The Masters
Every other deliverable is cut from these. Build them wrong and the mistake travels into everything downstream.
- DSM (Digital Source Master)The graded, finished, full resolution master. 16 bit or 12 bit, no burn ins, at native resolution and frame rate.
- DCDMThe intermediate step between the DSM and the DCP, converted into XYZ color space.
- DCP (Digital Cinema Package)The theatrical deliverable. Interop or SMPTE, 2K or 4K, flat or scope, carrying a 5.1 or 7.1 mix. An encrypted DCP also needs KDMs issued per screen or per server.
- ProRes 4444 XQ and ProRes 422 HQ mastersThe practical mezzanine files that streaming and broadcast partners actually pull from.
- IMF package (Interoperable Master Format)What Netflix, Amazon, Apple and most streamers now require in place of tape. A CPL plus the media, textless supplementals and any localization tracks.
- ProRes textless or clean masterThe full program with no titles or lower thirds burned in, so a localization team can re title it.
Versions
A distribution contract rarely names a single version. Each one has to be conformed, checked and delivered on its own.
- Theatrical versionThe version built to the DCP specification for cinema exhibition.
- Home video and streaming versionConformed for platform playback and platform specifications.
- Airline or edited versionProfanity, nudity and violence trimmed, when the contract calls for it.
- Textless backgroundsEvery shot that carried text, delivered clean at the tail of the master.
- Trailer and teaser DCPsDelivered with their own masters, built to the same standard as the feature.
Text and Localization
This is the paperwork that lets a film travel. Subtitling, dubbing and captioning teams all work from these documents, so they have to match the locked cut frame for frame.
- CCSL (Combined Continuity and Spotting List)A shot by shot continuity of the finished film with dialogue transcription and timings. It doubles as the spotting list for subtitling and dubbing.
- Dialogue listOr an as broadcast dialogue list where the recipient is a network.
- Spotting list for subtitlesTimed against the locked cut.
- Subtitle and closed caption filesSCC, SRT, iTT, TTML or DFXP depending on the platform, with English SDH plus any contracted foreign languages.
- Forced narrative subtitlesFor any foreign language dialogue inside the film itself.
Legal and Administrative
More deliveries are rejected over documents than over picture or sound. This is the part that quietly delays a release, and it is the part we track from the start of post rather than at the end.
- Chain of titleEverything that proves you own what you are selling.
- E&O insurance certificateErrors and omissions cover, almost always required before a delivery is accepted.
- Music cue sheetEvery piece of music with timing, usage, publisher and performing rights organization.
- LicensesMusic sync and master use, stock footage, clip clearances and talent.
- Talent and location releasesCollected, complete and matched to what is on screen.
- MPA rating certificateOr the equivalent for the territory.
- DCP screening and QC reportFrom a real screening, not an assumption.
- Lab access letterGranting the distributor the right to pull elements from our facility.
- Final credits and end crawlApproved and locked.
- Screen credit obligations documentSo contractual credits are honored exactly as agreed.
The Room Behind It
Every stage of the master runs in house, in rooms built for the work.
A master should be approved on a screen rather than a laptop. The tools matter less than the specification they are being pointed at.
Marketing Your Feature Film
Before distributing your feature film to streaming platforms, we will create a branded website and start building a social media following to increase your production studio’s credibility. Our team of web developers and marketers will put your feature online, providing the basis for you to interact with audiences and build interest around your film.
Your website will encompass everything about your film, including trailers, behind the scenes footage, information about the director, stars of the show, crew, synopsis, and primary selling points. Though this is a great resource for viewers, it’s an even more valuable resource for investors, who are likely to visit your website to learn more and gauge the likelihood of success. Once on streaming, we will provide easy avenues for consumers to buy and rent your film online.
Conversely, your social media will be geared primarily for your audience. Here, you can start conversations, share insights and challenges on set, and invite your audience to be a part of your journey. This is your time to make your audience fall in love with your characters and your narrative. Do that and the sky is limit.
Distribution
What We've All Been Waiting For
When it comes to packaging your feature film for delivery to the most watched streaming platforms, we will provide everything you need to earn your place at the top.
Taglines · Sales Pitch · Show Log · Pitch Deck · Film Poster
Christmas Eve
The River Cabin
Grace From Above
Built for Streaming
Your film poster is one of the most integral assets in your race to the top of streaming platforms. Today, consumers, especially those shopping for entertainment, shop with their eyes. Before anyone even considers reading a synopsis of your film, they will look to your movie poster to decide whether or not they are interested.
The film posters we create are designed to pique the viewer’s interest and encourage them to take the next step, which is either reading your film’s synopsis, watching your trailer, or purchasing your film outright.
There are a few essentials that every film poster needs:
- The name of your production studio
- The name of your star talent
- A catchy tagline
- And emotionally charged visuals that beg the questions, “what is this film about?”
Now, any graphic designer can make a movie poster. However, if you want a movie poster that generates the desired results, you need a graphic designer who is intimately familiar with your film. Not only are our graphic designers involved in the entire marketing process for your film, but they are also a part of the entire mastering process. They’ve watched your film being built and, therefore, understand the chief themes in your narrative and the pivotal moments in your story. With this knowledge, they will create a movie poster that is both engaging and deeply attached to your film.
That’s not all…
Every streaming platform has its own guideline for the media assets they feature. Because of this, you need to create posters of various sizes and dimensions. Fortunately, you have to to translate your movie poster’s design to be accepted on any streaming platform you’re pursuing.