Technical Resources

editing-workflow-advice

Media Stewardship, Colour & Archive Workflow

Edit workflow advice is best given early in the process.

We will give you initial advice for free. We have lots of experience in broadcast and corporate production.

We can advise on codecs, kit, workflow.

Once we agree on a working relationship we can cost out a solution for your project.

We can agree on online platforms, storage, backups, software, compliance and critical flow solutions.

We have around 60TB of in-house raid storage, LTO and a 1GB internet connection.

1. Core Philosophy

Sublime Pictures operates as a boutique production and post studio.

Our workflows prioritise:

  • Data integrity over raw throughput
  • Predictability over novelty
  • Long-term recoverability over short-term convenience

We intentionally favour proven standards and conservative risk management, aligning with broadcast and long-form post-production practices.

2. Archive & Media Protection Strategy

2.1 Multi-Point Security

No original camera media is erased until multiple verified copies exist across independent formats.

Minimum standard:

  • Primary working RAID
  • LTO archive
  • Third copy (client-held or off-site)

Camera media functions as a temporary third copy during ingest.

2.2 Archive Medium (LTO)

  • LTFS format
  • File-level checksum verification
  • Native folder structures preserved (no ZIP or compressed containers)
  • Archives created at project- or shoot-granular level to limit risk concentration

Smaller, more granular archives are intentionally preferred to reduce single-event loss exposure.

2.3 LTO Generation Strategy

  • Current generation used appropriately for workload
  • Migration to newer generations occurs only as volume justifies
  • Capacity is managed deliberately — tapes are not blindly filled

Archive decisions are driven by risk containment, not headline capacity.

2.4 Client Copies & Responsibility

Where clients receive a rushes copy:

  • The client assumes responsibility for that copy upon delivery
  • Sublime Pictures retains its own verified archive

This enables robust protection while keeping workflows efficient and transparent.

3. Colour Management Philosophy

3.1 Separation of Concepts

Sublime Pictures treats the following as distinct and non-interchangeable:

  • Resolution (HD / UHD)
  • Colour space (Rec.709 / Rec.2020)
  • Dynamic range (SDR / HDR)
  • Viewing environment (reference vs consumer)

Confusion between these is the primary cause of inconsistent results in internet delivery.

4. SDR / HDR Coexistence Workflow (DaVinci Resolve)

4.1 Colour Management Framework

  • DaVinci YRGB Color Managed
  • DaVinci Wide Gamut / Intermediate as the timeline colour space

This provides a scene-referred working environment capable of supporting both SDR and HDR outputs cleanly.

4.2 SDR as the Creative Master

SDR Rec.709 is the authoritative creative master.

  • Predictable
  • Universally compatible
  • Correct for the widest range of viewing conditions

HDR is treated as a derived deliverable, not a competing grade.

4.3 Monitoring Discipline

  • SDR grading performed against a calibrated Rec.709 reference monitor
  • HDR grading only undertaken when:
    • Proper HDR monitoring is available
    • Platform delivery justifies it
    • A controlled trim pass is planned

Half-measures are avoided.

5. Master Colour Space Decisions

5.1 Two Legitimate SDR Masters

Reference / Broadcast Master

  • Rec.709, Gamma 2.4
  • Used for:
    • Archive
    • Broadcast delivery
    • Reference monitoring
    • Colour-critical environments

This is the truth master.

Web / macOS Viewing Master

  • Rec.709-A
  • Used for:
    • QuickTime playback
    • Safari / Chrome on macOS
    • Finder previews
    • Client review files

This compensates for macOS display-referred colour management and ensures perceived parity with the grade.

No visual adjustments are made to “chase” QuickTime — only correct tagging.

5.2 HDR Master (When Required)

  • Rec.2020 container
  • PQ or HLG transfer
  • Created via a controlled trim pass from the SDR-anchored grade
  • Delivered only to platforms and displays that support HDR correctly

HDR is offered deliberately, not by default.

6. What Sublime Pictures Does Not Do

  • Does not grade SDR content in Rec.2020
  • Does not ZIP or containerise camera originals for archive
  • Does not rely on RAID as an archive
  • Does not assume browsers are colour-accurate
  • Does not erase camera media prematurely
  • Does not oversell HDR where it adds no value

7. Positioning Statement

Sublime Pictures operates conservative, broadcast-aligned workflows for media protection and colour management. SDR Rec.709 remains the creative master, with HDR and web deliverables derived through controlled, standards-compliant processes.

8. Why This Matters

This approach:

  • Reduces risk
  • Improves repeatability
  • Builds long-term client trust
  • Avoids rework and colour disputes
  • Scales calmly as workload increases

It is intentionally designed for quality-led, boutique client relationships, not volume churn.