Crossword Genius

Stage in preparation of shot, say, in local (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

negative

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'stage in preparation of shot' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'say in local' is the wordplay.
'say' becomes 'eg' (both can mean 'for example').
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'local' becomes 'native' (relating to a particular area).
'eg' put inside 'native' is 'NEGATIVE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for negative that I've seen before include "Less than zero, minus" , "Not positive - denial" , "Opposite of affirmative" , "image for a developer" , "This required for development" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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