Directing the Documentary, 5th Edition

Chapter 15Editing: From Fine Cut to Sound Mix

The Fine Cut

With typical caution, filmmakers call the end result of the editing process the fine, not the final, cut, since there may still be minor changes and accommodations. Some of these arise out of laying music or other sound tracks in preparation for locking the picture ready to make a master mixed sound track.

Check All Source Material

Before picture lock, review all dailies to make sure you’ve overlooked nothing useful. This is tedious and time consuming, but almost invariably there will be some “Eureka!” discoveries by way of compensation. If there aren’t, you can rest easy.

If you haven’t ...