Turnover

Turnover is the formal handoff from editorial to downstream finishing departments (color, sound, VFX, music) once picture lock is achieved, accompanied by a comprehensive package of files and paperwork that synchronizes the entire pipeline. A complete turnover typically includes: the locked picture reference (often as a watermarked ProRes or DNxHD QuickTime with timecode and footage counter burned in); the final cut list (every cut with source reel and timecode); the change list (a record of every change since the previous turnover, especially important for ongoing parallel work in sound and VFX); the audio EDL (one EDL per dialogue/music/effect stem); the VFX shot list (every visual effects shot with handles, plate references, completion status); the music cue sheet (start and end timecodes for every music piece, license info); and the color reference (often the editor's temp grade or a colorist's pre-grade as a starting reference). Turnovers happen multiple times in feature workflows — temp turnover for early VFX work, picture lock turnover for full mix, and final turnover when picture is truly locked. Each turnover must be tracked because subsequent changes affect every downstream department's work. The post-production supervisor manages turnover paperwork, often using project tracking tools like Shotgrid, Aspera or specialized post-tracking apps.