Tabular record of all takes shot in a scene — camera setups, lengths, take numbers, rejected footage. Postproduction's foundation.
Sequence Log
While you are on set and the camera is rolling, the 1st AC or the Production Assistant simultaneously documents every single shot in a sequence log — this is the business card of your shooting days for post-production. It is not an artistic matter, but pure work hygiene: every take gets a number, the duration is recorded, the camera parameters are noted, and whether the material is usable or has errors.
The practice is simple, but accuracy is crucial. For each sequence, you note the scene and shot number, the lens used (focal length), the aperture, and the shutter setting if necessary. Then follow the takes themselves — with start and end timecode, the exact duration, and a brief description: "Focus on face," "Camera move blurry," "Talent error," or "OK." On set, you use the log to quickly see: Which take was the best? What was too short? Did we have to repeat?
In post-production, the sequence log becomes the editor's instruction manual — it saves hours synchronizing picture and sound, and organizing the rushes. The editor can see at a glance that take 7 is longer, but take 5 has the better performance. At the same time, the log serves archiving and management: if regrading or color corrections are still necessary months later, you can find the exact take, the shot number, even the original camera settings.
Some sets still use analog notebooks, modern productions work with special logging software or simply with Google Sheets — but the structure remains identical. The crucial point: the sequence log is your communication with the future of the film. A poorly maintained log destroys efficiency in post, a good one saves time and money. Therefore: work accurately, don't take shortcuts, and when in doubt, it's better to write one line too many than one too few.