Flattened master workflow

A high-quality master prepared in an agreed color encoding.

Use this when source-media transfer is impractical and a flattened handover has been agreed. A flattened master limits control over overlapping shots, composites and anything already baked into the image.

Agree the color treatment first

Confirm the export color space and gamma with The Palette. Removing LUTs alone does not establish a consistent log encoding. Mixed-camera or color-managed timelines need an agreed output treatment.

• Identify camera/source color spaces and any existing transforms.
• Document timeline color management and output settings.
• Remove creative grades and viewing LUTs only as agreed. Preserve required technical transforms.
• Send a short representative test export and source sample before rendering the full master.

Prepare the master

• Duplicate the locked timeline and work from full-resolution media.
• Keep the agreed final framing and speed changes. Flag stabilisation, noise reduction and optical-flow processing.
• Remove titles, supers and subtitles from the clean grading master where they will be added after grading. Supply those assets separately.
• Agree how dissolves, layered shots and composites will be handled. Baked overlaps cannot be graded as independent shots.
• Keep an untouched reference showing the intended edit, graphics, transitions and audio.

Export settings

Default proposal: Apple ProRes 4444 at the agreed resolution and frame rate. ProRes 4444 XQ may be requested when the project needs it. DNxHR 444 is an alternative by agreement. The booking specification takes precedence.

Confirm color encoding, data levels and timeline start timecode. Do not apply an unapproved output LUT or force every source into a generic LOG export. Include reference audio for sync checks.

Handover checklist

• Approved clean master matching the tested export settings
• Untouched reference with graphics, audio and matching timecode
• EDL matching the master’s record timecode, with cut points checked
• Written resolution, frame rate, start timecode, color space/gamma and data-level settings
• Agreed audio mix, with channel layout and bit depth confirmed; 48 kHz WAV where requested
• Separate graphics, subtitles and other finishing assets
• LUTs and look references clearly identified, plus a source sample for QC where requested

Transfer and timing

Use the transfer method and asset deadline agreed for your booking. Allow time for upload, download and conform checks. For large packages, confirm the transfer plan before exporting.

Keep your original media and a backup. If supplying a physical drive, confirm its connection and filesystem compatibility with The Palette. Do not reformat your only copy. ZIP packaging is only needed when requested.