Squeeze Pass

final editing pass, particularly in network television, performed just before locking picture to meet a precise runtime requirement (e.g., 21:30). Described by editor David Helfand, this involves shaving off small, seemingly insignificant amounts of time (e.g., 5-12 frames) from various shots, pauses, or transitions throughout the program. The goal is to accumulate the necessary time reduction by distributing tiny trims that are individually imperceptible.