Last Updated 3 months ago
Definition
Dailies (also called rushes) are the raw, unedited footage shot during a production day, typically processed and made available for viewing the following day. Dailies are reviewed by the Director, Cinematographer, Producer, and key creative stakeholders to ensure the footage meets the creative, technical, and narrative goals of the project.
Dailies are not about judging the final edit—they’re about confirming that what’s being captured on set is usable, consistent, and aligned with the intended vision.
Purpose of Dailies
Dailies serve as a quality control checkpoint between production and post-production. They allow the creative team to catch problems early—before sets are struck, actors are released, or locations are lost.
Dailies are used to evaluate:
- Performance quality
- Focus and exposure
- Lighting continuity
- Camera movement and framing
- Sound sync and clarity
- Technical issues (noise, artifacts, camera errors)
If something critical is wrong, the team can schedule pickups or reshoots while it’s still feasible.
How Dailies Are Created
On Film Productions
Traditionally, exposed film is sent to a lab overnight where it is:
- Developed
- Transferred to video (telecine)
- Synced with sound
- Delivered as screening files or reels
This is the origin of the term “dailies”—they were literally processed daily.
On Digital Productions
Modern digital dailies are generated by the DIT or post-production team and typically include:
- Color-managed viewing LUTs
- Basic syncing with production sound
- Metadata (scene, take, lens, notes)
- Secure online access via cloud platforms
Despite faster turnaround, the review process remains largely the same.
Who Watches Dailies
- Director: Evaluates performance and storytelling
- Cinematographer: Checks exposure, color, lighting, and camera movement
- Producer: Confirms coverage, schedule efficiency, and overall progress
- Editor (sometimes): Begins assessing usable material
- Studio / Network (on larger projects): May receive curated dailies
Dailies are typically reviewed privately—critiquing performances publicly is avoided.
What Dailies Are Not
- They are not edited scenes
- They are not final color
- They are not meant to reflect the finished film
Judging dailies as a finished product is a rookie mistake. Their purpose is verification, not polish.
Why Dailies Matter
Dailies protect the production. They catch mistakes early, reinforce creative alignment, and provide confidence that the project is on track. Skipping or rushing dailies review is one of the fastest ways to end up with costly reshoots—or worse, an unfixable problem discovered too late.
Related Terms
- Rushes – Alternate term for dailies
- DIT – Manages digital image workflow
- Playback – Reviewing footage on set
- Assembly Cut – First edited version built from dailies