Fine cut

This article covers fine-tuning in film production. For fine-cut tobacco see Shag (tobacco) .

The finishing of the cut of a film is called fine cut . The fine cut immediately follows the rough cut or the rough cut acceptance .

In the rough cut, the sequence of scenes and shots as well as the basic structure of the story are determined. In the fine cut, the editor must carefully check and define every single cut, every transition (see: Film editing : cross-fading etc.). Every single picture more or less can mean a change. The picture lock refers to the point in time from which the editing of the film is no longer changed.

Most of the cuts in modern films are invisible cuts . For such cuts it is necessary to find the perfect moment for the cutting so that the cut is no longer noticeable to the viewer. Where there is no invisible cut, the fine cut determines which cuts or dissolves are used (see: Film editing : assembly samples and assembly articulation) and how they can be used to achieve the greatest possible effect.

In the fine cut, the tempo and rhythm of the shots, the scenes and the film are finally determined. Working on the fine cut requires the editor to look at every single picture meticulously at the same time, to examine every cut over and over again and still keep enough distance to the view of the audience - who miss many things and who are interested in a rounded overall impression - not to lose sight of it.