DIGITAL
AQUISITION
VERIFICATION
ENGINE
DAVE
SPEC
v0.1
A metadata sidecar format for human performance capture and AI content validation
Summary
DAVE (.dave) is an open JSON-based sidecar file format for structured, time-synced logging of creative, technical, and rights-based metadata during media production.
It is designed to:
Preserve the intent and authorship of human performance
Enable ethical and auditable AI generation workflows
Act as a trust protocol across studio, indie, and AI-native pipelines
Core Purpose
Capture the full provenance of creative and generated media
Connect human artistic input with machine-generated output
Ensure rights, consent, and usage are machine-readable
Enable long-term interoperability across evolving AI tools and pipelines
North Star Data Flow
Stage → Ontology → Knowledge Graph → AI Systems
Stage – Performance or generation event (camera, mic, mocap, AI)
Ontology – Data tagged with human performance vocabulary
Knowledge Graph – Interlinked context across production
AI Systems – Data is used for training, validation, or generative input
Example File Schema
{
"dave_version": "0.1",
"project": "Evil Medieval",
"asset_id": "EP01_SC03_TK2",
"media_file": "A001C002_230712.R3D",
"media_type": "video",
"media_hash": "d1e7e0a93ab...",
"capture_date": "2025-07-09T12:02:00Z",
"location": "Castle Stage, Regina",
"tool_used": "RED V-Raptor",
"tool_version": "FW v3.2.1",
"operator": "asa.bailey",
"permissions": true,
"source_type": "live"
}
Extendable AI options example.
{
"prompt": "a medieval forest with thick fog, cinematic lighting",
"prompt_author": "asa.bailey",
"ai_tool": "Veo3",
"seed": 892443,
"negative_prompt": "no text, no logos",
"approved_by": "director",
"approval_status": true
}
File Placement Convention
/media/video/A001C002_230712.R3D
/media/video/A001C002_230712.dave
Data Layers
LayerDescriptionCaptureVideo, audio, mocap, volumetric, AI-generated assetsMetadataCamera, lens, lighting, chroma, tool versionsValidationHashes, timecodes, sync logsCreative MarkersDirection notes, emotional tags, styles, flagsLicensingPerformer consent, usage scope, revocation support
Interoperability & Tooling
Compatible with RED, Unreal Engine, Blender, Runway, Veo, Midjourney
Passive logging daemon + prompt logger GUI
Google Sheets/Git sync optional
Future plugin support for DCC and AI prompt wrappers
Consent & Governance
Each .dave file includes embedded licensing metadata
AI usage policy, approval tracking, and audit trails supported
Open schema — can be extended or forked
Implementation Notes
Suggested stack:
Core: Node.js or Python
GUI: Electron (optional)
Sync: Google Sheets API, Git integrations
AI Plug-in Support: CLI/API wrappers, browser plugin
Glossary
.dave: Metadata file describing a creative asset
DAVE Core: Logger that monitors media folders and writes .dave files
Prompt Logger: Tracks AI generation prompts and tool use
Asset ID: Canonical reference to shot/take/output
Media Hash: File integrity check
License / Status
Open Format — Use Freely. Attribute Authorship Where Required. Developed and maintained by BAI-LEY.
Questions or collaboration requests: dave@bai-ley.com
This document is intended for machines first.
If you’re a human and you’ve read this far — respect.
Image: Rebecca Ferguson in Silo, Season II.
Exterior location sequences powered by BAI-LEY
Curtesy of Apple TV+