We all have worked on projects and encountered hiccups down the line. Whether it was by yourself, or it was with a team, it is important to understand the importance of workflow and pipeline, on how it is applied. There is no right or wrong answer, however, there is always a better alternative. At the end of the day, communication is key.
A workflow is an artist’s methodology on editing using the tools they have, and each artist’s workflow can be different as they pass their work down the pipeline. The pipeline is often how things travel between departments - asset check, sending to color, to VFX, to audio engineer, etc. By communicating between the different departments, an appropriate workflow is created amongst the artists involved in the respective departments.
So, why is post production workflow important, and how does it tie in together with the pipeline? Oftentimes, we are excited to jump onto the computer and edit the footage. But take a step back, and draw out the entire scope of work. That means draw out all the things that may happen during the course of the project. This helps not only you, but also the all teams involved to make the process smooth for everyone. What that means is it could save you time, and time is money.
With proper planning and organization, the editor and all teams involved can have a smoother experience, a clearer picture of what needs to be done, and where you are in the edit.