Video Editing and Post-Production Workflows
This domain tests the post-production pipeline and timeline craft. Expect questions on ingest, proxies, picture lock, colour correction versus grading, and export settings.
The workflow
- Ingest and verify media; back up originals.
- Organise bins, metadata, sync audio.
- Proxy/transcode if needed for smooth editing.
- Assembly in script order.
- Rough cut for structure and story.
- Fine cut for rhythm, transitions and detail.
- Picture lock freezes timing.
- Sound, colour, graphics, titles.
- Export and QC at delivery specs.
Timeline vocabulary
Sequences, tracks, razor/cut, ripple delete, slip and slide, J-cut and L-cut, transitions, keyframes. Colour correction fixes exposure and balance; grading creates a look. A LUT is a lookup table, not a magic fix for bad exposure.
Worked example
A 4K 25 fps project for a 1080p 25 fps online delivery. Create proxies for the 4K originals, edit in a 1080p 25 fps sequence, lock picture, then grade and mix. Export H.264 MP4 at 1080p25 with matching audio. Reasoning: editing with proxies protects performance; the sequence setting, not the source, defines the deliverable.
Traps that cost marks
- Editing before organising and backing up.
- Changing picture after sound and colour are finished.
- Confusing correction with grading.
- Exporting at the wrong frame rate or aspect ratio.
- Assuming a LUT fixes exposure.