze factor | 1.0 for spherical. Otherwise record the lens squeeze. |
|
| De-squeeze stage | Monitoring and dailies preview are de-squeezed. VFX plate geometry follows the plate specification. | |
| Color-management system and version | ACES 2.0 with one pinned OCIO configuration for a new VFX-heavy production, unless the DI defines another tested managed pipeline. Do not change the system or version after approval. | |
| OCIO version and configuration | One config filename, OCIO major version, repository tag or release, and SHA-256 hash | |
| Authoritative config location | One production-controlled package with read-only issued revisions | |
| Scene-referred interchange | ACES2065-1 when an archival or cross-facility interchange is required | |
| VFX working and render space | ACEScg in 16-bit floating-point OpenEXR | |
| Grading space | ACEScct for this baseline. Record another tested working space when the colorist recommends it. | |
| Show LUT or creative transform | [no default - must be specified] | |
| Per-shot CDL handling | Record CDL values, apply them to dailies, and send the final values with VFX plate packages for reference | |
| Viewing transform | Name the complete working-image-to-display path, including the creative transform and output transform | |
| SDR output color space | Rec.709 / BT.1886 at 100 cd/m² | |
| Theatrical mastering gamut and white | Not planned until funded or required. For a standard theatrical DCP, use P3DCI. | |
| Theatrical encoding and transfer function | Not planned until funded or required. For a standard theatrical DCP, use DCI X'Y'Z' / Gamma 2.6. | |
| Theatrical reference luminance | Not planned until funded or required. For a standard theatrical DCP, use 48 cd/m² unless the specification requires another target. | |
| HDR plan | Not planned until funded or required. When planned, record PQ or HLG and the mastering container. | |
| HDR mastering display | Not applicable when HDR is not planned. Otherwise record model, gamut, white point, peak and black luminance, calibration tolerance, and date. | |
| HDR and SDR derivation order | Not applicable when HDR is not planned. Otherwise specify HDR first with an approved SDR trim, SDR first with an approved HDR grade, or two discrete grades. | |
| Dolby Vision | No until funded or required | |
| Dolby Vision responsibility | Not applicable unless Dolby Vision is required. Otherwise name responsibility for analysis, trims, metadata export, and QC. | |
| Mastering-display metadata | Not applicable unless required by the recipient | |
| MaxCLL | Not applicable unless required by the recipient | |
| MaxFALL | Not applicable unless required by the recipient | |
| Dynamic HDR metadata | Not applicable unless required by the recipient | |
| DI approval display | [no default - must be specified] Record model, target, calibration report, tolerance, date, and re-verification interval. | |
| Other approval surfaces | Name each qualified vendor or remote display. Mark unqualified laptops, phones, and web players as reference only. | |
| Titles and graphics input | sRGB assets must be tagged and transformed through the documented graphics input path. Do not assume an untagged file is sRGB. | |
| Grain, texture, halation, and lens effects | Apply after VFX in the DI unless a tested creative exception is approved before photography | |
| Resize and reformat policy | Name the responsible department, scaling stage, filter, target raster, and whether VFX returns plate resolution | |
| Negative-value policy | Preserve through scene-referred processing. Clamp only at a named required output. | |
| NaN and infinity policy | Reject or repair before delivery to the DI | |
| Out-of-gamut policy | Use the approved transform or gamut-compression method. Do not clip without a documented exception. | |
| Config update procedure | Issue a new revision, rerun affected tests, notify recipients, and record acknowledgment |
Approval test
| Test | Recommended default | Production result |
|---|---|---|
| Camera-to-dailies-to-VFX-to-DI round trip | One representative shot, including a difficult highlight, saturated color, and skin tone | |
| Approval display | Review on the named DI or qualified projection display | |
| Evidence | Test files, configuration hash, difference result, approvers, date, and exceptions |
Attach every configuration, LUT, DCTL, LMT, CDL, BLG, framing chart, calibration report, and test image named in the specification.
Dailies and Editorial Proxy Specification
Preserves source identity, timebase, framing, sync, viewing, and relink through editorial.
Editable templates: Word · Excel · CSV
Document control
Use the subject code DAILIES.
