Sample Film Post Production Schedule & What to Expect in Post

When you finally get to the point where you’re nearing the finish line with your film, post production schedule issues are bound to arise. In fact, this is the time crunch when budgeting and staying focused is bound to become a multi-part series, but it’s also the time when all the hard work comes together and the finished piece is ready to shine. In this sample film post production schedule we’re going to outline exactly what to expect in post production as the finish line for your film project nears closer and closer.

Elements of a Film Post Production Schedule

First, let’s take a look at the key elements of the post production schedule — the timeline of events. The schedule will actually date back to when the film shoot begins and will focus heavily on the completion deadline for the project.

Both dates come into play as you define a plan to complete the post production video editing services that are required for a complete and finished film project.

While many film producers are operating on shorter pre-production schedules and taking less and less time in production shooting footage, post production is often the bottleneck where schedules or predefined timelines of completion are often mistaken.

Depending on the details of the project and individual needs, post production scheduling may require extensively longer than the pre-production and production counterparts–it’s just how things go.

So what goes into the film post production schedule, actually? A combination of planning the entire workflow for post production editing, with special care for sound editing, special effects and graphics, as well as key color corrections that will take place within the appropriate budget and inside the timeline of completion for the project to be delivered before deadline. The idea here — schedule first, budget next!

Common categories to include in the post production schedule include timelines for:

• Editing
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• Color correction
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• Sound editing
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• Scoring
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• Foley
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• ADR
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• Delivery

Producing the Production Calendar Schedule

Using a production calendar, all of the steps and stages of post production are outlined such that working parts can take place in tandem and alongside one another whenever possible. This creates the most feasible post production video editing schedule and allows for the fastest completion of works in progress.

While you may not think much about scheduling for smaller films, major blockbusters can have several years of post production editing work involved and therefore MUST be outlined on a production timeline with a calendar in place in order to stay on track and focused over the years.

A film would never reach the finish line without a post production schedule and calendar, otherwise.

Placing all of the working parts of post production into a calendar schedule frees up time that it would otherwise take to follow-up and make sure each crew or person working on the project is on task.

Sound editors can quickly and easily look at the schedule and see when they are expected to have their audio tracks finalized, and visual effects editors will know when their work is expected to be done, too.

Likewise, the post production editor or manager can quickly and easily see where each element of the project stands and whether completion deadlines are being met along the way–it’s a logistics dream!

Defining the Post Production Workflow

The post production workflow will consist of efficiently scheduled and managed post production tasks that align with the final delivery deadline outlined in your original project proposal.

The post production workflow, assuming you remained on task through pre-production and production, should revolve around your use of a digital storyboard and shot list that is used to define the next stages of procuring the story and finalizing the working parts of your film.

At this time, the editor should be focusing on finalizing the edit that will be used to compile the finished project for delivery.

An undistracted post production editor will ensure the most organized and efficient post production workflow which, despite any potential bumps along the way or hurdles in production, will result in meeting completion deadlines and getting the finished film in front of the intended audience, on time.

Need help with your film post production schedule or the entire process of editing and finalizing your project for delivery to your audience? Give Beverly Boy Productions a call at 888-462-7808. We’ll help you establish and maintain a film post production schedule that will lead to on-time delivery of top quality film projects that exceed audience expectations. With more than two decades of experience in post production editing, Team Beverly Boy cannot wait to help you out!