Step 1: Timeline Prep

Before delivering your assets, it's crucial to ensure that your timeline is properly organized and formatted for our audio system.

• Duplicate your timeline. Name the new timeline FilmName_AudioPrep.

• Organize and name all tracks (see instructions below)

Track Organization & Naming

All audio must be properly organized before exporting your AAF. Below is the required track order for different types of audio.

Note: For a helpful guide on renaming tracks in Premiere, please refer to this tutorial:

Important Notes:

• Keep all channels active, no matter which character is talking. We sometimes use alternate LAVs, and it is handy to have all available channels at all times.

• Enable all clips before export. (disabled clips do not come through the AAF)

Required Track Order

Dialogue (Boom and LAV mics):

• Boom 1 (Keep boom on a single channel across the timeline)

• Susie LAV (Keep all characters on their own unique channel for the entire film)

• Johnny LAV

• etc

Overlapping Dialogue:

• Repeat Boom and LAVs a second time in the exact same character order if there is overlapping dialogue:

• Boom 2

• Susie LAV 2

• Johnny LAV 2

• etc

Voiceover and ADR:

• VO 1

• VO 2

• ADR 1

• ADR 2

Music (Stereo):

• All music must be stereo

• Music 1

• Music 2

• etc

Ambience/Room Tone:

• Ambience 1

• Ambience 2

• etc

Sound Effects:

• FX 1

• FX 2

• etc

Step 2: file Deliverables

Once your timeline is prepped and organized, move on to the following deliverables:

1. Video Reference

• Please send the SMPTE Time Code Start Time for each reel. We will encode each start time to final audio deliverables for accurate placement in your editing system.

• Video Reference Format: Should match native resolution and frame rate of timeline, and we accept MOV, DNxHD and MP4.

2. AAF Export Settings

• Audio Format: 48K, 24-bit.

• Frame Handles: 48 frames.

• Embed audio in the AAF.

3. EDL (Edit Decision List)

• Export and include the EDL for your timeline to assist with the post-process.

4. Production Sound Folder

• Ensure all on-set audio recordings are included in the Production Sound Folder.

5. Script & Production Notes

• Please provide the most updated copy of the script, and if possible, the notated script from set.

• Any production notes from set are helpful.

Step 3: File Upload

Projects Smaller Than 100GB

For projects smaller than 100GB, please upload all files via our WeTransfer portal. Please split the upload into two transfers.

1. AAF, Reference video, EDL and scripts.

2. Production Sound Folder

   NOTE: We do not accept Google Drive.

Projects Larger than 100GB

For projects larger than 100GB, please contact us about setting up a shared Dropbox folder. This is much better for larger projects as the upload or download cannot fail halfway through.

All we need is your Dropbox email, and we will send you a share link. Then you’ll be ready to start uploading.

You did it! Thank you for your time and talents.