- Show: ________
- Spec ID / Revision: ________
- Issued / Effective / Supersedes: ________
- Prepared by / Approved by: ________
- Issued to: ________
- Acknowledgment record / Authoritative location: ________
| Field | Recommended default | Production value |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial application and project | [no default - must be specified] | |
| Proxy codec and wrapper | ProRes Proxy QuickTime for most small productions. Use DNxHR LB MXF when the Avid workflow requires it. | |
| Proxy raster | 1920x1080 with the approved active image and framing | |
| Proxy frame rate | Match the project timebase exactly | |
| Timecode | Preserve source timecode and reel or camera-roll identity. Record any duplicate-timecode exception. | |
| Camera metadata | Preserve source clip name, camera roll, lens data, exposure index, white balance, and source rate where available | |
| Sound sync | Sync 48 kHz production audio and retain source audio timecode, file name, track names, and channel mapping | |
| Color processing | Apply the approved camera input, final dailies CDL, Show LUT or creative transform, and viewing transform | |
| Color tags | Rec.709 review media tagged with NCLC values 1-1-1 |
|
| Burn-ins | Project, source clip, source timecode, record timecode, camera roll, and framing reference | |
| Editorial metadata delivery | [no default - must be specified] Use ALE, XML, or the NLE-native record required by editorial. | |
| Proxy naming | Preserve the source clip name or maintain a tested one-to-one relink table | |
| Delivery and retention | [no default - must be specified] Record the production-controlled location and vendor deletion date. |
Verification
| Test | Recommended default | Production result |
|---|---|---|
| Relink | Relink at least one clip from proxy to camera original with zero-frame timing error | |
| Sync | Check first and last synchronized frames of each production day | |
| Image path | Compare the proxy against the approved dailies view on the named display | |
| Evidence | Test clip IDs, result, reviewer, date, and exceptions |
On-Set VFX Data and Elements Specification
Defines the reference, survey, and element package that the VFX team logs for each setup.
Editable templates: Word · Excel · CSV
Document control
Use the subject code VFX-SET-DATA.
- Show: ________
- Spec ID / Revision: ________
- Issued / Effective / Supersedes: ________
- Prepared by / Approved by: ________
- Issued to: ________
- Acknowledgment record / Authoritative location: ________
| Field | Recommended default | Production value |
|---|---|---|
| Shot or setup list | VFX breakdown with one row per required reference or element | |
| Lens grids | Capture the relevant lens, focal length, focus distance, stop, squeeze, and camera mode | |
| Chrome and diffuse spheres | Record before the setup changes when lighting reconstruction requires them | |
| Color chart | Record under the setup lighting and identify the chart model | |
| HDRI | Record bracket count, spacing, lens, nodal method, orientation, and merge responsibility | |
| Survey | Record LiDAR, photogrammetry, Gaussian-splatting capture, measurements, coordinate system, units, camera position, and height as required | |
| Camera and lens metadata | Camera, clip, lens, focal length, focus, iris, camera position, height, shutter, and available i/Technology or lens-system data | |
| Witness cameras | Record camera ID, frame rate, timecode or sync method, position, lens, and media path | |
| Clean plates and elements | Record full-shot range, camera settings, intended use, and relationship to the principal take | |
| Tracking markers | Record placement, removal scope, and any production-design features intended to support tracking | |
| Naming | Project, sequence, shot or setup, element type, camera, and revision | |
| Destination | Production-controlled set-data directory linked from the VFX shot record | |
| Inventory and checksum | One manifest for every delivered reference and element package | |
| Missing material | Name the missing item, affected shots, recovery plan, cost, and approver |
VFX Plate Specification
Defines how camera material becomes a VFX plate without giving each artist a new RAW decode.
Editable templates: Word · Excel · CSV
Document control
Use the subject code VFX-PLATE.
- Show: ________
- Spec ID / Revision: ________
- Issued / Effective / Supersedes: ________
- Prepared by / Approved by: ________
- Issued to: ________
- Acknowledgment record / Authoritative location: ________
Four frames at each end is an indie budget baseline, not a technical limit. It controls the size of every plate and final. When editorial identifies a likely extension, add the required frames before the pull. Extra handles cost less than a second turnover.
