• The exchange of images between finishing facilities and VFX vendors critically influences the quality, schedule, and cost of VFX work. 
• Guidelines aim to maximize image quality and reduce ambiguity, based on broad experience but adaptable to project needs. 
• GEM Post Production Management and VFX contacts are available for support. ● Refer to GEM Post Production Branded Delivery Specifications for comprehensive VFX delivery specs. 

Camera & Framing 

• Framing charts must be shared among all vendors to ensure consistent resolution, framing, and pixel accuracy throughout the imaging pipeline. ● A chart per sensor mode should document both native sensor resolution and intended active image resolution(s). 
• Lens distortion charts per lens type and sensor mode are strongly recommended for camera testing, especially where 3D tracking is significant. 

VFX Pulls 

• VFX pulls must include dailies color reference (QuickTime or frames), CDLs, and LUTs used in dailies to help editorial VFX proxies match originals. 
• Debayering should be done at DI facility or aligned vendor to avoid inconsistencies and applied to a standard color space like ACES. 
• Mixed color spaces should be clearly communicated and tracked by the pull facility. 

Aspect Ratio, Cropping & Scaling 

• Vendors and Post/VFX Supervisors should align on cropping and reframing plans. 
• Scaling methodology must be standardized across vendors for pixel-level consistency.

• Framing charts must demonstrate scaling and cropping for plate resolutions. ● Step-by-step instructions should be given to reach final delivery resolution from any plate resolution. 

Image Resolution 

• VFX pulls and deliveries should have an active image area of at least UHD (3840 pixels wide). 
• For anamorphic, vendors must confirm squeeze status with DI facility. ● Working resolution must be equal or greater than delivery resolution. 

Color Pipeline 

• Color pipeline communication and establishment are mandatory, including round-trip testing among VFX vendors, Editorial, and DI to ensure consistency. ● Pre-grading plates baked in are discouraged; pre-grade files should be provided as sidecars (.cc, .cdl). 
• Balancing/neutral grading should use debayered plates in scene-referred color space with reversible corrections via CDL parameters. 

Editorial 

• Editorial provides proxy media specs for VFX proxy delivery differing from studio review formats. 
• DI facility assists in correct CDL/LUT application for color accuracy. ● Proxy QuickTimes only for reference and reviews, not final delivery or conform. 

VFX Delivery, Archival & Wrap 

• VFX vendors receive specs including image container and compression type from DI facility; confirmed by production team. 
• Final delivery to DI is ungraded shots. 
• Supervisors monitor delivery conformance for quality alignment with non-VFX shots. 
• VFX materials uploaded to GEM Content Hub Workspaces per VFX Operations instructions.
• Naming restrictions: only alphanumeric, period, underscore, hyphen allowed; no spaces or duplicates. 
• For series, archival material delivered as episodes finalize via Content Hub. ● Texted graphic shots may require associated project files, textless versions, and mattes for localization; verify with Post Production Supervisor.