Amazon Cuts & Screenings Protocols
Each content type has its own cuts and distribution policy; please contact the AS Post Executive for additional clarity on cuts required for your content type. Amazon refers to all cuts turned over the studio as AC or Amazon Cut. All cuts should be numbered in sequential order, starting with 1.
For Creative Review, English subtitles are required to be burnt into the picture for Amazon Cuts 1, 2, and 3 and the Locked Cut. These subtitles allow international stakeholders to properly review the content. They are not used for translation or other localisation purposes. AS recommends that productions start translation prior to Amazon Cuts, update the translations to match the cut versions, and then burn-in during playout for delivery to Amazon Studios.
AS Series
Each episode must have a 3-digit production number that is assigned at production and carried through to delivery (e.g., [Showcode] 101, [Showcode] 102).
During production or after production, if the episode air order is non-sequential and an episode is added or removed, please communicate with AS Post Executive. The production number should always stay the same.
Program time includes end credits and tail logos, main titles, and does not include the Prime Video Logo or International Dubbing Cards (both inserted after delivery by AS Mastering). All titles must confirm run time(s) and other key details with the AS Post Production Executive in advance.
For creative, budget, and schedule considerations, AS requires the following run times:
- “Half-hour” programs should fall between 22 and 30 minutes of total program time.
- “One-hour” programs should fall between 48 and 54 minutes of total program time.
All titles for Prime Video originals should be constructed without ad breaks.
If any episode exceeds the maximum or falls short of the recommended run time, the production must reach out to the AS Post Executive and AS Creative Executive for approval.
Program time includes credits and does not include the head Prime Video logo. The Prime Video logo is dynamically inserted during playout and does not need to be added in editorial or online.
Teasers and Previously Ons (Recaps): DO NOT count towards the total program time.
On all first seasons of Scripted Series and Pilots, AS requests that the post schedule accommodate time for Three Cuts and notes to be addressed ahead of locking for the first 3 episodes.
All subsequent episodes allow time for 3 cuts and time for notes to be addressed. Each cut turnover should be numbered in sequential order starting with Amazon Cut (AC1), and turnover dates should match the PMC.
Any additional Amazon cuts must be agreed upon by the Producers, AS Creative Executive and AS Post Executive.
Amazon Cuts - Scripted & Unscripted Series
- Content Review Cut (CRC) - Assembly cut of the intended narrative for the episode (only for Unscripted)
- Amazon Cut 1 (AC1) - Producer’s Cut.
- Amazon Cut 2 (AC2) - Addresses the first round of Amazon notes.
- Amazon Cut 3 (AC3) - Proposed Locked Cut addressing 2nd round of notes. Credits due for review with AC3.
- Amazon Cut # (AC#) - Any additional Amazon Cuts must be agreed upon by the Producers, AS Creative and Post Executives.
- Locked Cut - Locked Cut addressing 2nd round of notes.
With every cut, an EDL/AAF of the timeline should be uploaded to Flow Capture along with the cut. Please contact the AS Post Executive for the upload folder structure and process.
Continuity Sheet
With each cut delivery, in addition to any automatic notifications from the platform, an email must be sent to the AS Post Executive and Coordinator notifying that a cut has been posted. The email subject line should include the show code, cut version, and date. The email should include a continuity file as an attachment, which should also be uploaded to the CONTINUITY folder on Box. A Continuity Template is found here and must be used for all continuities.
Email Template for Distribution:
Hello,
Please find below the details for the creative review of AZ ‘x’ of Episode 'x'.
- Episode and Cut:
- Submitted:
- Flow Capture Pathway:
- Duration:
- Feedback due by:
- Notes:
Notes Turn Around
AS requires 2 working days for notes to be turned around on all cuts. In the case of content standards review, the timeline is 3 working days, and in a few instances for an enhanced review, this timeline may extend to 21 working days.
Previously Ons, Next Ons, Season Recaps, and This Season Ons
Series may require Previously Ons, Next Ons, Season Recaps, and This Season Ons added to the program. Please check with the Post Executive to confirm what additional assets are needed and their placement.
- Amazon Cut 1 – 1 week for Amazon's creative to send notes, 1 week for the Production Company to apply the notes and send a new cut.
- Amazon Cut 2 – 72 hours for Amazon's creative to send notes, 72 hours for Production Company to apply the notes and send a new cut.
- Amazon Cut 3 (Proposed Locked Cut) – 48 hours for Amazon's creative to confirm the locked cut or send notes; 48 hours for Production Company to apply the notes and send a new cut.
- Locked Cut - 24 hours to confirm Locked Cut.
With every cut, an EDL/AAF of the timeline should be uploaded to Flow Capture along with the cut. Please contact the AS Post Executive for the upload folder structure and process.
Studio Cuts Notes Turnaround Timing
AOM Cut Notes Turnaround timing can vary. Please reach out to the AS Post Executive to assure this will be the cadence used in your project.
