Chronological assembly of all clips from a scene without cuts — the first raw pass before editing begins.
Technical Details
A typical string out contains takes of 8-15 seconds in length for dialogue scenes, with each take being inserted completely from the first usable frame to the last. In Avid Media Composer, string outs are created with 1-frame dissolves between takes by default to avoid hard cuts. The total running time is usually 300-500% longer than the planned final length of the scene. Modern NLE systems create automatic string outs through batch import with timecode synchronization of script notes.
History & Development
The string out developed in the 1920s in Hollywood studios as a standardized workflow between dailies review and the first cut. Pioneer editor Hal Ashby refined the process in 1965 on "The Cincinnati Kid" through systematic take evaluation during the string out. With the introduction of Steenbeck editing tables in 1968, the process was optimized through multi-track display. In 1989, the first fully computer-aided string out creation via the EditDroid system was realized digitally on "Let It Ride."
Practical Application in Film
For "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015), editor Margaret Sixel created separate string outs for each of the 480 action sequence setups to structure the complex vehicle choreography. Comedies like "The Grand Budapest Hotel" use extended string outs with alternative improvisation takes on separate tracks. The workflow includes: material import, script notes matching, chronological arrangement, sync verification, and export for the director. Advantage: complete material overview; disadvantage: no dramaturgical evaluation.
Comparison & Alternatives
The string out differs from the assembly cut by lacking take selection and from the rough cut by having an unedited cutting rhythm. Selects reels show only the best takes, while string outs present the complete material chronologically. Modern AI-based tools like Adobe's SenseiCut have been creating automatic "Smart String Outs" since 2019 with pre-selected takes based on sharpness, exposure, and audio quality. In low-budget productions, the switch is often made directly from the string out to the assembly cut to save time.