Purpose, Scope, and Intended Audience
Post production and delivery requirements, as directed by Amazon MGM Studios (“AS”) and Freevee (“FV”), are outlined in this document. If applicable, the Line Producer and Post Production team should carefully review this document before the first budget review and refer to it throughout production and post production to maintain adherence to AS/FV guidelines. If there are any questions or concerns about how a particular section of this manual applies to the project, please contact the assigned Post Executive.
Communications with Amazon Studios Post
Except where noted, all communications related to post production should be directed to the Post Executive and Post Coordinator, including questions about post delivery policies.
Keeping the designated Post Exec/Coordinator on ALL emails will ensure proper support and help production obtain answers/resolutions when needed. CC the Post Executive on ALL replies if not included in the original email.
For any questions regarding Post/Delivery, or if production lacks a Post Executive’s contact information, please email the most appropriate alias found here if you are signed in.
Pre-Production
Please refer to the Delivery Checklists below to know which delivery platform(s) applies to the project.
Prior to the start of principal photography or animation, please schedule a 60-minute kick off meeting with the assigned Post Executive. The Post Executive will introduce Amazon Studios/Freevee personnel, discuss general plans, lay out the required deliverables due prior to the start of production, and address questions regarding the information contained in this document. Please thoroughly read the Global Manual and have questions prepared to discuss.
During the Post Kick Off meeting, please provide the Post Executive with contact information for the Prod Co’s Post team so that approved credentials may be created.
Each Content Type also has its own individual standard meetings during the run of Post Production. Please reach out to the Post Executive to discuss the meetings they have planned for the project.
Prior to the start of production, a 4-digit show code will have been assigned to the project. If a show code was not already provided, please request the code during the kick off meeting. All material submitted to Amazon and Freevee must include the four-letter assigned show code and season. All emails to Amazon and Freevee must include the 4-digit show code in the subject line. Amazon uses this unique code to track all files and communications. Example Subject Line: XXXX - Title/Season# - Email Subject
Deliverables Due at the Start of Production
The following documents are due at the start of principal photography or Animation and must be updated throughout production and post production. Please find templates and file naming conventions below.
All paper deliverables should be uploaded to Box.com. Please see your AS/FV Post Executive for access to your titles Box Folders.
Post Production Contacts Sheet & Vendor Selection
A Post Production Contact Sheet (contact template) with all editorial crew members, vendors, and key stakeholders must be uploaded ahead of principal photography to the AS/FV approved platform (see Delivery Checklists) and distributed via email to the AS/FV Distribution List.
The Post Vendor Sheet lists all anticipated and active vendors the production is planning to use during the course of Post Production. This document also captures all of the camera and delivery specifications that are unique to the production. If any specification changes during the course of production please alert the Post Executive in writing and update the Post Vendor Sheet.
If new vendors are added (i.e., additional VFX houses, ADR stages, etc.), this form must be updated and submitted as a revision for renewed approval by the AS/FV post executive.
A final version, reconciled with all vendors and personnel (past and present), is due with wrap paperwork.
AS/FV strives for productions to work with post vendors best suited for each show. We advise all titles to get multiple bids from 2 or more vendors to assure competitive rates. All creative vendors must be approved in writing by the Post Executive prior to engaging in work. Consult with the Post Executive regarding creative post vendors and obtain express approval from the Post Executive prior to engaging vendors.
All Quality Control reviews must be conducted by an Amazon and Freevee approved vendor.
For an approved QC and Preferred Accessibility Vendor List click here.
To use other service providers, Prod Co must consult and receive approval from the AS/FV Post Executive in advance.
Procurement requirements for unlisted QC and Accessibility Vendors: Prod Co must get three (3) bids for vendors. Once all bids are in, production company must send them along with a business justification to the Post Executive.
Post Milestone Calendar & Schedule
AS requires a Post Milestone Calendar ("PMC") be created for all titles at the start of production and all dates should match the Post Production Schedule ("PPS"). The PMC is a list of key milestones and turnovers to AS. Different departments use the PMC to track deliverables and make key scheduling decisions that affect downstream teams including Legal, Marketing, VFX, Delivery, and Localization. Not meeting these dates can have major implication on these teams or launch.
AS uses Airtable to collect and distribute these dates to internal stakeholders. We use Airtable to hold real-time post milestone dates, and it is our source of truth. Once the Post Milestone Calendar is approved by the Post Executive, any changes to the turnover dates or final delivery dates must be approved in writing by the Post Executive.