| Field | Recommended default | Production value |
|---|---|---|
| Plate format | OpenEXR image sequence | |
| Pixel data type | 16-bit floating-point. Use 32-bit floating-point only when a tested range or operation requires it. | |
| Base channels | RGB | |
| Additional channels | None unless the approved handoff requires named alpha, matte, or data channels | |
| Compression | ZIP1, lossless. Record one selected compression method. Use PIZ or lossless HTJ2K only after the exact vendor and DI applications pass a round trip. Do not list alternate compression methods in the issued specification. | |
| Multipart plates | Single-part by default. Use multipart only when the vendor and DI validate the exact channel and compression layout. | |
| Color encoding | Match the image-pipeline specification. ACEScg for this baseline. | |
| Plate raster | Match the approved camera extraction | |
| Extraction and overscan | Full approved extraction with no unintended crop. Record full sensor, framed extraction, or named overscan. | |
| Pixel aspect ratio | 1.0 after the agreed de-squeeze |
|
| Anamorphic handling | De-squeeze during the plate pull and return finals in the same geometry, unless a squeezed workflow passes the round-trip test | |
| Display and data windows | Match the full plate raster unless an approved overscan or region rule is documented | |
| Plate handles | No more than 4 frames at both head and tail unless editorial identifies a very likely cut extension | |
| Frame-number convention | First edit frame is 1001. Number head handles backward from 1000. | |
| Plate frame rate | Match the project timebase | |
| Source sensor and playback rates | Record both for off-speed material | |
| Timewarp and retime | Treat every required retime frame as a main frame. State whether the vendor or DI applies the retime. | |
| Naming pattern | Project, sequence, shot, plate role, and frame number | |
| Source lineage | Source clip, camera roll, source timecode, source frames, and plate frame mapping | |
| Editorial transforms | Supply exact resize, reposition, crop, stabilization, flip, flop, and opacity values with a reference | |
| Lens distortion | Supply the original distorted plate plus the approved STMap, model, grids, and metadata. Return the final re-distorted unless another stage is named. | |
| Reference and element package | Supply required HDRI, chrome and grey spheres, color chart, clean plate, witness camera, LiDAR or survey data, tracking data, and camera report. | |
| Multi-plate structure | Name background, clean, foreground, tile, element, stereo, and alternate-camera plates separately | |
| Performance reference | Supply synchronized cut-context video and audio when performance or lip sync matters | |
| Framing reference | Versioned chart identifying intended frame, protected frame, extraction, and overscan | |
| Camera RAW decode | Decoder or SDK version, quality, exposure index, white balance, tint, highlight recovery, sharpening, noise reduction, and output encoding | |
| Baked operations | No display LUT, creative look, sharpening, or noise reduction unless the approved decode test requires it | |
| Manifest and checksum | Per-file SHA-256, or the recipient's required method with the algorithm named |
Decode and plate test
| Test | Recommended default | Production result |
|---|---|---|
| Distributed plate identity | Record one reference frame and its checksum | |
| Camera RAW decode match | When a vendor must decode Camera RAW, compare its test render against the approved reference and record the pixel-difference method and tolerance | |
| Plate-to-vendor-to-DI round trip | One complete logical shot with head and tail handles, metadata, and the production viewing path | |
| Evidence | Reference IDs, hashes, difference images or measurements, approvers, date, and exceptions |
VFX Final-Render Specification
Defines the full-quality VFX image that advances to the DI.
Editable templates: Word · Excel · CSV
Document control
Use the subject code VFX-FINAL.
