Video Footage Preparation Checklist

Inventory the recordings

Keep camera originals intact. Create a manifest that identifies project, recording date, camera or speaker, take and any known issue. If audio was recorded separately, state which track belongs to which camera session. Do not rename only one half of a synchronized pair.

• Open every source file and confirm it plays.
• Check that the beginning and ending are present.
• Include separate microphone tracks and a reference mix if available.
• Mark restarts, dropouts, preferred takes and corrections.

Separate assets by purpose

Use folders such as Camera, Audio, Screens, Approved graphics and References. Keep inspiration separate from material licensed for the production. Add a simple rights note for music, stock footage and creator content, including the intended use and any expiry.

• Supply the correct logo version and brand colours.
• Include font files only where sharing is permitted.
• Attach approved product names, speaker spellings and claims.
• Identify private or off-record material before editing begins.

Test access from the editor's position

A link that opens for the owner can still be inaccessible to a collaborator. Test it from an account without owner privileges and confirm whether downloading is allowed. Keep passwords or sensitive access instructions in the agreed private channel. Do not publish credentials in the brief.

• Confirm the full upload has completed.
• Check file counts against the manifest.
• Test a representative large file download.
• Ask for receipt confirmation and keep your own backup.

Include a useful handoff note

State the audience, outputs, review owner and deadline dependencies. Explain whether the editor should select the story or follow supplied timecodes. A practical note might say: camera B restarts halfway through; use the separate microphone track; the product name changed after recording; remove the customer dashboard at the marked timecode. These specifics prevent avoidable guessing.

Explore the existing editing portfolio

Review genuine client edits for pacing, sound design, color grading, and visual retention. Review our real project samples below:

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Before you brief

Useful questions

Keep the project moving

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