Stringout / Selects Reel (Lingo)
Definition
A Stringout (or "Selects Reel") is a sequence created by the Assistant Editor or Picture Editor that contains all the best takes (or "selects") of a specific scene, character, or action, placed back-to-back on the timeline. It allows the editor to quickly review all the available options for a given moment without having to open individual clips in the bin. A stringout is often the first step in editing a complex scene.
Contextual Usage
The Picture Editor asks the Assistant Editor for a stringout: "I'm having trouble finding the right reaction shot for the end of Scene 12. Can you pull all the close-ups of the lead actress from that scene and build a stringout of just her reactions? I want to see all the options back-to-back."
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...
View all 23 terms