Confused on how to export an AAF

[NoviceUser85]

I'm working on my first very low budget feature, which now has a completed fine cut. I'm not incredibly confident with the technical side of filmmaking (at least at this level), but nevertheless was able to edit my film with the help of a couple of young assistants, who are currently unavailable.

We need an AAF file of all the sound, to hand over to the sound specialists. We'll also need a quicktime of the visuals along with burned in timecode, and a countdown with a 2 pop. Something will have to be repositioned, because the first frame is supposed to be at the one hour mark although it's currently at 0. 

The thing that confuses me, though, is the issue of sequences. Once my assistant and I finished the fine cut, he strung the individual sequences of scenes together into one larger sequence of the whole movie. But...this combined sequence only displays one combined audio track visually. So my first question is... will all of the audio files export properly from this sequence, or will they be merged somehow in the AAF?

How do you approach exporting AAF files for post work on audio? Am I correct that no audio effects (or even volume manipulations) should be rendered? Is there an easy way to turn them off for the export? 

I'm also supposed to add in offscreen lines from alternate takes underneath the original lines. Should I do this in the larger combined sequence, or in the original scene-sequences themselves?

Sorry if these are stupid questions

[PaulMurphy]

Congratulations on reaching the fine cut stage! Let me help you walk through this step-by-step:

1. Exporting an AAF from a Combined Sequence

Since your combined sequence currently shows only a single audio track (likely a nested sequence), you will need to unnest everything before creating your AAF:

• Disable the Nest button in the Timeline Panel (next to the Snap button under the timecode).
• Select each nested sequence in the timeline.
• Go to Sequence > Match Frame to load the nested sequence into the Source Monitor.
• Then use Clip > Overwrite to replace the nested clip with its original clips directly in the timeline.
  
  

Tip: Always back up your main sequence before unnested modifications, just in case you need to revert.

2. Best Practices for AAF Export for Audio Post

When preparing your AAF, it’s always best to speak directly with the sound team to confirm their specific requirements for:

• Audio file format
• Handle length (extra frames before/after each edit point)
• Whether they want embedded audio or separate linked files
  
  

If the AAF will be imported into Pro Tools, make sure to check the option Enable > Breakout to Mono during export.

Regarding audio effects:

• Volume keyframes (adjustments you’ve made to clip volumes) will transfer into the AAF.
• However, most audio effects (like reverb, EQ, etc.) will not carry over properly.
• In the AAF export settings, you can choose to render effects into the audio as well as provide clean, unaffected audio.

3. Adding Offscreen Lines

When adding offscreen dialogue lines from alternate takes, it’s best to:

• Add them directly into the larger combined sequence on a new, separate track.
• Lower their volume all the way down if you don’t want them audible yet, but do not disable the clips (using Clip > Enable), as disabled clips won’t be included in the AAF.

[NoviceUser85]

Thanks for your help...

It still isn't working, so far. I followed your steps seemingly correctly up until the point I clicked "overwrite." The first few tries, the original sequence (with visible audio) was added to the END of the timeline, even though the playhead was at the beginning and I was trying to replace the nested version of sequence number one. Then it started to just overwrite the very first frame of the project. So, the first sequence still looks the same, except that frame number one is somehow the very LAST frame of that first sequence!

I assume I'm selecting something wrong, or missing some intermediary step. Any advice?

[NoviceUser85]

I think I figured it out. After it added the sequence to the end of the timeline, I deselected the in/out buttons, which had highlighted the entire project. That was when it started to just replace the first frame.

I guess I had accidentally placed the "out" at the very beginning. I just set new in and out buttons for the first sequence, and it seemed to work. 

[R Neil Haugen]

Wow, you have one of the best people on the planet on this stuff answering your question ... and it's a great post to refer people to in the future!

[jamieclarke]

Hi @NoviceUser85 -  As Neil mentioned, it’s great to see the community coming together to help clarify your workflow questions.

If you haven’t already seen it, Adobe has put together a comprehensive workflow guide that you might find helpful

Best Practices and Workflow Guide for Long Form and Episodic Post Production