Assembly Cut
Definition
The Assembly Cut (also called the "assembly edit" or "rough assembly") is the very first version of the edited film, created by the editor by assembling all the selected takes in script order without any significant trimming or refinement. It is typically much longer than the intended final cut and serves as the raw material from which the editor and director will begin shaping the film. The assembly cut is usually only seen by the editor and director.
Contextual Usage
The editor presents the assembly cut to the director: "The assembly is about three hours and forty minutes long. I've included all the best takes in script order. Now we need to start making decisions about what to cut and how to tighten the pacing."
About this section
The editorial department is where the raw footage is transformed into a finished story. The editor is often described as the "invisible storyteller" — their work, when done well, is completely transpa...
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