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Production Questions Decoded
Short answers first. Follow the connected guides when the answer depends on a camera mode, a handoff or a delivery specification.
Do I need a 4K camera to make a good short film?
No. Resolution is one delivery and framing consideration. Reliable sound, lighting, focus, performance and a workable post-production path usually matter more than additional pixels. Confirm any required delivery resolution before choosing a camera.
Is log recording the same as RAW?
No. Log describes a tonal encoding; RAW describes a family of formats retaining sensor-related data for later interpretation. A camera can record log images in a non-RAW codec. Supported controls vary by format and application.
Will proxies reduce the quality of my final film?
Not if the final sequence correctly reconnects to the intended original or finishing media. Proxies are working copies. Test relinking, framing, timecode and audio-channel behavior before editing a full project.
What should a useful clean plate contain?
The scene without the element being removed or replaced, captured under matching conditions. Camera motion, focus, lighting and moving background elements affect its usefulness. Agree requirements with the effects artist before shooting.
Are practical effects always better than CGI?
No. Practical work can provide real interaction and lighting; digital work can extend or replace what is impractical or unsafe. A hybrid approach often works well. Choose by shot needs, safety, resources and integration requirements.
When should the edit be considered picture locked?
When the team agrees that shot order and duration are stable enough for downstream work. Changes can still happen, but must be versioned and communicated to effects, sound and finishing.
Can a LUT fix poor exposure?
No. A LUT remaps existing values according to a fixed transform. It cannot recover clipped highlights or missing detail. Use the correct input transform and assess exposure before applying a creative look.
Which editing application should I learn first?
Choose one that runs reliably on your equipment and supports the projects and collaborators you expect. Practice organizing media, trimming, synchronizing, exporting and relinking; those skills transfer more widely than shortcuts.
What loudness should every film use?
There is no single target for every destination. Use the delivery specification for the actual platform, broadcaster or exhibition format, including loudness, peak and channel-layout requirements.
What is the most useful final quality-control check?
Watch and listen to the exported file from beginning to end. Confirm timing, framing, effects versions, titles, synchronization, audio routing and delivery settings. A correct timeline does not guarantee a correct export.
Still untangling a handoff? Include the source format, application version, intended output and a description of the mismatch in your note. Do not send private footage, credentials or confidential production documents.
Prepare a production note →