- Show: ________
- Spec ID / Revision: ________
- Issued / Effective / Supersedes: ________
- Prepared by / Approved by: ________
- Issued to: ________
- Acknowledgment record / Authoritative location: ________
| Field | Recommended default | Production value |
|---|---|---|
| Final format | OpenEXR image sequence | |
| Pixel data type | 16-bit floating-point. Use 32-bit floating-point only when a tested range or operation requires it. | |
| Base channels | RGB | |
| Additional channels | None unless the DI requests approved named mattes or data channels | |
| Compression | ZIP1, lossless. Record one selected compression method. Use PIZ or lossless HTJ2K only after the exact vendor and DI applications pass a round trip. Do not list alternate compression methods in the issued specification. | |
| Color encoding | Match the plate and image-pipeline specifications. ACEScg for this baseline. | |
| Raster and extraction | Match the plate exactly unless the approved round trip defines another result | |
| Pixel aspect ratio | Match the plate exactly | |
| Project frame rate | Match the plate and DI timeline | |
| Delivery range | Return the complete logical shot with 4 comp handles at both head and tail unless the shot record says otherwise | |
| Frame numbering | Preserve the plate-to-source mapping and retain frame identity when handles change | |
| Filename pattern | Project, sequence, shot, task, revision, frame number, and extension | |
| Alpha | None by default. When required, state straight or premultiplied and name the premultiplication encoding. | |
| Channel naming convention | OpenEXR layer.channel, using names approved by the DI |
|
| Mattes | Name each channel, data type, premultiplication state, encoding, and intended use | |
| Multipart, Cryptomatte, or deep data | Not included unless the DI requests and validates the representation | |
| Data and display windows | Match the plate rule | |
| Lens distortion | Return the final in the same distortion state and geometry as the plate unless the DI approves another handoff | |
| Timewarp | Apply only at the stage named in the plate and shot specifications | |
| Burn-ins | Prohibited in final picture frames | |
| Slate | Optional outside the numbered image sequence. It must not shift frame numbers. | |
| Stable asset ID | Production shot or asset ID from the tracking record | |
| Production revision pattern | v### |
|
| Source vendor revision | Record separately when supplied. Do not substitute it for the production revision. | |
| State | Use only the controlled vocabulary on this page | |
| Provenance | Creator, role, date, reason, source revision, and software or pipeline revision | |
| Zero-net-change tolerance | Bit-identical in unchanged regions when the plate and final use the same representation. Use a signed pixel-difference test at zero tolerance. If a required conversion prevents a bit-identical result, approve and record another numerical tolerance during the round trip. | |
| QC report | Required with corrupt-frame, missing-frame, NaN, infinity, color, geometry, matte, grain, and full-frame inspection results | |
| Delivery path | Named production-controlled transfer location and folder pattern | |
| Manifest and checksum | Per-file SHA-256, or the recipient's required method with the algorithm named |
Review-Media Specification
Defines a review proxy, its frame correspondence, and the decisions it can support.
Editable templates: Word · Excel · CSV
Document control
Use the subject code REVIEW-MEDIA.
- Show: ________
- Spec ID / Revision: ________
- Issued / Effective / Supersedes: ________
- Prepared by / Approved by: ________
- Issued to: ________
- Acknowledgment record / Authoritative location: ________
| Field | Recommended default | Production value |
|---|---|---|
| Codec and wrapper | H.264 QuickTime | |
| Raster | 1920x1080 with the approved framing | |
| Frame rate | Match the project timebase | |
| Quality floor | 20 Mb/s for 1920x1080 H.264. Increase the rate for a larger raster, high frame rate, grain, or difficult motion. Inspect the exact file before review. | |
| Review-platform proxy | A review service may create a lower-quality streaming proxy. Inspect the streamed image. When compression affects a note, check the uploaded source or a full-quality still before assigning work. | |
| Color encoding | Rec.709 / BT.1886 | |
| Color tags | Write nclc or nclx values equivalent to 1-1-1 for Rec.709 review media, as supported by the wrapper. |
|
| Viewing transform | Same named creative and viewing chain used for approved production review | |
| Framing | Match the current editorial framing, with letterbox or pillarbox included where required | |
| Handles | Show the cut range in editorial context. Include handles only for a named technical review. | |
| Burn-ins | Project, shot ID, revision, state, frame, record timecode, vendor, and date | |
| Start timecode | 01:00:00:00 for every review QuickTime unless another value is agreed before vendor onboarding |
|
| Audio | Current stereo editorial reference at 48 kHz | |
| Review platform | Frame.io for most independent productions, with password and recipient controls | |
| Approval authority | Named person and scope of approval | |
| Permitted decisions | VFX creative and timing review. Final color and image-quality approval require the named calibrated display. | |
| Retention | Export approvals and notes before the platform's deletion or account-closure date |
Correspondence test
| Test | Recommended default | Production result |
|---|---|---|
| QuickTime-to-EXR correspondence | Record test shot, QuickTime start and end, EXR range, and DI verification | |
| Color comparison | Compare the QuickTime and final EXR through the same viewing transform | |
| Evidence | Test IDs, reviewer, date, result, and exceptions |
DI Turnover Specification
Defines the cut, sources, references, exceptions, and zero-frame conform check delivered to the DI.
Editable templates: Word · Excel · CSV
Document control
Use the subject code DI-TURNOVER.
