Simplified Color Prep Guide

Honest Labor

    • 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