5 Common Post-Production Delays (and How to Fix Them)

Post should move fast. But in the real world? Not always.

Rounds drag on. Notes get vague. “Final” becomes “Final_v8_2_Really_FINAL.” You’re trying to hit a moving target — and it’s costing time and sanity.

At Workprint, we’ve seen where things go sideways. So here’s a breakdown of five common post-production delays and how to keep your timeline (and your team) on track.

1. Missing Creative Direction Up Front

No brief? No tone reference? No goal? You’re asking your post team to guess.

Fix it: A short kickoff (even 15 minutes) with references and clear goals saves days of back-and-forth.

2. Too Many Stakeholders, Too Late

The creative lead signs off… until the CMO jumps in at the final hour.

Fix it: Get final decision-makers involved early — even passively. A quick heads-up now = fewer fire drills later.

3. Loose File Organization

Unnamed footage. Unlabeled assets. A drive called “EDIT_3_FINAL_FINAL_MAYBE.”

Fix it: Keep your footage, assets, and docs clean. We love a solid folder structure almost as much as a good export.

4. Vague Feedback

“Can we make it pop more?” Cool — but what does that actually mean?

Fix it: Timecode-specific notes, references, or even a quick Loom video go a long way. We can’t read your mind (yet).

5. Waiting for Perfection Before Sharing

Teams often wait too long to share a cut, hoping to “clean it up” first.

Fix it: Share early and often. A rough pass gets the ball rolling and surfaces notes before anyone’s too attached.

🎯 Final Thoughts on Avoiding Post-Production Delays:

Post-production delays happen — but they don’t have to derail your entire timeline. With the right process, clear feedback, and a partner that actually listens (👋), post can feel fast, collaborative, and even… kinda fun?

Want a post team that keeps things moving?👉 See how we work