Most editorial work runs late because the workflow is reactive. Every project I take on runs on the same eight-milestone structure, and the same predictability is what lets me move fast.
Ingest and review
Before anything else: every clip watched, every best take marked, multi-cam synced, bins organized. This is the work that makes every later step faster.
Rough cut, story-first
The rough cut is about structure, not polish. I’m looking for the spine of the story. Pacing, transitions, and color come later.
Fine cut
Frame-accurate trims, b-roll layered, music ducked, transitions intentional. This is the pass where the cut becomes the cut.
Color, audio, revisions, delivery
Each gets its own dedicated pass. Three rounds of client revisions are built in. Final master export, format variants, archival backup.