in the can
Meaning
(film, of a take) Having been shot and stored in a film can, or at the equivalent stage for a digital take.
(idiomatic, of a job or project) At a late stage of completion, generally when the actual work is done and some finalizing process must be undertaken.
Source: en.wiktionary.orgAntonyms
Examples
The reason we shot it was that the script was geared to Las Vegas and it was something commercial that we wanted to have in the can in case Butterfly was a success and we needed a follow-up.
Newlyweds shooting budget: 5k for actors, 2k insurance, 2k food and drink. 9k in the can. We only shot 12 days. That's how to make an independent film.
I didn't want to mask variations; I didn't want to record a path. I wanted to get the paint out of the can and onto the canvas... I tried to keep the paint as good as it was in the can.
Over in the UK, the music press can be brutal. They can say wonderful things about you one week, and the next week, you're in the can.
We recorded that trio and it's out on the Knitting Factory label. I've got another record in the can with that group and Marc, which I'll hopefully finish some time before next summer.
When the wine is in the man, the wit is in the can.