Film & Television vocabulary · Editing and Post-Production
Rough cut
Meaning in film & television, with examples
/ˈrʌf kʌt/nounCommon term
In film & television, rough cut means: An early edited version of a film with the scenes in order but without final timing, effects, music or sound work.
In Turkish: kaba kurgu, ilk kurgu
How it is used
Editing usually moves from an assembly (everything in script order) to a rough cut, then a fine cut and finally picture lock. Producers, financiers and test audiences often see a rough cut and give notes.
Example sentences
The rough cut is two and a half hours, so we need to lose forty minutes.
We'll send the rough cut to the fund by the end of the month.
Common collocations
first rough cut
watch the rough cut
rough cut screening
notes on the rough cut
Related terms
final cutThe finished, approved version of an edited film. Final cut is also the contractual right to decide what that version will be.
cutAn instant change from one shot to the next in editing. It also means a version of an edited film, such as the director's cut.
editingThe work of choosing, ordering and joining shots so that they tell the story with the right rhythm, emotion and meaning.
film editorThe person who selects and joins the shots of a film into a finished story, working with the director to shape its rhythm and structure.
dailiesThe raw, unedited footage from a day's shoot, prepared quickly so the director, producers and editor can check it.
