CINAMATE documentation
Production guides
Practical software instructions for every stage of a film, from first intake through delivery.
Intake
Open the suite, create a production, and understand what is ready next.
- Start a production and navigate the suiteSign in, complete the First AD intake, and move between production rooms without blocking on unknown details.
- Manage projects, backups, and cloud copiesCreate named production slots, export portable backups, restore carefully, and understand the shared studio cloud.
- Read Workflow mission controlUse derived stage status, prep actions, and the generation board to identify the next verified task.
Develop
Turn source material into a structured screenplay and a visual plan.
- Develop a treatment in WriterImport treatment material, correct scene beats, and hand a Fountain draft to Studio.
- Import and break down a screenplayImport a screenplay into Studio, verify scene parsing, and build clips, characters, and locations.
- Build storyboards, shot lists, and key artSeed scenes, plan coverage, attach frames, and export production-facing visual documents.
Prep
Turn the breakdown into money, people, locations, sets, paperwork, and a shootable day.
- Estimate the production and export the Studio timelineRead the script-driven estimate as a model, correct its assumptions, and choose the right Studio turnover file.
- Build and protect the budget top sheetEnter line items, understand derived totals, seed from the script, and export exact figures.
- Build the stripboard, DOOD, and call sheetsSeed screenplay scenes, assign shoot days, learn pace from wrapped work, and issue day paperwork.
- Run casting and prepare sidesSeed speaking roles, manage candidates and holds, generate sides, and prepare offer terms.
- Build the location scout bookTurn screenplay locations into practical records for permits, power, safety, sun, and call sheets.
- Plan sets in 2D and 3DLay out a stage in feet, test camera coverage, and export plans or reference geometry.
- Break down props and wardrobeBuild department lists, record real quotes and actuals, and protect continuity evidence.
- Prepare safety, clearance, and deal recordsUse screenplay scans to start professional review, prepare paper, and avoid treating a planning record as approval.
- Use Mentor as a production journeyClassify the material, follow a phase-based checklist, and ask specialists when a connected advice runtime is available.
- Choose a production form honestlyRecord the actual format while respecting which dedicated estimate modes are currently exposed.
Shoot
Run the day, track actuals, and keep production records current.
- Run the day with Dailies and TodayBuild a dated shoot day, log takes and safety events, then publish reports and editor picks.
- Track commitments and actuals in Money RoomUse purchase orders and receipts to maintain a production cost report with a clear audit trail.
- Use the production tools libraryChoose the specialist register or utility that matches the job and export its record before handoff.
Post
Assemble picture, refine the cut, and export editorial handoffs.
- Build a cut in EditorLoad Studio renders or local media, assemble picture, and understand which edits ripple.
- Refine and hand off an editUse editorial assists deliberately, export review media, and verify interchange files before finishing.
Delivery
Plan post, clear release gates, and prepare handoffs for specialists and distributors.
- Plan post-production and releaseBuild a dated post plan, manage VFX and music evidence, screen the cut, and track release readiness.
Troubleshooting
Recover from missing guidance, incomplete prerequisites, and local-data limits.
- Use Crew guidance and recover blocked workCheck runtime availability, protect sensitive prompts, and use deterministic rooms when advice is unavailable.