The PMC is a living Airtable document and must be kept up to date as the schedule changes. The PMC must also reflect the actual dates as each milestone is completed.
If additional AS Cuts are required and agreed upon by the producers and creative executives, they must also be tracked on the PMC. Each cut turn over to Amazon should be accounted for on the PMC as a unique turnover.
Airtable Tips:
- If unsure how a specific date is defined (ex: Physical Essential Delivery), hover over the “i” info-bubble in the column header to see a short date description.
- Once changes are made to any dates, the Post Supervisor or Post Producer MUST communicate via email to the AS Post Executive the list of changes reflected in Airtable.
- No need to keep track of old dates if you’re using Airtable, as they are saved automatically.
A copy of the PMC must be downloaded from Airtable and distributed to the following recipients. More recipients may be added to the Post Milestone Calendar distribution list but at minimum include:
- AS Post Executive
- AS Post Production team email list
- AS Originals Localization
- Localization Vendor
- QC Vendor (Please reach out to the AS Post Executive to confirm)
- The AS Development Coordinator assigned to the series
- The AS Production Coordinator assigned to the series
For any series using the older PMC Excel form, this document must be distributed via email on Fridays each week, regardless if there are changes.
For AOM titles, maintaining a Post Milestone Calendar is not required. Please see the Post Production Schedule (PPS) section of this manual for calendar/schedule requirements.
For any movies using the PMC Excel form, this document must be distributed via email every time a milestone date is changed.
A detailed Post Production Schedule (PPS) must be created ahead of the start of production. This schedule should be a daily accounting of all post production activities. The PPS must be emailed to the AS Post Executive as well as shared via the link in the on the Deliverables Outline. The PPS is a living document and should be kept up to date and provided on a regular cadence to be determined by the Post Executive. Once the schedule is approved by the Post Executive, any changes to final delivery dates must be approved in writing by the Post Executive.
For all scripted series, this document is required one (1) week ahead of production start. The format of the schedule is at the discretion of the Post Producer and can be in a calendar or vertical format, but it must be a daily accounting of planned or actual activities.
The PPS should include but is not limited to the following milestones:
Episodes production Start/End, Editors Cut Turn Over, Directors Cut Start/End, Producers Cut Start/End, Amazon Cut Turn overs, Amazon Notes Due, Lock, VFX turn overs, VFX Spotting, Music Spotting, all Mixing Dates, M&E Mix, Foley, ADR Sessions, Reconforms, QC Turn Overs 1 & 2, VFX Completion Deadlines, Online Sessions, Color Sessions, Scoring, etc.
See examples here:
For all movies, this document is required 2 weeks before the conclusion of Principal Photography. The format of the schedule is at the discretion of the Post Supervisor and can be in a calendar or vertical format, but it must be a daily accounting of planned or actual activities.
The PPS should include but is not limited to the following milestones:
Principal Photography Start/End, Post Production Start, Director’s Cut Screening, Preview Cut Screening(s), Picture Lock, MPA Screening (if applicable), American Humane Society (or local equivalent) Screening (if applicable), Pre-Mix Start/End, ADR & Group Recording, Foley Recording, Final Mix Start/End/Playback, M&E Dates, Music Recording/Turnovers/Final Delivery, VFX Turnovers/Final Delivery, Conform Start/End, Color Start/End/Review, Editor/Cutting Room Wrap, Final File Delivery to QC.
See example here:
For all unscripted series, this document is required to be sent with the budget during the budget review process. This format of the schedule is at the discretion of the Post Producer and can be in a calendar, horizontal or vertical format, but must be a daily account of planned or actual activities. Templates can be provided for guidance.
The PPS should include but is not limited to the following milestones:
Principal Photography Start/End, Post Production Start, Internal Cuts, AC1, AC2 and AC3 Delivery and Notes due, Graphic Reviews, Opening Title Sequence Reviews, Picture Lock, Conform/ Online, Color Grading, Audio Final Mix, Final File Delivery to QC, Official Final Delivery, etc.
Audience testing is required on some series and specials. Please consult the Post Production Executive on if this should be incorporated into the project’s PPS.
See examples here:
Horizontal Calendar Template: https://amznstudios.app.box.com/file/1223529127384
Vertical Calendar Template: https://amznstudios.app.box.com/file/1223546393910
For all Animated Series the Production schedule should also be distributed to the AS Post team each time it is updated.
