Final Delivery Checklist

UPDATED

Work through this checklist phase-by-phase before sending a turnover. Each section groups related items; skip what doesn’t apply to your project.

Phase 1 — Initial Project Setup

  • All media is relinked to original, high-resolution master files
  • File paths are consistent and correct
  • No offline clips or placeholder media in the final sequence

Media Management

  • All unused clips deleted from the timeline and project
  • Media managed / consolidated (if applicable for the delivery workflow)
  • Empty bins and orphaned sequences removed
  • No duplicate media with conflicting filenames

Track Organization

  • All tracks organized logically (see Track Layout)
  • All tracks labeled clearly
  • Unused tracks removed
  • Long-play / interview clips have edits added where color grading will need them (prep for color)

Phase 2 — Conform Process

  • Multicam sequences committed / flattened — see Committing Multicam
  • Compound clips / nested sequences flattened where appropriate
  • Thru edits checked and removed where unnecessary
  • Compositions verified (nested sequences integrate correctly, no broken links)
  • Optical fixes applied (transitions, dissolves, blending layers)
  • Mixed frame rates and motion effects handled correctly
  • Interlaced clips checked and deinterlaced if necessary
  • All markers and editorial notes reviewed and addressed
  • Confidence check completed against reference video

Phase 3 — Effects and Visual Adjustments

  • Stabilization verified (no artifacts introduced)
  • Speed ramps checked for smooth transitions and correct render
  • Strobing and banding inspected
  • Complex effects flattened to self-contained renders where translation is uncertain
  • Keyframed effects evaluated

Phase 4 — Archival, Stock, and VFX Conform

  • All archival footage conformed to master sources
  • All stock footage conformed to licensed masters
  • All VFX shots conformed, rendered, and matching creative intent
  • VFX version numbers match breakdown document
  • License clearances documented

Phase 5 — Titles, Text, and Graphics

  • Titles and chyrons recreated in final quality
  • Intro titles checked for placement and timing
  • End credits reviewed for accuracy, alignment, and timing
  • Logos placed, sized, and compliant with branding guidelines
  • Captions and subtitles accurate, timed, and correctly burned in (if required)

Phase 6 — Markers and Color-Coding

Marker Colors (standard legend)

  • 🔴 Red — flagged issues addressed
  • 🟢 Green — color notes reviewed
  • 🩷 Pink — editorial to-dos resolved
  • 🟣 Purple — WIP items finalized
  • ⚪ White — conform notes addressed
  • 🔵 Blue — AE questions answered
  • 🟤 Brown — VFX exports completed
  • 🟡 Yellow — GFX placeholders replaced

Clip Color-Coding

  • Compositions set to pink clip color for easy identification
  • Project-specific color-coding applied (vendor clips, animation clips, stylized shots, etc.)

Phase 7 — Finishing Stages

  • Timeline reviewed for any ungraded clips
  • Slate updated with correct project info, version, and date
  • Bars, tone, Academy Leader, 2-pop, and tail pop all in place
  • Output blanking applied correctly (if required)
  • Timeline checked for duplicate frames or clips
  • Total Runtime on slate matches actual duration

Phase 8 — Final Review and Delivery

  • Yellow-background (or spec-defined) placeholder applied to any transparent or attention areas
  • Final confidence check against reference video complete
  • All technical specifications match delivery spec
  • Final master file exported with all burn-ins, audio, and elements intact
  • Export settings double-checked against delivery spec
  • File naming matches convention
  • Checksums generated (if delivering via drive or long-distance transfer)
  • Delivery package organized into numbered folders
  • README / manifest file included
  • Project archived (media, sequences, deliverables) to long-term storage

Always Remember

  • Version Control: keep track of versions, always work with the most up-to-date sequence
  • Communication: maintain clear contact with editorial and post-production through the conform
  • Backup Uncommitted: keep a pre-commit sequence in case edits reopen
  • Document Everything: markers, notes, manifests — all future-you will thank you