This class is a beginner-friendly introduction to the technical workflows behind modern digital filmmaking. It’s designed for anyone who wants to understand how camera footage is handled safely on set and how material moves from production into post.

Over three days (or five online sessions), participants learn the essential responsibilities of a Data Wrangler / Junior DIT: safely offloading camera media with checksum verification, organizing and validating metadata, creating viewing files and editorial proxies, and communicating clearly with the camera department and post-production.

The course combines theory and hands-on exercises using real camera media and industry-standard tools. Participants work through practical workflows that mirror real productions, building confidence through repetition and clear routines.

Class sizes are small, allowing plenty of time for questions and discussion.

No prior experience is required.

Software & Tools Used in the Course

Participants will work with a selection of commonly used industry tools:

  • Pomfort Silverstack Lab

  • Hedge Offshoot Pro

  • DaVinci Resolve

All exercises use real camera media and realistic production scenarios.

Course Structure

The course is divided into twelve chapters that follow the journey of camera media from set to post-production delivery.

Chapter 1 – Role & Workflow

An introduction to the role of the Data Wrangler / Junior DIT and how the position fits within the camera department and the wider production workflow.

Chapter 2 – Communication

Understanding how to communicate effectively with the camera team, sound, script supervisor, and post-production to ensure a smooth data workflow.

Chapter 3 – Data Management & Storage

Core principles of safe data handling, including checksum verification, backup strategies, storage systems, and real-world media workflows.

Chapter 4 – Metadata & Reports

How production metadata works, what information travels with media, and how reports help post-production understand the material.

Chapter 5 – Dailies

Creating viewing files for directors and production, understanding playback formats, syncing audio, and preparing dailies for distribution.

Chapter 6 – Editorial Prep

Preparing media for editorial by creating proxies, organizing files, and ensuring material can move smoothly into editing systems.

Chapter 7 – Color & Look

An introduction to color workflows including LUTs, CDL, and the basics of the ACES color pipeline.

Chapter 8 – VFX Prep

Understanding the reference material needed for visual effects work, including HDRI, lens grids, clean plates, and reference stills.

Chapter 9 – QC & Troubleshooting

Quality control techniques for checking media integrity, playback issues, and common problems encountered on set.

Chapter 10 – Professional Practice

Working professionally as a Data Wrangler / Junior DIT, including responsibilities, communication with post houses, and practical considerations such as kit and workflow expectations.

Chapter 11 – Wrap-up & Review

Reviewing the key concepts and workflows covered throughout the course.

Chapter 12 – Deliverables & Final Handoff

Understanding how to prepare and communicate a clean delivery of media, reports, and metadata to post-production.

You Will Learn

  • By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

    • Perform secure camera card offloads using checksum verification workflows

    • Implement the 3-2-1 backup principle using appropriate storage systems

    • Understand RAID levels, storage systems, cables, interfaces, and card readers
    • Organize media using clear folder structures, naming conventions, and reel management

    • Read and validate production metadata including timecode, slate, camera IDs, and LUT information

    • Generate and interpret data reports for post-production handoffs

    • Create viewing dailies and editorial proxy files with synced audio

    • Understand the difference between technical LUTs, creative looks, and CDL adjustments

    • Understand basic ACES-aware color pipelines

    • Recognize and manage VFX reference material such as HDRI, lens grids, and reference stills

    • Perform QC checks to identify corrupt media, playback issues, and workflow errors

    • Prepare clear handoff packages including OCF, metadata, reports, and editorial media

    • Professional practice: kit rates, gear responsibilities, invoicing basics

This class gives you the skills and confidence to manage digital camera media safely and professionally on set. You’ll learn how to avoid common mistakes, deliver clean and consistent data to post, and support the cinematographer’s workflow from the very first shoot day.

DT101 provides a solid foundation for anyone entering the camera or post department — and serves as the perfect stepping stone toward more advanced DIT and color-workflow training.

What You’ll Take Away

By the end of the course, participants will understand how digital camera media is safely handled on set and how to deliver clean, organized material to post-production.

The class provides a solid practical foundation for anyone interested in working as a Data Wrangler or Junior DIT, and is also valuable for assistants in the camera, post-production, or editorial departments who want to better understand modern digital workflows.

Developed in Collaboration With

This course was developed in collaboration with Film i Väst and Kulturakademin.


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