Please include the following milestones:
Production Draft Completed, Legal Clearance, Recording Dates, Dialogue Editing, Story Board Completion, Animatic Turn over dates to the studio, Animatic Locked, Black & White Complete, Color Complete, Spotting, Work Prints Received, ADR, Mix, Turn Over for QC, Final Delivery
Please reach out to the AS Animated Post Exec for examples.
Distribution List Policies (Cuts and Dailies)
In the weeks leading up to production, AS will turn over a distribution list defining which staff members receive access to dailies, each Amazon Cut, Locked and Final Assets. All show post teams are required to keep a distribution list of all crew members who are to receive each element. This distribution list must be approved by AS/FV ahead of any assets being distributed. Current version of the distribution list must be uploaded to the AS/FV-approved platform.
If any staff changes occur over the course of the production, please update the distribution lists, upload a new working version to the AS/FV approved platform, and share with the AS/FV post executive for approval.
Please see here for a Dailies Distribution List Template.
Please see here for an example of a Dailies Procedure Memo.
AOM does not require updated versions, only a list at the start of production.
Please see here for the US Movies Dailies Workflow Template.
Dailies must be distributed via Flow Capture Originals Access as Amazon/Freevee’s pre-approved dailies and cuts distribution tool.
To use other service providers, Production must consult the AS/FV Post Executive in advance.
For dailies all LUTs must be applied and all takes be delivered as single clips. Long string-outs are not permitted for online viewing due to varying streaming bandwidths and the inability to jump to specific clips or scenes.
Amazon Content Security specifically prohibits the use of all image, video, and audio uploading to any tool other than Flow Capture. Pre-approval is required for any other tool. Email is never approved.
The AS/FV Post will set up and manage the dailies platform, including granting project manager access for requested and approved editorial crew members
The Director of Photography (DP), Director, Production Designer, Executive Producers, Line Producer, and Editorial staff are the only crew-members guaranteed viewing access, and must access dailies from a dedicated secure production site or office only. Please provide business justification if you reach out to the AS Post Executive for approval for crew access to dailies.
Dailies must never be downloaded to personal devices.
Directors and DPs can be given “take home” access to dailies provided on an individually-coded, password-secure tablet provided by production, managed according to Content Security protocols, loaded by the production’s Digital Image Technician (DIT), and delivered to the director and DP at the conclusion of each shooting day. If a production utilizes a dailies vendor or system that does not provide this option, discuss alternate options with the AS Post Executive.
On Flow Capture, those with Editorial Administration access will see a top-level folder titled “PRIVATE-EDITORIAL.” This folder is a private folder that AS Post does not have visibility into. Feel free to use this folder throughout production and post to share content within the production without AS/FV oversight.
Sensitive Materials
The definition of nudity in both the SAG and Equity Agreements is referenced as any part of the body which would be revealed if the artist were not wearing a bathing or swimming suit (i.e. speedo/bikini). We would define “Sensitive Material” as the following for any of our talent around the globe:
- “simulated sex acts” mean any act which if preformed in public would be regarded as “indecent”
- “nudity’ means the display of any of the body which would be revealed if the artist were not wearing a bathing or swimming suit (i.e. speedo and/or bikini)
Each artist will sign a nudity/simulated sex rider for scenes involving Sensitive Material which will set out the scope of permitted depiction for each individual.
Please note - For productions in markets with elevated level of sensitivities (e.g., Indonesia), materials beyond sex or nudity, may also be incorporated into the sensitive materials workflow following consultations with the local Creative, Legal teams and Post teams.
This memo sets out the process for handling Sensitive Materials on Amazon MGM Studios Owned Self and Partner Managed productions. The guidance below shall also apply to any subsequent additional photography or reshoots of the production.
DAILIES DISTRIBUTION
The Amazon Post Executive for each project will discuss the Sensitive Materials Workflow during their Kickoff call and ensure all parts of this process are covered including adherence to the specifics of any nudity riders.
- Amazon MGM Studios will set up a separate Flow Capture folder in the Project named “Distro – Sensitive Dailies.”
- Only essential users will have access to this folder. Production will instruct Amazon MGM Studios Gatekeepers who should have authority to access the “Distro - Sensitive Dailies” folder but, in most cases, should be limited to Showrunner, Director, Director of Photography and Editorial.