- Show: ________
- Spec ID / Revision: ________
- Issued / Effective / Supersedes: ________
- Prepared by / Approved by: ________
- Issued to: ________
- Acknowledgment record / Authoritative location: ________
| Field | Recommended default | Production value |
|---|---|---|
| Cut identifier | Project, editorial revision, lock state, date, and runtime | |
| Project timebase | Match the image-pipeline and editorial project specifications | |
| Source-rate and ramp report | List off-speed, mixed-rate, interpreted, timewarped, and speed-ramped sources. Record sensor, playback, and timeline rates. | |
| Reel or longplay structure | One longplay for a simple single-operator finish. Use versioned reels when picture, sound, VFX, or mastering benefits. | |
| Reel boundaries | Record timecode hours, frame ranges, and any later rebalance | |
| Leaders and pops | Eight-second digital head leader and a one-frame two-pop exactly two seconds before first frame of action when reels are used | |
| Interchange file | Supply the NLE's strongest supported interchange plus a flattened EDL | |
| Offline reference | QuickTime with matching timecode, source and record burn-ins, framing, and guide audio | |
| Camera-original delivery | Never the production's only copy. Supply camera originals or checksummed consolidated media with a file manifest. | |
| Consolidation handles | Record the required source handles for non-VFX media | |
| VFX status list | Shot ID, intended revision, state, expected delivery, and current DI revision | |
| VFX delivery | Full-quality finals, matching QuickTimes, manifest, and approval record | |
| Titles and graphics | Source project, fonts, reference, alpha, color encoding, and final or temporary state | |
| Optical-effects list | Simple and complex opticals, responsible party, source, reference, and approval state | |
| Color metadata | Final dailies CDL values, Show LUT or creative transform, stills, ALE, and exceptions | |
| Audio reference | Current guide mix, two-pop where required, track layout, and sound-turnover ID | |
| Post-lock change list | One versioned list with old and new timecode, source, action, affected VFX and sound, and responsible approver | |
| Re-turnover procedure | Issue a new cut ID, interchange, reference, change list, and affected media package | |
| Conform-check method | Assistant editor compares DI and editorial by difference, checkerboard, or synchronized A/B with matching burn-ins | |
| Conform tolerance | Zero frames and no unapproved framing, opacity, speed, effect, or source change | |
| Conform approval | Assistant editor, result, date, discrepancy list, and corrected-check revision |
Mastering and Delivery Specification
Defines approved sources and outputs for exhibition, delivery, accessibility, and later versioning.
Editable templates: Word · Excel · CSV
Document control
Use the subject code MASTERING-DELIVERY.
- Show: ________
- Spec ID / Revision: ________
- Issued / Effective / Supersedes: ________
- Prepared by / Approved by: ________
- Issued to: ________
- Acknowledgment record / Authoritative location: ________
| Field | Recommended default | Production value |
|---|---|---|
| Approved source picture | Stable asset ID, revision, frame range, state, and checksum | |
| Approved source sound | Stereo and available 5.1 printmaster IDs, revisions, rate, length, channel order, and checksums | |
| Deliverables matrix | One row per required master or package with recipient, purpose, due date, source IDs, technical target, text state, audio, QC, and acceptance | |
| Audio matrix | One row per mix, stem, M&E, or optional with layout, language, sample rate, bit depth, loudness target, and source ID | |
| Text and accessibility matrix | One row per subtitle, caption, CCAP, OCAP, forced narrative, or localized graphic with language, territory, format, and QC state | |
| Core video master | UHD ProRes 4444 texted Rec.709 SDR at the native frame rate and intended aspect ratio | |
| Uncompressed image master | 16-bit TIFF image sequence when funded for archival and downstream mastering | |
| Textless elements | Complete clean shots, cut-to-cut, for every shot containing removable text | |
| Review screener | HD H.264 QuickTime Rec.709 with stereo audio on a password-protected link | |
| Festival and private exhibition | Not included unless an exhibition is planned. When required, create an unencrypted SMPTE or Bv2.1 DCP with the approved picture, sound, subtitles, and accessibility tracks required by the venue. | |
| DCP frame rate | Not applicable without a DCP. For a 23.976-origin feature, re-clock the same picture frames at 24.000 fps. Runtime becomes 0.1% shorter, about 5.4 seconds per 90 minutes. Use another whole-frame rate only when the authoring and playback specification supports it. | |
| DCP audio conversion | Not applicable without a DCP. Obtain a matching 24.000 printmaster from the re-recording mixer. A straight 23.976-to-24.000 speed change raises pitch about 1.7 cents unless pitch correction is applied. | |
| Captions and subtitles | Start by picture lock. Record languages, forced narratives, CCAP, OCAP, subtitle assets, and human QC. | |
| HDR | Not included in the internal baseline. Add only with funded mastering, monitoring, metadata, trims, and QC. | |
| IMF | Supplement upon sale when the recipient supplies an application and package specification | |
| Naming | Project, purpose, target, text state, language, revision, and extension | |
| Package type | Name DCP, IMF, flat-file delivery, or other recipient package | |
| Validation | Record automated validation tool, version, report, human playback QC, and disposition | |
| QC correction window | At least two business days between final playback QC and shipment | |
| Recipient acceptance | Delivered-to, received-by, date, exceptions, final state, and acceptance record | |
| Master lineage | Record every deliverable's source picture, source sound, transforms, text state, and derivation order |
Archive and Preservation Specification
Defines what survives, where copies live, who maintains them, and whether restoration works.
