When Grit Productions needed a comprehensive post solution for their Kubota campaign, they turned to Sawtooth’s Chris Salters for on-set editorial guidance and full offline post production support. The project, shot at ThorSport Farm in Murfreesboro, TN, would span 3 weeks and require delivering nearly 70 videos in English and French – the kind of complex project that demands seamless workflow integration and proven systems.
Maximizing Production Value Through On-Set Editing
Unlike the quick-delivery on-set editing scenario with ArtClass, this project required a more strategic approach. While the client needed initial cuts during the first week of shooting, the real value came from establishing an efficient pipeline that would streamline the entire post-production process. By implementing robust organizational systems from day one, the post team could begin editing immediately rather than spending precious time organizing footage once landing back in Texas.
Beyond Traditional Roles: Adding Value Through Technical Integration
The lines between editor, data wrangler, and DIT blurred on this commercial shoot. For this project, combining editorial and data management roles created a more efficient workflow. While a dedicated DIT focuses on creating proxies and establishing color looks with the DP, having an editor handle data management meant someone intimately familiar with the project’s post-production needs was organizing and cutting footage from the moment it was shot.
Bulletproof Systems for Complex Projects
The technical infrastructure had to be rock-solid. The solution: dual 72TB Thunderbolt 3 G-Speed Shuttles in RAID 5 configuration connected to an M1 MacBook Pro – a setup that could handle massive amounts of data while ensuring redundancy. Using Hedge for offloading meant bit-perfect copies across drives, while Free File Sync kept proxies and other post files synchronized.
Streamlining Through Smart Organization
With A and B camera units consisting of multiple cameras, plus various types of drone footage, media management could have become a nightmare. A clear organizational system using day, unit number, and camera designation kept files in check. Then a simple low-tech solution using color-coded Post-it notes and gaff tape for memory card tracking prevented costly mistakes during fast-paced media offloads.
Optimizing Performance Through Smart Proxy Solutions
For projects of this scale, proxy creation is a must. The Kubota project relied on various Sony cameras (Fx9, Fx6, Fx3, a7s), 8K RED Raptor plates, and DJI Inspire 3 drone footage – all shooting in 4K, UHD, or above. Sony’s MXF codec particularly taxes editing systems, making proxy creation essential for efficient post-production.
The solution: custom proxy settings at half resolution (2048×1080 or 1920×1080) in ProRes Proxy, paired with the dual G-drive setup allowed for simultaneous proxy creation and footage logging. This approach eliminated downtime, keeping the editorial process moving even during resource-intensive media management tasks.
Maximizing Search Efficiency Through Metadata Management
Strong metadata management translates directly to faster turnaround times and lower post-production costs. After implementing a custom LUT developed by DP Mark Haynes through Premiere Pro’s Color Management system, the Sawtooth team established a comprehensive logging system for the Grit production:
- Log Notes for tractor product lines
- Descriptions for quick searchable details about clips
- Comments for specific equipment and tractor model numbers
- Scenes noted time of day, and English versus French takes
This detailed organization allowed editors to instantly filter thousands of clips down to the few that they needed, reducing footage search times and maximizing creative editing time.
Solving the Multilingual Challenge
With half the deliverables requiring French Canadian versions, the post team implemented an innovative AI-powered workflow to streamline the translation process. Rather than hiring translators or struggling through manual caption creation, they leveraged Premiere Pro’s auto-transcribe function combined with EditingTools.io‘s translation capabilities. This automated approach:
- Reduced translation costs
- Accelerated the editing process
- Allowed English-speaking editors to work with French content, before being passed to a single fluent French-speaking editor for final review.
Technical Challenges Accepted
Between managing data and creating initial edits, the team tackled complex post-production challenges in real-time. When footage needed stabilization due to the natural vibration of heavy machinery, they went beyond standard solutions, like Premiere Pro’s Warp Stabilizer effect. Instead we employed Mocha Pro‘s planar tracking capabilities for upgraded granular stabilization results.
Delivering Results at Scale
The strategic combination of on-set organization and post-production expertise yielded quick and lasting results. Within the first week of shooting we delivered a 3-minute flagship product overview video and VFX-driven rough cut, followed by 4 additional edits. The entire Kubota campaign culminated with successfully delivering nearly 70 individual videos across two languages.
The Power of Integrated Solutions
Sawtooth is here to plane down complex commercial projects into simple post-production executions through strategic workflow. By combining our on-set presence with proven systems and technical expertise, the team delivered a streamlined experience for Grit Productions that saved time, reduced stress, and ensured consistent quality across a massive deliverable list.
The success of the Kubota project showcases the value of choosing a post partner who understands both the technical and human elements of large-scale commercial production. When workflows are this well-orchestrated, clients can focus on their creative vision while knowing the technical details are handled with precision and care.
