In short
- Raw footage is unedited: no cuts, colour work, music or titles.
- Clips are long, in many files, and often from several cameras and audio recorders.
- Files are large, so storage, transfer and a computer that can play them matter.
- Agree what is included and the format in the quote, before the event.
Raw footage is the unedited material straight from the cameras and recorders. It is useful if you plan to edit, archive or reuse it, but it is not a finished film and it asks more of your storage and software.
What is raw footage?
Raw footage is every clip recorded on the day, before an editor has done anything with it. There are no cuts between cameras, no colour work, no music, no titles and no clean-up of sound.
It is not the same as a highlight film or a full recording, which are edited. Those guides explain the choice between them.
What will you actually see and hear?
Expect:
- Long clips. A camera may run for the whole session, so the clip includes waiting and setup.
- Many files. Several cameras and breaks mean many files per day.
- Plain pictures. Colour and brightness may look flat or uneven.
- Mistakes and gaps. Refocusing, a passing guest, a lens being adjusted.
- Raw sound. Camera microphones capture the room, including noise and echo. A separate recorder or the venue’s feed may carry cleaner sound.
That is normal. It is material for an editor, not a film for guests to watch.
How is audio delivered?
Audio can come from several places, and your handover should say which are included:
| Source | What it is | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Camera audio | Sound recorded by the camera microphone | Reflects the room, so can be noisy |
| Separate recorder | A microphone placed near a speaker or on a person | Needs matching to the video |
| Venue feed | A feed from the venue’s sound system | Depends on what the venue can provide |
Ask which sources are delivered, how files are named, and whether they were synchronised. The audio brief builder helps you plan sound before the day.
Why are raw files so large?
Video is recorded at high quality so editors have room to adjust. Long events and several cameras add up quickly, and a single day can fill a large drive. The storage and transfer calculator helps you estimate space and the time to copy files.
Plan three things:
- Where it is stored. An external drive, a company server or cloud storage.
- How it is transferred. A drive handed over, or an upload link, and whether your internet can handle it.
- How long it is kept. And who keeps a second copy.
What do you need to play and use it?
Some camera formats play easily. Others need a recent computer or editing software to open smoothly. Before the event, ask:
- Which format will be delivered?
- Can I open a sample file on the computer that will be used?
- Do I need specific software?
- Will I receive a lighter preview version for quick viewing?
Is raw footage the same as project files?
No. Raw footage is the source clips. Project files are the editor’s working documents that link clips into a timeline. See raw camera footage versus editing project files to decide which you need.
When is raw footage worth asking for?
It is worth it if your team has its own editor, if an agency wants to rework the material, or if your organisation must keep an original record. If you only want to watch the event, a highlight film or full recording is easier to handle.
What we confirm for your event
- Whether raw footage is in the quote, and for which cameras and sessions.
- When and how it is handed over.
- The format and the audio files you receive.
- Any limits on how you may use it.
- How files are organised and named so someone else can use them.
Use the archive and handover planner to write the handover down, and the event video selector if you are not sure what to ask for. For editing existing footage, see our event video editing service.
If you want raw footage, tell us why you need it and who will use it. We can confirm what to deliver for your event and how it will be handed over.
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