My personal, post-production list usually includes the following and in that order:
1. Give myself at least a week off and away from the project.
2. Start watching the footage and making notes.
3. Start choosing the takes I like the most.
4. If I edit myself, start assembling scenes.
5. Start assembling sequences.
6. During the editing process, I’m either already working with the sound designer and the composer, or I’m looking for one. I usually have a sample of a piece of music I like and send it to the composer for inspiration. We exchange emails or meet up if we work in the same city. It is an ongoing collaboration and one I cherish a lot.
7. While working with the composer and closing the final cut, I’m already in talks with a colour correction artist (colourist). We exchange emails and agree on the look for the film.
8. If I have the budget I hire someone for the opening and closing credits. If I don’t, I do it myself. I like simplicity when it comes to credits, and this is what you usually find in my films.
9. I’m starting to make a list of film festivals and the festival deadlines.
10. I prepare all the information and visuals for the press kit (synopsis, one-liner, bio, etc.)
11. If I work on a feature film before I even start editing, I already make a list of ideas I want to use in my ideal release plan and work out a strategic plan.
Don’t get me wrong; something always may and usually does go awry, and what was meant to take a week, takes up to two months to finish, but this is the perks of working independently and with minimal budgets.
The list above demonstrates what I usually do while in post-production. However, some directors don’t edit themselves or don’t deal with any of the marketing and promotional materials. It is really up to that director’s working style.