Picture Lock
Definition
Picture Lock (or "locked picture") is the milestone in the post-production process at which the editing of the film is considered final and no further changes will be made to the cut. Once picture is locked, the total duration of the film is fixed, and every frame has a specific position in the timeline. This is a critical milestone because it allows the sound department, music department, and VFX department to begin their final work, knowing that the timing of the film will not change.
Contextual Usage
The director sends an email to all post-production departments: "We have achieved picture lock as of today. The final runtime is 1 hour 47 minutes. Sound, music, and VFX can now proceed with their final work. No further editorial changes will be made."
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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