An open-ended and (hopefully) fun FCS2 question. at DVinfo.net

Carl Middleton · December 22nd, 2007, 09:52 AM

Hey guys,

I'm a PPro guy making the transition to FCS2. I'm babysitting a suite for the next 10 days with a decent sized project to keep me busy - the main goal being to hop in and learn some software. My background is in programming/web design/etc so I'm quite fast at picking up applications - so here is my question:

I am taking this project from start to finish, and want to utilize as many parts of the FCS2 suite as possible - while learning how to make them effective tools for speed-oriented production. I am currently planning on utilizing Color, Motion, and Soundtrack, but I am not sure if I will be able to continue to use them on paid production work unless I can produce results with them in a similar time to the base edits available in FCP. Any suggestions to build a solid, fast workflow? I'm a big fan of heavy color grading, and trying to force myself into being an audio guy. ;)

Any hints or pointers to resources for this kind of stuff appreciated! This is my first major foray into Mac Life. I have until February to be able to fly through FCS2. ;)

Also, any suggestions for "ooooh... COOL!" features I may have overlooked appreciated as well! I very well might be overlooking some of the best stuff that these programs have to offer. I have 10 days babysitting a Mac Pro Quad/Dual Monitor/Beta&MiniDV deck/etc etc machine.... I really want to make the best use of it I possibly can!

Carl

James Brill · December 22nd, 2007, 01:42 PM

try the new steadicam thing that final cut has. It takes forever to render and you could probably do it better in after effects but eh. Also there are the new pro res codecs and what not. I came from PP2 also and I don't see too many differences in the way everything works except the fact that exporting files is a lot easier and less painful. You are still dealing with a NLE that plays around with mpegs.

Carl Middleton · December 22nd, 2007, 04:05 PM

Ohh, I forgot about the steady move thing or whatever... will definitely check that out!

Carl Middleton · December 23rd, 2007, 10:16 PM

I thought the last part of that would spark a bit more interest... so here's a new question for yas:

What is your favorite aspect of FCS2? What do you really like about it, and think deserves more attention?

C

David Tindale · January 2nd, 2008, 02:38 AM

Hi Carl,

I'm self taught(with a little help from my friends) onFCPS1 and the way I got my head around it (apart from jumping in the deep end) was using the Apple Pro training series of books. They come with tutorial hands one exercises that make it very easy to get to grips with the "logic" of the software and therefore easy to intuit where functions or effects ect might be.

I might be teaching you to suck eggs, but a couple of good websites for are 2-pop.com and Ken Stone ( just google the name).

Hope that is helpful for you

David

Neil Rostance · January 3rd, 2008, 05:15 AM

Just a thought!

A lot of people are saying the SmoothCam feature takes ages to Render...and this is true, but it's only because even if you apply it to an edited clip on the time-line, it still analyzes your source clip in your project folder.

So you may only want SmoothCam on your 10 second clip in sequence, but if that clip comes from an hour long clip in the source folder, then you have a LONG render times.

What i do is to subclip my chosen clips to SmoothCamify, and then re-import them back into the sequence, bingo, very quick render times and controlled filters only on the clips i want.

Obviously i may be doing this compeltely wrong....but just wanted to put rest to the whole "takes ages to render' side of things.

Dylan Pank · January 3rd, 2008, 06:54 AM

Carl,

if you want to really be an FCP guru, get into media management. It's probably the least glamourous but very important aspect.

Find a few of the bugs that you might want to avoid. Move the project media from one hard drive to another, transcoding to another format, consolidate media, create a back up in a lower res format on a portable hard drive/laptop if you have one, etc.

Also multicam is worth getting to grips with, if you have suitable footage.

