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Dailies Processing

1. Purpose

This SOP outlines the standardized process F7 Studios follows for dailies—ensuring footage captured on set is successfully processed, reviewed, and delivered to editorial and post-production teams. It aims to minimize risk, preserve creative intent, and establish consistency across all F7 productions.

 

2. Importance of Dailies at F7 Studios

Dailies serve as the first checkpoint in validating a production’s visual and audio integrity. They are used by key creatives—directors, producers, editors, cinematographers—to evaluate technical execution and make informed creative decisions.

 

Poorly executed dailies can delay post-production, result in re-shoots, and increase overall project cost. At F7 Studios, we mitigate these risks through meticulous planning, workflow alignment, and adherence to best practices from pre-production through post.

3. Dailies: A Cross-Departmental Process

Successful dailies at F7 Studios rely on collaboration between multiple departments:

Involved Departments & Key Responsibilities

Camera: Framing charts, metadata capture, timecode sync

Sound: Accurate logs, timecode, clean audio files

DIT: Media management, LUT/CDL application, checksum

Editorial: Review specifications, naming conventions

VFX/Final Color: Color pipeline compatibility, metadata handoff

F7 Dailies Team: Ingest, process, QC, render, report, deliverables

​4. Project Startup & Pre-Production

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4.1 Workflow Meetings

 

Workflow meetings must occur during pre-production with representatives from all key departments. These meetings align the technical and logistical expectations of the shoot.

 

Attendees should include:

  • Cinematographer (DP)

  • Editor / Post Supervisor

  • DIT (On-set/Near-set)

  • Sound Mixer

  • VFX & Final Color Representatives

  • F7 Studios Dailies Lead

 

4.2 Workflow Memo

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The workflow memo consolidates all key technical decisions. It must be drafted and circulated to all departments before principal photography begins.

Key Elements of the Workflow Memo

Camera Model & Settings

Image Resolution / Aspect Ratio / Framing

Base Frame Rate / Audio Sample Rate

Color Management Plan (LUTs/CDLs)

Data Management & Offload Procedures

Editorial Deliverables (Codec, Frame Rate, Burn-ins)

Review Platform Specifications

File Naming & Folder Structures

 

5. Technical Prep

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5.1 Color Management

Color pipelines must be defined and agreed upon. F7 Studios will apply only primary grade corrections (LUTs, CDLs). Secondary color data (e.g., tracking, power windows) is not guaranteed to carry over and should not be relied upon in dailies processing.

 

5.2 Monitor Setup & Calibration

All monitors used on-set and in dailies must be calibrated against a designated “truth” monitor to ensure accurate reproduction of image intent across stages.

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5.3 Framing Charts

The camera department must capture a framing chart using intended sensor/lens pairings. These must be delivered to Editorial, Final Color, and the Dailies Team.

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5.4 Timecode Synchronization

The camera and sound teams must test and verify that the selected timecode sync system (smart slate, jam box) works seamlessly across all cameras and audio devices.

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5.5 Drive Handoff & Card Clearance

F7 Studios will coordinate with the on-set loader or DIT to confirm:

  • Checksum method (MD5, XXHASH, etc.)

  • Card clearance policy

  • Handoff schedule and structure

  • Naming conventions

 

6. Editorial & Creative Review Deliverables

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Element & Specification Captured in Workflow Memo

File Codec & Resolution: e.g., ProRes 422 HQ, H.264, etc.

Frame Rate: Native, Off-speed strategy

Framing: Referenced from Framing Charts

Burn-ins: Type, Position, Content

Shot Naming/Bin: StructureDetailed by Editorial

Delivery Method: Frame.io, PIX, Hard Drive, SFTP, etc.

 

F7 Studios ensures all deliverables meet the approved specifications before publishing or transferring.

 

7. Pipeline Testing

 

Prior to Day 1 of production, F7 Studios will conduct a full dailies pipeline test:

 

Elements Tested & Purpose

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Original Camera & Audio Files: Confirm ingest, sync, and playback

Framing Chart Application: Validate image scaling/mapping

Editorial & Review Deliverables: QC burn-ins, metadata, and playback functionality

Metadata Transfer: Ensure continuity from set to editorial

Storage/Delivery Systems: Test platform accessibility and folder structure

 

All departments sign off before the dailies pipeline is approved.

 

8. Dailies Processing Workflow

 

Overview of Dailies Stage

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Step  & Description

Ingest & Verify Media: Copy, verify (checksum), inspect image/audio, cross-reference reports

Process in Software: Sync audio, apply color, embed metadata

Technical QC: Review for image/audio issues, framing, color accuracy

Render Deliverables: Output editorial and review files per spec

End-of-Day Report: Summarize completion, issues, and updates to Production

 

8.1 Ingest & Verification

  • All assets must be ingested and verified using approved checksum tools.

  • Operators will cross-check footage against camera, sound, and script reports.

  • Any missing or corrupt media will be flagged immediately to Production and noted in the end-of-day report.

 

Non-Standard Media Handling

When off-spec media is received (e.g., from iPhones, GoPros, or unplanned formats), F7 Studios will:

  1. Transcode footage into intermediate files matching workflow specs.

  2. Backup intermediates alongside original media.

  3. Use intermediates as new master files for all downstream processing.

 

Intermediate File Standards

Color SpaceTransfer FunctionBit-DepthRecommended Format

Scene-Referred (Log)Logarithmic>10-bit16-bit DPX

Scene-Referred (Log)Logarithmic≤10-bit10-bit DPX

LinearLinear≥10-bit16-bit OpenEXR (.exr)

Display Referred2.4 / PQ≤10-bitQuickTime ProRes 4444

 

8.2 Processing Media

  • Image mapping must follow framing charts and editorial guidelines.

  • Timecode-based audio sync is performed; manual sync is used when needed.

  • Metadata such as Timecode, Tape Name, Color Data, and Camera Notes is embedded in ALEs/AAFs.

 

8.3 Technical QC

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All processed footage must be reviewed in a calibrated, darkened environment.

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  • QC Focus AreasChecks Performed

  • ImageBanding, tearing, unwanted elements in frame

  • SoundNoise, RF interference, sync drift, corruption

  • MetadataAccurate header info, naming conventions, timecode range

  • Issues must be noted in metadata and communicated in the end-of-day email.

 

9. Rendering & Delivering Dailies

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9.1 Editorial Deliverables

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  • Included Assets

  • Editorial Proxy Files

  • Original Audio Files

  • ALE, AAF, or XML files

  • Synced Editorial Bins or Projects

  • Reports (Camera, Sound, Script, QC)

  • All files are QCed before delivery.

 

9.2 Creative Review Files

  • Uploaded to the designated platform (Frame.io, PIX, etc.)

  • Organized and reviewed for playback performance

 

10. End-of-Day Report

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The Dailies Operator will issue a report by the end of each production day, including:

  • Contents of Report

  • Backup verification

  • Asset delivery status

  • Any missing or problematic media

  • Technical issues and QC notes

  • Attached daily reports from set (Camera, Sound, etc)

 

11. Support from F7 Studios

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F7 Studios provides comprehensive support in designing, executing, and troubleshooting your production’s dailies pipeline. For questions or adjustments to your workflow, please contact your assigned F7 Studios Producer or Post Supervisor.

 

Approval and Revision History

  • Effective Date: Jan 1 2025

  • Approved by: CEO, F7 Studios

  • Last Reviewed: April 4 2025

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