A locked cut is a critical stage in film or video post-production. It signifies the point where the picture edit is finalized, and no further changes are planned for the visual sequence of the project.
As defined by the reference, a locked cut is:
The so-called final cut of a film when there are to be no more changes to picture.
Essentially, this is the version of the movie or show that the editorial team considers complete in terms of pacing, structure, and the sequence of shots. Once the picture is "locked," the production can confidently move forward with other specialized post-production tasks that rely on the picture edit remaining stable.
Why is a Cut Locked?
Locking the picture cut is necessary because several other departments' work depends entirely on the final visual timeline. Making changes to the picture after these departments have started would be incredibly costly and time-consuming.
Key post-production stages that rely on a locked picture cut include:
- Sound Design and Mixing: Sound effects, ambient sounds, and dialogue are precisely timed and placed relative to the picture. Changing the edit means re-timing and re-mixing audio.
- Music Composition and Editing: Music is often composed and edited to fit specific visual cues or durations within scenes.
- Color Grading: The final color correction and styling of the image are applied to the specific sequence and length of shots in the locked cut.
- Visual Effects (VFX): VFX shots are rendered for specific frame ranges within the edit. Any change requires re-rendering, which can be very expensive.
The Process After Locking
Once the picture is locked, an Edit Decision List (EDL) or an XML file is typically generated. These files contain precise information about the order and duration of every shot in the locked sequence. This data is then handed off to the sound mixers, colorists, VFX artists, and composers.
Implications of Locking
- Commitment: Locking the cut represents a significant commitment from the director, editor, and producers to this specific version of the film's visual story.
- Efficiency: It allows post-production workflows to become highly efficient, as teams can work simultaneously on different aspects (sound, color, VFX) knowing the foundation is stable.
- Cost: Avoids costly rework. Reworking sound mixes, VFX shots, or color grades due to picture changes can quickly exhaust a project's budget and timeline.
In summary, the locked cut is the stable cornerstone of the post-production pipeline, freezing the visual edit so that the intricate layers of sound, music, color, and effects can be built upon a final, unchanging picture foundation.
