What are Dailies in Film?

Dailies is a term that you may have heard. Especially if you’ve ever worked in film editing or on the film set. If you’ve never heard the term, you’ll hear it eventually if you’re to have a career in film. But what are dailies in film and what is the purpose of the daily? As we outline the role of dailies, and how they help films to remain productively efficient. We also answer the common question, “What are dailies in film?”

What are Dailies in Film?

Dailies in film are represented by the raw, never before edited, footage that was shot during the day on the set or in the studio. Each day, at the end of the shoot, the dailies are collected and organized for editing later on. 

Dailies are sometimes called rushes or they may be referred to as, “Sweat box sessions.” These terms are more common in animation studios than they are on the set, though.

A Whole Day’s Worth of Filming

The term dailies may seem silly, or too simple. Because it really is rather simplistic. They also may be incredibly boring to watch because they are uncut, unedited, raw.

If you’ve ever watched a set of dailies, you know that you’ve watched a long, drawn out performance that has not been edited at all in any way.

The performance may even be the same, over and over again. That’s because this is what a day in filmmaking looks like, and dailies are literally — a day of filmmaking.

Who Uses Dailies in Film?

Dailies are used by many individuals throughout the film industry. You might think they are just for the editor, but they aren’t. The dailies are used by the director, cinematographer, producer, actor and the editors. How?

Many of these individuals watch the dailies to see how they did. The Director or Producer might watch to see if the lighting is right.

Or if other aesthetics of the film are up to standard. They may watch so that they can get a feel for the underlying elements of each of the individuals working the set are in line.

An Important Part of Production

Watching dailies in film is something that many choose to do so that they can make sure they’re on the right track and succeeding with what they set out to achieve.

Sometimes, after watching the dailies, a group will figure out what they are missing. And what they need to do to perfect a shot or scene. 

As you can see, dailies are important in the film world. They represent the raw, unedited footage from the film shot day. They are used for a variety of reasons.

And at the end, the best shot dailies are used to produce the rough cut that will ultimately make its way to the big screen after many adjustments and edits. But it all starts with the dailies.