Simplified Color Prep Guide
Honest Labor
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Flatten your timeline to a single video track.
Remove effects, transitions, graphics, and audio.
Extend shot lengths to cover removed transitions.
Decompose nested or multicam clips.
Relink all clips to original camera media (no proxies).
Export an XML or AAF from the cleaned timeline (including backup EDLs if possible).
Why this matters:
A clean timeline ensures nothing gets missed during conform and speeds up the grading process. -
Deliver the original camera files on a duplicate drive or upload them online.
Why this matters:
rading from original camera files preserves the highest possible image quality. -
Export a frame-accurate QuickTime matching the XML/AAF timeline exactly.
Burn in source clip names and source clip timecodes. (Timeline names or timeline timecodes are not acceptable.)
ProRes 422 or H.264, 1920x1080 preferred.
Why this matters:
Burn-ins allow us to troubleshoot and manually relink quickly without having to stop your session or chase down missing files. -
Send a QuickTime matching your final approved cut.
Include all graphics, audio, VFX, titles, and baked-in dailies color.
Why this matters:
This shows us what the final cut is meant to look like and provides context for the creative direction based on what the client has been seeing.
Deadline:
Please deliver all prep by 4:00 p.m. ET the business day before your session to avoid delays or rush charges.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid:
Exporting an XML/AAF from an unclean timeline (extra tracks, unused clips, layered audio).
Missing or incorrect burn-in on the "FOR COLOR" QuickTime.
"FOR COLOR" QuickTime that doesn’t match the XML/AAF frame-for-frame.
Need Help?
We're here to make prep simple.
Email us: nicole@honestlabor.com