The stop rules

The stop rules hold for every generating step: video, stills, voice and music (decided).

• Note it in your take log when a shot or asset passes its expected figure, with the diagnosis so far. For video, look at it again in the next batch review; for anything else, decide at once. Then continue.

• Stop at the ceiling. Write down the diagnosis and what you tried, then choose: simplify, re-plan, or change the method.

• Stop at the same failure twice. The diagnosis was wrong, so that method ends. Write the diagnosis down and choose another option.

• Stop at a second refusal of the same job. Never disguise identity, costume or content to get past a filter.

• Stop when the next job would pass the approved stage budget.

• For video, a stopped shot waits for the next batch review with its diagnosis and options; the other shots in the batch go on.

If someone on your team runs the generations, they note and stop by the same rules, and the choice comes back to you.

Lip-sync passes keep their own attempt rules (see Speaking shots and lip sync → Attempts and budget per line).

Sources

• This Guide's budgets and generation rhythm (see Planning, budgets and takes → Costs and the estimate and Planning, budgets and takes → The generation rhythm).