Archive for the ‘ Video Editing ’ Category

Dynamic Trimming in FCPX – Video Tutorial

With all of the negativity around FCPX, I figured it was time to really look closely at how trimming can be performed in FCPX and Avid.  This walkthrough of using the trimming commands during playback shows that maybe FCPX isn’t so bad after all.  Look forward to another video coming soon on how similar trimming is in Avid to FCPX.

Dynamic Trim in FCPX from Chadwick Shoults on Vimeo.

 
Shortcut References:

shift + x = extend edit (edit during playback, dynamic)
; and ‘ = go to prev and next edit
[ and ] and \ = selects the type of trim operation (single roller, dual roller)
, and . = nudging 1 frame (use shift to x10 the change)
option and [ = top edit
option and ] = tail edit
command + b = add edit (cut)
t = only really used for slip and slide (not changing durations)
x = selects range between 2 cuts

2013
04/18
CATEGORY
FCPX
Final Cut Pro
Post Production Workflow
Tutorial
Video Editing
3 comments

Philip Hodgetts on FCP 7 to X

Although I did a quick tutorial on how to use the software, Philip did a run through and I always think it’s always best to hear about products from the developers themselves.  Here it is from LAFCPUG.

2012
03/01
CATEGORY
FCPX
Final Cut Pro
Post Production Workflow
Video Editing
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Forgot your Camera Manual? This is built in!

Have you ever been out on a shoot and on location not remembering how a camera setting works?  For years I have been told and telling people to carry THE CAMERA MANUAL with them whenever they shoot.  It will come in handy.

Anyway, you can almost forget that advice with the newest version of Magic Lantern because…

The manual is built into the camera software now!  Ingenious!  This quick video will show you how to access it for those head scratching moments.

As always you can download the latest version of this miracle software here -

http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/Unified

2011
11/07
CATEGORY
DIY
HDSLR
Magic Lantern
Post Production Workflow
Tutorial
Video Editing
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Compositing LCD Texture to Computer Screens in After Effects

First off, if you haven’t seen the documentary “Catfish” you really should rent it.  It’s a funny look at a quirky love story that developed over Facebook.  Because a lot of the communication of that film happens with computer screens, they decided to do something cool to give it texture.  It’s almost like a color grade for computer screens.  I love the way it worked in the film so I had to figure out how to do it myself.

I tried shooting close ups with a video camera of LCD screens, which doesn’t give you much control.  We also tried using a simple grid created in photoshop and composited that which also didn’t look real.  Anyways, it turns out there is a great script available from aescripts.com that does just the job (and really good to boot).

LCD effect can be downloaded here and is a simple file script that runs in After Effects.  The only tweak that I recommend is to also place a copy of the “computer screen” image on top of the effect stack and dial the transparency to 90% or so.  This will give you the desired texture, but still make it legible.

Thank you to llcheesell for making this so easy for everyone!

2011
10/28
CATEGORY
After Effects
Expressions
Post Production Workflow
Video Editing
1 comment

Netflix Splits DVD and Streaming to Create Qwikster

Today, in what was probably the worst time for Netflix, they announced they are creating a new brand to split their DVD and online streaming services.  This news comes right after users (like myself) have dealt with increased pricing and the loss of their major online content provider – Starz.

You can make judgements for yourself on the deal, but this continues to solidify my understanding of the near future – DVDs will be dead (and soon).  Netflix has kept their bread and butter, powerful brand name with the streaming service.  They have given an aging DVD platform a dot com bust name like Qwikster so that when it dies – it will have less association with its’ parent company.


I know, I know, everyone is up in arms with the price changes and the lack of current content.  I believe it is only a matter of a few months before Netflix streaming signs some other great deals to get premium shows again.  People forget that it was Starz that got greedy (not Netflix).  Netflix reportedly offered 300 million, which was 10x the original contract to Starz and then Starz rejected it.

Anyway, for me and my family – I will stick with Netflix until Starz runs out at the end of February 2012, and then play it by ear.  One thing is for certain – I will never sign up for DirecTV, Dish Network, or Comcast TV service ever again.

2011
09/19
CATEGORY
Compression
Netflix
Online Video
Video Editing
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Recognize and Fix Distorted Video in Final Cut Pro

Ok. Here is the problem -

We have a great shot in an edit from “The Searchers” but it was incorrectly transcoded, inserted into an edit or just misinterpreted by Final Cut Pro.  How do we know it is wrong?  Because people are taller and skinnier than they should be!  Your eyes have been studying how things should look since you were 2 years old.  Something should pop out at you and say – “Hey that looks funny“.  Another way to spot this error is to look for things that should be circles.  Are they still circles?  If not, there is definitely a distorted aspect ratio that MUST be fixed in order to be taken seriously as an editor.

So now that you spotted something wrong, here is how you fix it:

  • Double click to load the clip in the viewer
  • Click on the motion tab and go to the distort, “aspect ratio” brick
  • Use one of these “magic” numbers to resolve proper resolution. -33.33, 0, or 33.33
  • Try each of the “magic” numbers until it looks correct.  99 times out of 100 one of these will be the perfect adjustment to viewing the shot how it was supposed to be viewed.  For that 1 other time, well adjust till it looks like the real world in your eyes.

After adjusting the famous Searchers clips above to -33.33 you can see that things are more the way things are in reality.  This keeps us from thinking in the back of our minds – “hey that looks funny”.

One final side tip is this.  If you are unsure about if it is wrong, then try one of the “magic” numbers and see if it gets more or less pleasing to you.  If all of the adjustments are worse, then you were good from the start.

Happy wide-screening!

2011
05/25
CATEGORY
Final Cut Pro
Video Editing
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