VFX Naming and Workflows

MovieLabs and the Entertainment Technology Center at the University of Southern California (ETC@USC) have published best practices for naming the multitude of frame files that are inputs and outputs from the VFX process, such as “plates” and “comps”. Prior to the publication of this specification, there were a multitude of naming schemes, resulting in confusion and miscommunication.

The specification is part of MovieLabs’ initiative laying the foundations for better software-defined workflows as described in the 2030 Vision. MovieLabs will continue to collaborate with important industry groups like the ETC to develop other critical elements of the 2030 Vision.