- On shoot day, material should be flagged as sensitive on Camera Reports, Sound reports when applicable, and Script/Continuity Notes from the Script Supervisor. Guidance may be required from the Showrunner / EP / Director and in accordance with nudity rider – be conservative!
- Lab processes material and any media which has been flagged as sensitive will be placed into the “Distro – Sensitive Dailies” folder. Amazon MGM Studios will request the Lab to process Sensitive Material in a closed room that has no external monitors showing their feed during transfer of material.
- Lab flags in Daily Report which takes have been separated to avoid potential confusion around “missing takes”.
- Sensitive playlist sent as a separate playlist to the approved “Sensitive Dailies Distro” group only. Amazon MGM Studios will request that ALL sensitive material be considered as Circled Takes to prevent any non-circled takes of sensitive material falling outside of our protocols.
- Playlist to be deleted after specified and agreed period (7 business days). Please discuss with your post management team to determine the optimum time. It is suggested this is done by editorial so that it aligns with other processes.
In the case of Inadvertent Sensitive Material, the following procedure should be followed:
- Clip information of any inadvertent sensitive material should be given to the Dailies Vendor and the editorial team.
- The stand alone clip should be deleted from Flow Capture by the editorial team. This will automatically remove it from any playlist it is contained in.
- The producer (or person nominated by the production) will confirm by emails to the Dailies Vendor and editorial how this material is to be handled – i.e. deleted entirely or become part of the workflow outlined above.
EDITORIAL MEDIA
- At wrap of editorial, Sensitive Material not in the final locked sequence is to be wiped from the Avid/Premiere Project by deleting the associated media files (MXF). Sensitive material within outtakes and deleted scenes should also be deleted.
- The AE should fill out a Sensitive Material - Vendor Acknowledgement form that documents all sensitive material shot over the course of the film or given season. This should be signed by the AE confirming that no sensitive Avid Media has been archived.
VIDEO PLAYBACK MEDIA
In the case of Sensitive Material captured via onset video playback systems, stored on set:
- Access should be limited to only members of the “Sensitive Dailies Distro” group.
- Media is to be deleted as quickly as possible, i.e. as soon as dailies verification is confirmed or within 48 hrs, whichever is sooner.
DAILIES ASSEMBLIES EDITS
In the case of Sensitive Material into Dailies Assembly cuts:
- Access should be limited to only members of the “Sensitive Dailies Distro’ group.
- Edits to be deleted after specified and agreed period (no greater than 7 days). Please discuss with your post management team to determine optimum time.
VENDOR PROTOCOL
- The above Sensitive Material - Vendor Acknowledgement form, once filled out by the AE, is to be sent to the finishing vendor.
- The vendor will delete any identified OCF (or media files derived from the OCF) from their media storage (SAN, LTO, etc.).
- The vendor signs the Sensitive Material - Vendor Acknowledgement form to confirm that all copies of the Sensitive Material have been deleted.
- The post supervisor should then return the completed form to their Amazon MGM Studios post manager.
MASTER OCF ARCHIVE
Sensitive materials should remain on the master archive within the AWS cloud and will be stored by Amazon MGM Studios with little or no access except by approved Amazon MGM Studios personnel.
Camera Requirements & Image Technical Specifications
All cameras must be pre-approved by Amazon Studios/Freevee. Please see the Airtable link below to review approved primary and secondary cameras. Note that all cameras and codecs listed within Airtable still need approval by the Post Executive, Production Executive, and Creative Executive. This Airtable should be used as a starting point to the camera discussion with the AS/FV teams.
In rare exceptions, with pre-approval from a Post Executive and studio leadership, individuals may be granted the ability to use a camera not listed.
Use this code to access: ASCAMERAS
Before and throughout production, each project needs to provide informational documentation regarding the planned/actual production and post media pipeline (from capture to delivery/archive).
The AS/FV Post Executive will create and provide access to the approved platform for the post team to share documents outlined below. Please also include a short narrative that helps to describe the workflow and handoffs in the workflow ahead of production start.
Technical setup should be done in consultation with the Media and Delivery teams.
The production should distribute its intended capture workflow (via the Media Transfer & Workflow Document) to all pertinent production departments and facilities via a memorandum or document. This document should cover the capture resolution, recording format, aspect ratio, and color pipeline for all cameras used. Productions must finalize this workflow document before principal photography. Camera tests should be used to test the workflow, and the workflow document should be amended as needed. The production should send the capture workflow document and any subsequent amendments to the AS/FV Post Executive for review and approval as soon as possible.
