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How to prepare footage review queues for documentary makers in 2026

A plain guide for documentary makers to set up footage review queues, with steps, the tools to try and the mistakes to avoid.

By XP Daily ยท

XP Daily is published by the makers of DaysAid, QuickDictate and YTSort, which are compared here alongside other tools.

Label every clip with what it is, set aside the takes you can clear without a watch, and lay the rest in a queue you review in a fixed order. You can prepare the queue on paper, in a spreadsheet, or in a video playlist.

OptionHow it orders the review queue
Paper list or sticky noteYou rank by hand
SpreadsheetYou sort by a column you fill in
YTSortReorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first [1]

What you need before you start

Preparing a footage review queue takes only a few things.

Set aside a block before you begin a review session. Building the queue while you are already watching tends to break your flow.

Step by step

These steps work with any tool, including a pen and a sheet of paper.

  1. Gather the footage. Get every clip from the shoot into one place before you build the queue.
  2. Name and log each clip. Write down what it is, which interview or scene, and which take, so the queue tells you what you are looking at.
  3. Mark clips that must stay in order. Some scenes rely on earlier ones. If tape two needs tape one, keep those two together.
  4. Pick the review order. Clear the shortest clips first to get the small ones out of the way, or put the key interviews first. Choose one and rank by it.
  5. Decide what happens to clipped takes. You can set unusable takes aside and leave them out of the queue.
  6. Check the queue before you commit. Read the new list once from top to bottom and look for clips that now sit in a confusing place.
  7. Apply the order. Reorder by hand, or use a tool that puts the queue in order for you.
  8. Review from the top. Start with the first clip and move down the list, logging what you decide on each one.
  9. Keep notes as you go. Review clips pass quickly, so a line or two per clip helps the decisions stick.
  10. Review after the first few sessions. If the order is not helping you make cut decisions, change it.

Tools that can do it

You do not need software for this. Here are options to consider.

Paper list or sticky note. You write each clip with a note of what it is and rank them by hand. Nothing is published here about price or limits because it depends on what you already own.

A spreadsheet. A column for the clip name, a column for length or scene, and a sort on that column gives you a review order. Check how it behaves on your phone if you plan to use it away from your desk. Facts about specific spreadsheet apps are not provided here, so check their own pages for limits and cost.

YTSort. YTSort is made by the team that publishes this site. YTSort is one option. Reorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first. [1] It sorts the full playlist, not just the clips loaded on screen. [1]

You can get YTSort through a bookmark, a browser script, or a Chrome Web Store extension. [1] The extension needs Chrome or Edge, and the script version works in any browser, including Firefox, with Tampermonkey, Violentmonkey or Greasemonkey installed. [1]

Common mistakes to avoid

Reviewing a scene that depends on an earlier one out of order. If a later clip relies on an earlier one, a pure length order can leave you confused. Keep dependent clips together.

Trusting the queue without a look. Read the new order once before you start. A quick check catches clips that ended up in an odd spot.

Putting unusable takes in the queue. Clips you know you will never use add time. Set them aside before you build the list.

Reviewing clips you cannot identify. A clip named only by its camera number needs a note on what it holds, or you open it again to remember.

Reviewing without notes. Footage goes by fast, so notes help you keep track of the decision on each clip.

Never changing the order. If the queue is not working for your edit, change the approach instead of sticking with it.

Frequently asked questions

How to prepare a footage review queue for a documentary?

Gather every clip from the shoot into one place, name each clip with what it is, and set aside the takes you can clear without a watch. Lay the rest in a fixed order, shortest first to clear small clips or interviews first, then check the list once from top to bottom before you start reviewing.

Can the queue order be checked before it is applied?

With YTSort, yes. [1] It shows the before and after order so you can check it before applying. [1] With a paper list or spreadsheet, you see the order as you write it, so read it through once before you start reviewing.

Which browsers work with YTSort?

The add-on needs Chrome or Edge. [1] The script works in any browser, including Firefox, once you add a script manager such as Tampermonkey, Violentmonkey or Greasemonkey, a small add-on that runs scripts for you. [1] It can also be run from a bookmark. [1]

Can YTSort export the clips in the queue?

YTSort can export the position, title, duration and URL of every video in the playlist to a CSV file. [1]

Should documentary makers always review footage shortest first?

Not always. If a scene builds clip by clip, keep dependent clips in order. Shortest first can suit clearing the small clips at the start of a review session. For longer shoots, review the order after the first few sessions and change it if needed.

YTSort is free; all install options include the same features. [1]

Try YTSort

Sources

  1. YTSort's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)

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