Editable templates: Word · Excel · CSV
Document control
Use the subject code ARCHIVE.
- Show: ________
- Spec ID / Revision: ________
- Issued / Effective / Supersedes: ________
- Prepared by / Approved by: ________
- Issued to: ________
- Acknowledgment record / Authoritative location: ________
| Field | Recommended default | Production value |
|---|---|---|
| Archive scope | Camera originals, production audio, editorial projects, VFX finals, contracted scene files and elements, DI project, sound masters, approved picture masters, textless elements, captions, configurations, fonts, manifests, and documentation | |
| Preservation layers | Original sources, reconstruction materials, and approved masters | |
| Minimum funded tier | Camera originals and production audio, approved picture and sound masters, VFX finals, current editorial and finishing projects, pipeline dependencies, manifests, checksums, and restore instructions. | |
| Minimum copy rule | Keep two verified copies of the minimum funded tier in separate locations. | |
| Expanded tier | 3-2-1 with three copies, two media types, and one geographically separate copy | |
| Copy locations | Named media, physical or cloud location, custodian, and access method | |
| Storage medium | Name drive, LTO generation, object storage class, or managed archive service | |
| Encryption | Name method, key custodian, recovery process, and emergency access contact | |
| Vendor retention | Record each vendor's deletion date and move required material before that date | |
| Retention period | Indefinite for irreplaceable originals and approved masters. Record shorter periods and reasons for working media. | |
| Migration responsibility | Named person or company, funding source, review interval, and next migration date | |
| Production-entity closure | Name the person or company that receives custody if the production entity closes | |
| Rights and access | Record rights holder, authorized requestors, distributor rights, and lab-access instructions | |
| Integrity method | Per-file SHA-256 or MHL with algorithm and tool version recorded | |
| Restore test | Restore one representative project, image sequence, audio file, and master from each storage tier | |
| Restore result | Date, source copy, destination, checksum comparison, missing dependencies, and reviewer |
Security and Access Specification
Defines who may view, copy, publish, or release production assets.
Editable templates: Word · Excel · CSV
Document control
Use the subject code SECURITY-ACCESS.
- Show: ________
- Spec ID / Revision: ________
- Issued / Effective / Supersedes: ________
- Prepared by / Approved by: ________
- Issued to: ________
- Acknowledgment record / Authoritative location: ________
| Field | Recommended default | Production value |
|---|---|---|
| Authorized requestors | Named people, roles, verified contacts, permission scope, start date, and end date | |
| Asset custodian | Named person or facility responsible for each physical and digital copy | |
| Release authority | Producer or another person named in a signed lab-access letter | |
| Transfer platform | Frame.io for review and a production-approved high-speed transfer service for full-quality media | |
| Access rule | Give each person access only to the material required for assigned work | |
| Account rule | Individual accounts with multifactor authentication. No shared passwords. | |
| Link policy | Password, expiration, download permission, recipient list, and visible or forensic watermarking as required | |
| Screener watermark | Project, recipient, and unique identifier when disclosure risk requires it | |
| Local storage | Encrypted storage for portable media and approved artist workstations | |
| Review-platform retention | Export notes and approvals, then delete or archive media on the recorded date | |
| Vendor closeout | Revoke access, collect contracted project files and elements, confirm deletion or retention, and record exceptions before final payment | |
| Incident contact | Named production contact and notification procedure |
Asset and Delivery Manifest Specification
Defines the file-level inventory and integrity record for a delivery.