For security purposes, do not use a personal instance to warehouse or convey Amazon Studios/Freevee files or documents, and do not provide access to any files, documents, folders on the approved platform to anyone who does not have authorization to view them. The AS/FV Post Coordinator will set up all credentials no later than one week before Principal Photography begins. Production should email requested users to the Post Coordinator.
Workflow diagrams must include:
- On Set
- All Cameras
- All Lenses
- Color Space
- Aspect Ratio
- Frame Rate
- Capture Resolution
- Compression Ratio
- Codec
- Dailies Platform
- Hard Drive specifications
- Media Management Pipeline
- Post
- Finishing Pipeline
- Editorial Format
- Mezzanine Format(s)
- Editorial Platform
- Record Mechanism
- Hard Drive specs
AOM will provide a Dailies Workflow template that should be used to communicate the information listed above. Amazon Original Documentaries do not require a Dailies Workflow document to be submitted.
Capture Resolutions
| A | B | |
| 1 | Primary Camera | 3840 x 2160 resolution or higher |
| 2 | B/C Cameras | - AS strongly advises additional cameras match the Primary Camera resolution. - 1920 x 1080 (HD) capture is acceptable in very limited amounts; please confirm with the AS Post Executive |
| 3 | Frame Rate | 23.976p, 24p, 25p, 29.976p, or 30p (See FRAME RATE) |
| 4 | Aspect Ratio | 1.78 16x9 Full Frame (See below) |
| 5 | Bit Depth | 12-bit minimum for primary camera; 10-bit minimum for B/C cameras; 16-bit maximum |
| 6 | Compression | - Refer to guidelines of the particular camera selected. - Primary Camera: Intra-frame compression should always be utilized - B/C Cameras: Inter-frame compression acceptable but not preferred |
| 7 | Color Space | LOG (or camera equivalent) |
| 8 | Lens | Common spherical lenses are approved. To use anamorphic lenses, consult the AS Post Executive. |
Dailies Checksums
Amazon Studios/Freevee require checksum reports for dailies. These are delivered for archival of media for long term preservation and to validate the integrity of captured footage. MD5 checksum reports are strongly preferred, with XXhash acceptable if MD5 reports cannot be supplied. Checksum reports should be included in the upload for archive for dailies to the AS/FV approved platform. In any capture workflow, two camera source file copies should be made, one of which should be archived. Please refer to the archive section.
The Checksum software product name and version number should be included in the capture workflow document.
Frame Rate
It is required to shoot natively progressive at 23.976p, 24p, 25p, 29.976p, or 30p. Any deviation from those options requires AS/FV Post Executive approval.
AS/FV requires a continuous frame rate within a program. We do not recommend deviating from the original capture frame rate in any deliverable. Final deliverables cannot have mixed frame rates. If either approach is required, AS/FV requires proper conversion techniques (Alchemist, Episode, Teranex, etc.) and recommends testing in advance of delivery.
The only approved frame rates for US Episodic Series are 23.976p or 24p.
Aspect Ratio
All titles must receive creative and post approval in writing before shooting or changing aspect ratios.
Production must provide framing charts during testing at the start of production as part of the dailies turn over.
Not all cameras can capture theatrical aspect ratios in UHD resolution. Some aspect ratios will also need the approval of Prime Video Encoding to confirm that a non-standard aspect ratio can be managed.
For All Series it is required to shoot in 1.78 16x9 Full Frame aspect ratio.
Special approval in writing is required before shooting any other aspect ratio.
For Movies titles, AS Post Exec approval is required before locking in aspect ratio.
To ensure that the images captured maintain the highest dynamic range with the widest color gamut, and to optimize color preservation and workflow, AS/FV highly recommends using camera native color space or ACES.
Amazon Studios advises that all images be captured with enough luminance latitude to avoid crushed blacks and camera noise from under exposure. Reshoots may be requested for scenes under exposed or shot/colored too dark that an audience will have difficulty seeing the action. If you see any problematic sequences in dailies please flag to the Post Executive immediately.
Please refer to the Asset Technical Specifications section for Image Sequences for dailies specification details.
Post Content Security
Please refer to AS Content Security policies as specified in the Security policies.
Prod Co and Post Supervisors must abide by the Dailies and Editorial Procedure.