Definition
What is picture lock?
Picture lock is the formal stage when the edit’s visual content and timing are approved as final. After picture lock, the sequence is handed to finishing work such as color grading, sound mixing, captions, visual effects, and final delivery.
Locking picture does not mean that every job is complete. A locked edit may still need title design, audio cleanup, graphics, accessibility work, or an online conform. It means those specialists can work to stable timing, confident that their work will not be displaced by a new edit.
Small picture changes after lock are possible, but they are not free. Replacing one shot may require new color work, VFX updates, subtitle timing, sound changes, and revised exports. Productions therefore document the locked version and treat subsequent changes through a controlled approval process.
Example in the edit
The client approves a 90-second brand film with all shots and edit points fixed. The team then sends that locked timeline to the colorist and mixer, while only correcting factual typos in titles.
Why editors use it
Picture lock creates a reliable handoff between editorial and finishing. It limits cascading revisions, makes schedules and budgets more predictable, and protects quality in the final stages.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions about Picture lock
Can you change a video after picture lock?
Yes, but it is treated as a revision. The change may require corresponding updates to color, audio, captions, effects, and delivery files.
Is picture lock the same as final delivery?
No. Picture lock finalizes the edit; delivery happens after finishing, quality control, encoding, and export are complete.
What should be checked before picture lock?
Confirm the story, legal and factual content, shot choices, timing, graphics text, and any placeholders that could affect the finished sequence.