Editable templates: Word · Excel · CSV
Document control
Use the subject code MANIFEST.
- Show: ________
- Spec ID / Revision: ________
- Issued / Effective / Supersedes: ________
- Prepared by / Approved by: ________
- Issued to: ________
- Acknowledgment record / Authoritative location: ________
| Field | Recommended default | Production value |
|---|---|---|
| Production asset ID | Stable ID assigned by production | |
| Identifier scope | Production asset register or named authority | |
| Recipient asset ID | Record when assigned. Do not replace the production ID. | |
| Revision | v### |
|
| Source vendor revision | Record separately when supplied | |
| Variant | Original, textless, localized, censored, alternate, or another named purpose | |
| Representation | Format, raster, color encoding, language, or another technical form | |
| State | Use only the controlled vocabulary on this page | |
| Asset class and purpose | Picture master, VFX final, audio stem, timed text, project, or another named class | |
| Filename or relative path | One row per file for integrity verification | |
| Byte size | Exact integer for each file | |
| Checksum and algorithm | SHA-256 by default. Use the recipient's required method when supplied. | |
| File-set manifest | Per-file hashes or MHL for an image sequence or package | |
| Derived from | Source asset ID and revision | |
| Source timing | Source clip and timecode or source frame range | |
| Record timing | Timeline timecode or delivery frame range | |
| Language and territory | BCP 47 language tag and named territory where applicable | |
| Technical properties | Picture, audio, timed-text, project, or package properties required to interpret the file | |
| Package or composition ID | Package ID, CPL UUID, or Not applicable | |
| Creator and creation date | Person or vendor and ISO date and time | |
| Change reason | Concise description of the change | |
| Approver and approval date | Named person and ISO date and time | |
| Delivered to and sent date | Named recipient, delivery ID, and date | |
| Received by and received date | Named recipient contact and date | |
| Acceptance state | Accepted, rejected, or accepted with listed exceptions | |
| Storage location | Production-controlled copy location after delivery | |
| Access classification | Public, production, confidential, restricted, or another defined class | |
| Retention | Deletion or migration date and responsible custodian |
After a published asset is delivered and hashed, do not replace its media under the same asset ID and revision. Publish a new revision and manifest.
Cross-Specification Checks
Repeated fields must agree. Issue affected revisions and repeat tests after a correction.
Editable templates: Word · Excel · CSV
| Compare | Required agreement | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Image pipeline and dailies | Camera input, CDL, creative transform, viewing transform, framing, and timebase | Approved dailies test |
| Image pipeline and mastering | Creative transform, viewing transform used for approval, output transform for each master, color target, and derivation order | Approved output-transform test and mastering record |
| Image pipeline and VFX plates | Color encoding, raster, extraction, de-squeeze, windows, negatives, NaN, and infinity policies | Approved plate test |
| Dailies and review media | Rec.709 / BT.1886 encoding, 1-1-1 color tags, viewing transform, framing, timebase, and audio reference |
Approved proxy-to-review comparison |
| VFX plates and final renders | Frame mapping, raster, pixel aspect, distortion state, color encoding, and handle rule | Approved round trip |
| VFX finals and review media | Revision, frame range, timecode, framing, and viewing transform | EXR correspondence test |
| Editorial and DI turnover | Cut ID, source identity, effects, timing, framing, VFX revisions, and guide audio | Zero-frame conform check |
| DI and mastering | Approved picture and sound IDs, frame rate, raster, aspect ratio, color target, text state, and lineage | Mastering manifest and playback QC |
| Mastering and archive | Every approved master, project, dependency, manifest, and QC record included in the preservation scope | Restore test |
Conformance Test Record
The conformance record proves that delivered files follow the specification.
Editable templates: Word · Excel · CSV
| Test | Required record | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Camera and dailies | Test clip, decode, proxy, metadata, relink, sync, display, reviewers, and date | |
| VFX round trip | Plate ID, final ID, hashes, frame mapping, image difference, transforms, reviewers, and date | |
| Review correspondence | QuickTime and EXR IDs, frame ranges, timecode, color comparison, reviewer, and date | |
| DI conform | Cut ID, conform-check revision, method, discrepancy list, corrected result, reviewer, and date | |
| Mastering | Source IDs, output IDs, validation reports, playback QC, exceptions, acceptance, and date | |
| Archive restore | Copy location, restored assets, checksum result, missing dependencies, reviewer, and date |