If the cut is received at 5pm on a Friday, notes would be due back on the following Wednesday by 5pm. Weekend cut reviews must be specifically agreed to by the AS Creative.
Cut Distribution An AS Post representative will set up each Production with access to the approved dailies and cuts platform (see dailies section). With each cut delivery, Production must send an email notification to the Post Executive, Post Coordinator, and all Distribution recipients. The email subject line should include show code, code name, cut version, and date. Please upload the cut to Flow Capture in the Amazon Cuts folder, and denote the batch/filename as per the file naming convention. Cut Distribution – For Prod Co Internal Assessment The AS Post Coordinator will set up the below teams on Flow Capture Originals Access prior to the deadline for cut distribution. Distro – Director’s Cut Distro – Preview Cut Distro – Locked Cut Distro – Final Cut Cut Distribution – For AS Preview Team
The AS Post Coordinator will set up the below teams on the approved cuts platform for cut distribution.
Amazon Cut 1 (AC1)
Amazon Cut 2 (AC2)
Amazon Cut 3 (AC3)
Locked Timing Cut
Final Color Playback
Final Mix Playback
Deliver to QC
Final Delivery
A Locked Cut should have finalised timecodes and no further editorial changes. Locked Cuts should include a Final Main Title.
AS requires the following be delivered for every Locked Cut:
- A downloadable version of each Locked Cut uploaded to the AS approved cut platform (Asset Technical Specifications Article)
- If Applicable: An editable version of the most recent production draft script (.FDX or .RTF preferred), or any other script reference materials, uploaded and shared via the AS Approved Platform along with an email notification to the AS Post Executive.
- Preliminary Log of Licensed Stock Footage & Still Photos, uploaded to the AS Approved Platform with an email notification to the AS Post Executive. (The final version must be uploaded to the AS Approved Platform during QC).
- Split track.wav files delivered as separate audio tracks (Ch.1 Dialogue, Ch.2 Sound Effects, Ch.3 Stereo Music L, Ch.4 Stereo Music R) via an AS approved cut distribution platform
- EDL/AAF of the Locked Cut needs to be uploaded on Flow Capture
If cuts are conformed or changed after Locked Cut delivery, AS Localization requires the following:
- Downloadable version of revised, Locked Cut. Please use the same delivery method agreed upon for all Locked Cuts.
- Timecode-specific breakdown of changes made within the episode.
- Subsequent deliveries should include a revision number in the file name (R1, R2,...)
Amazon Studios requires audience testing on all titles. The testing is conducted on the first two or three episodes at the AC2 stage for Series and the complete movie for all AOMs. Please contact the AS Creative Executive or AS Post Executive to confirm the cut stage and specs for audience testing.
While creating the post schedule and post milestone calendar (PMC), please account for the audience testing phase for Series.
The turnaround time is usually around 5–6 weeks. An additional five days for unscripted or ten days for scripted and movies may be required for creative review and implementation of notes.
Based on the testing feedback, additional cuts may be requested. Please contact the AS Post Executive to plan for the testing phase. AS does not require final color or audio mixing for these testing cuts. We however request audio levelling and subtitling of these cuts.
Screeners
A Visible Timecode screener is made from the first SDR or HDR Production Master delivered to QC. It needs to be delivered within 24 hours of the Production Master delivering to the QC vendor. It’s used for localization and compliance review, and marketing.
A Final Subtitled screener is made from the QC approved SDR Production Master and the QC approved subtitle file. It needs to be delivered within 24 hours of QC approval. Used to finalize localization and marketing assets.
A Clean screener is made from the QC approved SDR Production Master. It needs to be delivered within 24 hours of QC approval. Used to finalize localization and marketing assets.
Amazon Ratings & Censor Certification Submission
All content is rated 4 weeks prior to launch. For questions or concerns about Amazon Ratings, please reach out to your AS/FV Executive.
All titles and episodes are reviewed by the Amazon Compliance team prior to launch. They review the final content to ensure that all laws are being followed for each special global compliance territory in which the title will be launched. The compliance team may require edits or blurs and, in rare cases, a separate Compliance Master be created for those territories. The AS Post Executive will reach out with further details and may require your assistance for the creation of these Compliance Masters.
Please reach out to your Post Executive to confirm if the movie should have censor certification.
After the locked cut is finalized, all documentation must be completed and applications for censor certification must be submitted to the CBFC within two weeks. Censor screenings to be done via DCP only.
AS Post Production will handle all rating submission paperwork to the MPA. The paperwork will be submitted to the MPA the first week of Post Production for screening date assignment. The AS Post Team and Post Supervisor will discuss a desired screening date to request (around picture lock). MPA screeners are to be delivered via Flow Capture Originals Access. The AS Post Coordinator will provide instructions for upload.