December 22nd, 2007, 09:52 AM	#1
Carl Middleton Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fernandina Beach, FL Posts: 562	An open-ended and (hopefully) fun FCS2 question. Hey guys, I'm a PPro guy making the transition to FCS2. I'm babysitting a suite for the next 10 days with a decent sized project to keep me busy - the main goal being to hop in and learn some software. My background is in programming/web design/etc so I'm quite fast at picking up applications - so here is my question: I am taking this project from start to finish, and want to utilize as many parts of the FCS2 suite as possible - while learning how to make them effective tools for speed-oriented production. I am currently planning on utilizing Color, Motion, and Soundtrack, but I am not sure if I will be able to continue to use them on paid production work unless I can produce results with them in a similar time to the base edits available in FCP. Any suggestions to build a solid, fast workflow? I'm a big fan of heavy color grading, and trying to force myself into being an audio guy. ;) Any hints or pointers to resources for this kind of stuff appreciated! This is my first major foray into Mac Life. I have until February to be able to fly through FCS2. ;) Also, any suggestions for "ooooh... COOL!" features I may have overlooked appreciated as well! I very well might be overlooking some of the best stuff that these programs have to offer. I have 10 days babysitting a Mac Pro Quad/Dual Monitor/Beta&MiniDV deck/etc etc machine.... I really want to make the best use of it I possibly can! Carl __________________ Carl Middleton Whizkid Mediaworks

December 22nd, 2007, 04:05 PM	#3
Carl Middleton Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fernandina Beach, FL Posts: 562	Ohh, I forgot about the steady move thing or whatever... will definitely check that out! __________________ Carl Middleton Whizkid Mediaworks

December 23rd, 2007, 10:16 PM	#4
Carl Middleton Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fernandina Beach, FL Posts: 562	A Change of Direction I thought the last part of that would spark a bit more interest... so here's a new question for yas: What is your favorite aspect of FCS2? What do you really like about it, and think deserves more attention? C __________________ Carl Middleton Whizkid Mediaworks

December 22nd, 2007, 01:42 PM	#2
James Brill Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Goleta, CA Posts: 299	try the new steadicam thing that final cut has. It takes forever to render and you could probably do it better in after effects but eh. Also there are the new pro res codecs and what not. I came from PP2 also and I don't see too many differences in the way everything works except the fact that exporting files is a lot easier and less painful. You are still dealing with a NLE that plays around with mpegs.

January 2nd, 2008, 02:38 AM	#5
David Tindale Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lismore, New South Wales Posts: 31	Hi Carl, I'm self taught(with a little help from my friends) onFCPS1 and the way I got my head around it (apart from jumping in the deep end) was using the Apple Pro training series of books. They come with tutorial hands one exercises that make it very easy to get to grips with the "logic" of the software and therefore easy to intuit where functions or effects ect might be. I might be teaching you to suck eggs, but a couple of good websites for are 2-pop.com and Ken Stone ( just google the name). Hope that is helpful for you David

January 3rd, 2008, 05:15 AM	#6
Neil Rostance Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Lace Market, Nottingham, UK Posts: 194	Just a thought! A lot of people are saying the SmoothCam feature takes ages to Render...and this is true, but it's only because even if you apply it to an edited clip on the time-line, it still analyzes your source clip in your project folder. So you may only want SmoothCam on your 10 second clip in sequence, but if that clip comes from an hour long clip in the source folder, then you have a LONG render times. What i do is to subclip my chosen clips to SmoothCamify, and then re-import them back into the sequence, bingo, very quick render times and controlled filters only on the clips i want. Obviously i may be doing this compeltely wrong....but just wanted to put rest to the whole "takes ages to render' side of things.

January 3rd, 2008, 06:54 AM	#7
Dylan Pank Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Portsmouth, UK Posts: 611	Carl, if you want to really be an FCP guru, get into media management. It's probably the least glamourous but very important aspect. Find a few of the bugs that you might want to avoid. Move the project media from one hard drive to another, transcoding to another format, consolidate media, create a back up in a lower res format on a portable hard drive/laptop if you have one, etc. Also multicam is worth getting to grips with, if you have suitable footage.