Please follow these guidelines closely for delivery of your film.  

  1. Confirm whether or not the edit is locked.

  2. State your intended delivery format (web, tv, film) and audio format (Stereo, surround or otherwise specified).

  3. Confirm with us wether or not to export reels.

 Video specs: 

  • DNxHD 36 (NOT DNxHR) 
  • The video file should be accompanied by a single stereo guide track. 
  • Use timecode 01:00:00:00 as first frame of action (FFOA) 
  • Make sure the video has timecode burn-in as well as scene and take info.  
  • Use a counting leader with a twopop, 2 seconds before FFOA 
  • Clearly define LFOA 
  • Name the video file with a clear dated naming convention that stays consistent between versions. (MyMovie_EditState_V01_YYYYMMDD) 
  • Reference video should not be exported with extreme HDR or high-contrast grading.

Sound specs: 

  • Export an AAF file (see guide below) with all audio tracks included without any effects enabled (not an OMF or OMX file) 
  • All sound reports from set 
  • A copy of all recorded audio for the project 
  • A cue sheet for all music/score with a licensing status 

EDLs Specs (Edit Decision Lists): 

  • Export EDLs in CMX3600 format for all used video tracks on the timeline, every time a new video file is delivered (This includes the first version you send us). We use matchbox for reconforming so this is required.  
  • Name the EDLs with the same numbering and date scheme as the video file it accompanies. 

 

 

AAF Export Guide

Here is a default overview of the settings for your AAF export in Premiere Pro.


  • Make sure the correct timeline is selected 
  • Choose File > Export > AAF 
  • Store the AAF on a local harddrive and note that all audio files will be saved in a subfolder called “AAF Media”. We will need both the AAF file and this subfolder. 
  • Make sure to always export in 48000/24Bit 
     
  • Please include all production audio tracks (boom, lavs, isos, ADR) in your AAF export. Do not consolidate or pre-mix your audio before export.

 

The following things will corrupt your AAF export (Premiere Pro will not give you an error if you export this incorrectly): 

  • Special characters in the clip, track or AAF file name like: /, <, >, ®, ü, Ø, Æ, Å 
  • Using merged clips on your timeline 
  • Nested sequences. Most of the time they don’t work 
  • If a clip has transitions at both the in and outpoints, the length of the clip itself must be longer than the combined length of the two transitions. 
  • Using embedded audio is not recommended. It won’t corrupt the AAF, but it will strip the files of their metadata, making it hard for us to identify the scene, take and sources recorded.  

  

 

Troubleshooting your AAF when it isn’t working: 

Sometimes the AAF file just doesn’t work even though all the guidelines have been followed. Then the best fix is to simplify your timeline: 

  • Locate your timeline in the bin > Right click > Duplicate  
  • Rename to (Projectname)_AAFcleanup  
  • In the new timeline remove all video tracks (remember to unlink from audio files first!). This should leave you with a sequence only with the audio tracks you want to export.  
  • Go over the audio clips in your sequence and look for unsupported characters like Æ, Ø, Å and rename the files in your sequence (not in the bin). If the names are not displayed on the audio clips in the sequence click the Wrench (Timeline Display Settings) > Show Audio Names.  
  • Export the cleaned timeline as a Final Cut XML sequence 
    File > Export > Final Cut Pro XML  
  • Import the Final Cut Pro XML file you just created back into the Premiere Pro Project. This gives you a simplified sequence, without Nested Clips or Merged Clips, if they were present.  
  • Rename this sequence (Projectname)AAF_Fixed, and follow the normal AAF export procedure as described above.