TURNOVER FOR COLOR
XML AND BAKED WORKFLOWS
(We pick just one of these workflows generally, not both unless otherwise specified for the turnover)
XML Workflow
Please provide:
An XML file
An h.264 offline reference file (.mp4 or .mov)
All media files via hard drive shipment or delivered via cloud storage. We have a multi-gigabit connection that can download 100GB in about 10 minutes.
Exporting an XML from Premiere:
Make a copy of your locked creative timeline, call it “whateveritscalled_4color”
When possible, please flatten this new _4color timeline to minimal video tracks, remove unused footage and remove all audio.
In the case of multi-track video, picture-in-picture, split-screens, etc - it’s ok to leave footage on original video tracks necessary for the edit.
We ask that all Nested Sequences get either: decomposed in place, or baked out (see “ProRes ‘BAKED’ Workflow” for details)
delete the empty audio/video tracks.
Export the XML file
File > Export > Final Cut Pro XML
here’s a perfectly flattened timeline… if necessary to the edit, you may need to keep more than 1 video track which is fine.
ProRes “BAKED” Workflow
Please provide:
Baked ProRes422HQ or ProRes4444 file (based on the camera’s chroma subsampling)
alt codec options include AVID DNxHR, GoPro Cineform if on a PC
An H.264 offline reference file.
An EDL of the timeline
Exporting the video file from Premiere:
Ensure all media is linked to camera original / highest quality (no proxies)
Make a copy of your locked creative timeline, call it “whateveritscalled_4color”
Remove all temp color & LUTs (For Premiere 2021 and Higher, Adobe has moved LUT application from “master clip effects” to “interpret footage.” the GIF below illustrates where you can now find that.)
How to remove LUTs from footage in Premiere.
Remove all superimposed text/titles (you will lay these back over the eventual colored file.)
Remove any dips to black (to prevent quantization/banding, these will be recreated after color.)
If applicable, it is OK to bake in letterbox black, we will re-matte the letterbox so they aren't polluted with any color adjustments
Export the video file, a couple important boxes to tick in the “video” export tab for Premiere users:
Use Maximum Depth
Use Maximum Render Quality
Export an EDL of the timeline which will be used to re-slice the timeline
TURNOVER FOR SOUND (AAF preferred)
Please provide an AAF or OMF (AAF is preferred)
FILE TYPE Wav or Aiff
SAMPLE RATE 48k - 192k
BIT DEPTH 16 bit or 24 bit
TURNOVER FORMAT AAF or OMF (include complete audio files unless file size will be a burden to upload, in that case 10 second / 240 frame handles will be acceptable)
VIDEO REFERENCE FORMAT QuickTime MOV (H264 preferred)
ADOBE PREMIERE 11 AND HIGHER
ADOBE PREMIERE 10 AND LOWER
(Advanced Workflows)
TRIMMING MEDIA USING RESOLVE’S MEDIA MANAGEMENT
This step in the workflow can be useful for trimming only the required media before sending to color. This usually allows for an XML workflow to be done without the shipment of a physical hard drive, on average something like a 90% saving in data size. It involves using the free version of Resolve. Even if you’ve never used Resolve, it’s a relatively painless process, 10-15 minutes, to walk through the steps outlined below.
First, follow the XML workflow instructions at the top of this page, you are effectively turning over to yourself.
Download and install the free version of Davinci Resolve here.
Create a New Project, name it something relevant.
Select the “Media” tab at the bottom of the screen
Right click in red-outlined area
Timeline > Import > AAF/EDL/XML
Locate and Open the XML file.
Select “Ignore file extensions when matching”
Use the dialogue to locate the original footage (pointing to the root directory that contains all NON-PROXY media
To Trim Media
File > Media Management
Select ENTIRE PROJECT > COPY > BROWSE to select a location of media destination (create new folder “Trims”)
Select “Copy and trim used media keeping ‘24’ frame handles”
Select “Relink to new files”
Select “Start” to trim media
Upload resulting “Trims” directory as part of your turnover.
In the example above, file size goes from 1.32TB to 33.8 GB. less than 1% of the original size and now easily upload-able with no trips to FedEx required!