Postproduction

Postproduction, or post, refers to the phase of film, television, video, or audio production that occurs after principal photography or recording. It encompasses editing, sound design, visual effects, color correction and grading, and the assembly of final deliverables. In filmmaking, postproduction typically follows shooting and offline editing, and can include digital intermediate color timing, visual effects, Foley, ADR, music scoring, and final mixing. In music production, postproduction can include overdubs, vocal tuning, mastering, and stereo or surround mixing. In photography and digital media, postproduction covers retouching and compositing.

The workflow usually begins with organizing and backing up footage, creating rough cuts, and selecting takes. Offline editors assemble a rough cut; online or conform editors apply final edits, ensure continuity, and prepare for color grading. Colorists adjust color balance, tone, and mood. Sound post includes dialogue editing, sound effects, Foley, and mixing. Visual effects teams create or integrate CGI, composites, and titles, often with a supervisor coordinating assets. Music is recorded, edited, and mixed; the final soundtrack is then mastered for distribution.

Deliverables vary by platform: cinema masters, broadcast masters, streaming masters, and versioned exports. Common tools include non-linear editors (Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro), color grading software (DaVinci Resolve), DAWs (Pro Tools), and VFX programs (Nuke, Adobe After Effects).

Postproduction is iterative, with changes requested by directors, producers, or studios. It can run concurrently with production through production wrap and is a critical factor in the pacing, visual style, soundscape, and overall quality of the finished work.