Rough Cut
Definition
The Rough Cut is an early version of the edited film that is more refined than the assembly cut but still significantly longer and less polished than the final cut. In the rough cut, the editor has made initial decisions about which takes to use and how to structure the scenes, but has not yet fine-tuned the pacing, trimmed the scenes to their optimal length, or added final sound and music. The rough cut is typically the first version of the film that the director reviews with the editor.
Contextual Usage
The director and editor sit down to watch the rough cut together. After it ends, the director says, "The structure is basically right, and I love what you've done with the opening sequence. But the second act is too slow — we need to find about fifteen minutes to cut from those middle scenes."
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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