SOFTLINK — DOCUMENTARY EDITING WORKFLOW CHECKLIST
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Version 1.1 | Softlink Editorial Team
Free for personal and commercial use

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PRE-PRODUCTION & PLANNING
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□ Define the story — What is the central question or conflict?
□ Create a shot list or B-roll plan
□ Plan interview questions and filming environment
□ Confirm audio recording equipment and backup recording
□ Organize release forms and permissions
□ Set deliverable specifications with client or platform

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PHASE 1: FOOTAGE INGESTION
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□ Copy all footage to primary drive + backup drive (never edit from camera card)
□ Verify all files copied successfully (check counts and spot-check playback)
□ Organize footage in project folder structure:
   /[Project Name]/
   ├── Footage/
   │   ├── Interview/
   │   ├── B-Roll/
   │   ├── Archival/
   │   └── Graphics/
   ├── Audio/
   ├── Music/
   ├── Project Files/
   ├── Exports/
   └── Documents/
□ Rename folders with dates or shoot descriptors
□ Back up project folder before beginning edit

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PHASE 2: LOGGING AND SELECTS
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□ Watch all interview footage — note timecodes of key quotes
□ Create a selects sequence or bin with best interview clips
□ Log B-roll: categorize by subject, location, action
□ Note any unusable footage (focus, exposure, audio issues)
□ Transcribe key interview sections (or use auto-transcription tools, verify accuracy)
□ Create paper edit or rough script from transcription selects

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PHASE 3: ASSEMBLY CUT
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□ Lay in selected interview audio in story order
□ Add B-roll selects as media to review
□ Build story structure:
   □ Opening hook (30–60 seconds that captures attention)
   □ Context establishment
   □ Central conflict or argument development
   □ Evidence and supporting stories
   □ Resolution or conclusion
□ Don't fine-cut — focus on story arc only at this stage
□ Export for review if stakeholder input is needed at this stage

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PHASE 4: ROUGH CUT
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□ Cut interview to remove stumbles, repeated phrases, filler (use carefully)
□ Cover interview cuts with B-roll
□ Build consistent pacing with music bed or ambient audio
□ Temp music and ambient sound for pacing reference
□ Add archival footage, graphics, maps where needed
□ Check story flow — watch from start to finish without stopping
□ Time check against target length

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PHASE 5: PICTURE LOCK
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□ Fine-cut all interview footage
□ Finalize all B-roll coverage
□ Cut all graphics and titles
□ Check all transitions for smoothness
□ Final story review — share with director/client for approval
□ Note: After picture lock, do NOT move clips or change sequence length

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PHASE 6: AUDIO MIX
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□ Clean all dialogue tracks (noise reduction, eq, compression)
□ Normalize dialogue loudness (-12 to -15 LUFS integrated for online / -23 LUFS for broadcast)
□ Balance music bed under dialogue (typical -20 to -30 dB under speech)
□ Add room tone cuts between interview clips to prevent dead silence
□ Add natural sound/ambient audio from B-roll
□ Mix sound effects for impact moments
□ Final listen from start to finish on different speakers (laptop, headphones, phone)
□ Check stereo mix and mono compatibility

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PHASE 7: COLOR GRADING
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□ Check all clips for consistent exposure before grading
□ Primary color correction: white balance, exposure, contrast
□ Secondary grading: apply consistent look across timeline
□ Color match B-roll to interview (or intentionally differentiate archival)
□ Skin tone check on all interview subjects
□ Check output color space against delivery requirements

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PHASE 8: GRAPHICS AND TITLES
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□ Lower thirds: subject name, title (follow organization's style guide)
□ Location titles and dates if needed
□ Opening title card
□ End credits
□ Any data visualizations or maps
□ Check spelling on ALL text elements
□ Check text legibility at delivery resolution

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PHASE 9: QC AND EXPORT
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□ Watch the entire edit from start to finish one more time
□ Check audio levels — no clipping, no silent sections
□ Check for black frames, dropped frames, timeline gaps
□ Verify frame rate and resolution match delivery spec
□ Verify aspect ratio correct
□ Check captions/subtitles if required
□ Export master file (ProRes 422 HQ or H.264 high bitrate)
□ Export delivery files per platform requirements
□ QC exported files — play through on media player

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PHASE 10: DELIVERY AND ARCHIVAL
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□ Confirm delivery format with client
□ Upload or deliver files
□ Archive project files, original footage, and exports
□ Document project settings and version history

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CREDITS
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Softlink Editorial Team
Free for personal and commercial use. Not for redistribution on other asset platforms.