Using FCP for a weekly TV show at DVinfo.net

Mark Callahan · April 27th, 2005, 08:56 PM

I'm an avid FCP/Mac user, but I'm headed to a job interview on Friday (4.29) with a company that thinks they can cut a weekly TV show using 5 Adobe Premier/Windows machines.

They are considering the switch to FCP or Avid Symphony, but want to stick with Premier. Obviously I think this is a really, really BAD idea, but need some hard evidence to support my claim. Without bashing Avid/Premier, can you all help me build a case on why they should use FCP? Here's what I have down so far:

- After traveling to LA recently and visiting several film schools (including UCLA, USC), I noticed NONE of the schools used Premier and gave me very strange looks when I asked them if they or anyone they knew in the industry used Premier. Point: The schools training the next generation of filmmakers aren't using Premier.

- After talking with the local Comcast creative office, I noticed they used FCP as well. Premier was not even brought up. I know Comcast's Dallas office uses Avid, but still no mention of Premier. Point: The big time industry guys aren't using Premier either.

- Avid's Symphony adds on much more hardware as USC used the system and each editing bay was 1 G5 + 2 avid add-on boxes. Point: More $$ and more stuff to break.

- Apple's G5 64 bit OS will provide them with plenty of computing power when matched up with an Xsan & Xgrid network. I intend to mention Tiger and how it and the new production suite is optimized for the 64-bit G5. Point: Power to get the job done when time is very crucial.

That's all I have for now, but please share your thoughts/experiences/facts to help me build my case! Remember, bashing other systems won't help me, I need facts.

Rhett Allen · April 28th, 2005, 11:01 AM

"24" is cut on FCP and it's a successful weekly TV show. Actually there are a ton of TV programs cut on FCP, and now that it has multi-cam support built in I would expect it to gain even more momentum. Can you imagine the editors of "24" sitting around on their Powerbooks cutting the program? They do! That's a lot cheaper than even one Symphony Suite.

need some samples check out

http://www.apple.com/pro/archive/ind...l#profilmvideo

Richard Alvarez · April 28th, 2005, 11:43 AM

95% of all features are cut on Aivd. More than 90% of Tv shows too.

John Plunkett · April 28th, 2005, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Callahan

I'm an avid FCP/Mac user, but I'm headed to a job interview on Friday (4.29) with a company that thinks they can cut a weekly TV show using 5 Adobe Premier/Windows machines.

Sorry if I've mistaken you here, but you are interviewing for a job, meaning you don't have the job yet and you want to present to the company you wish to gain employment through, an argument as to why they should drop their plans to use Adobe Premier and go with something else?

Either you are already assured the position or you have huge balls.

Dave Perry · April 28th, 2005, 06:15 PM

John is correct. Get the job first, then when they ask your advice, you can present to them a well laid out proposal for switching platforms.

Mark Callahan · April 28th, 2005, 07:41 PM

I think you all have good advice, but would you take a job that required you cut a weekly TV show on Premier? It seems like a massive disaster waiting to happen, and i'd be right in the middle of it all...

Brook Young · April 28th, 2005, 08:30 PM

Final Cut is everywhere these days but Premiere is a very capable program. I think you would be better off building a case as to why they should hire you.

Aanarav Sareen · April 29th, 2005, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brook Young

Final Cut is everywhere these days but Premiere is a very capable program. I think you would be better off building a case as to why they should hire you.

Agreed! I use Premiere Pro for local TV shows every single day. Works great!

April 27th, 2005, 08:56 PM	#1
Mark Callahan New Boot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado Posts: 16	Using FCP for a weekly TV show I'm an avid FCP/Mac user, but I'm headed to a job interview on Friday (4.29) with a company that thinks they can cut a weekly TV show using 5 Adobe Premier/Windows machines. They are considering the switch to FCP or Avid Symphony, but want to stick with Premier. Obviously I think this is a really, really BAD idea, but need some hard evidence to support my claim. Without bashing Avid/Premier, can you all help me build a case on why they should use FCP? Here's what I have down so far: - After traveling to LA recently and visiting several film schools (including UCLA, USC), I noticed NONE of the schools used Premier and gave me very strange looks when I asked them if they or anyone they knew in the industry used Premier. Point: The schools training the next generation of filmmakers aren't using Premier. - After talking with the local Comcast creative office, I noticed they used FCP as well. Premier was not even brought up. I know Comcast's Dallas office uses Avid, but still no mention of Premier. Point: The big time industry guys aren't using Premier either. - Avid's Symphony adds on much more hardware as USC used the system and each editing bay was 1 G5 + 2 avid add-on boxes. Point: More $$ and more stuff to break. - Apple's G5 64 bit OS will provide them with plenty of computing power when matched up with an Xsan & Xgrid network. I intend to mention Tiger and how it and the new production suite is optimized for the 64-bit G5. Point: Power to get the job done when time is very crucial. That's all I have for now, but please share your thoughts/experiences/facts to help me build my case! Remember, bashing other systems won't help me, I need facts.

April 28th, 2005, 06:15 PM	#5
Dave Perry Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 796	John is correct. Get the job first, then when they ask your advice, you can present to them a well laid out proposal for switching platforms. __________________ Dave Perry Cinematographer LLC Director of Photography • Editor • Digital Film Production • 540.915.2752 • daveperry.net

April 28th, 2005, 11:01 AM	#2
Rhett Allen Major Player Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 607	"24" is cut on FCP and it's a successful weekly TV show. Actually there are a ton of TV programs cut on FCP, and now that it has multi-cam support built in I would expect it to gain even more momentum. Can you imagine the editors of "24" sitting around on their Powerbooks cutting the program? They do! That's a lot cheaper than even one Symphony Suite. need some samples check out http://www.apple.com/pro/archive/ind...l#profilmvideo

April 28th, 2005, 11:43 AM	#3
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	95% of all features are cut on Aivd. More than 90% of Tv shows too.

April 28th, 2005, 07:41 PM	#6
Mark Callahan New Boot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado Posts: 16	I think you all have good advice, but would you take a job that required you cut a weekly TV show on Premier? It seems like a massive disaster waiting to happen, and i'd be right in the middle of it all...

April 28th, 2005, 08:30 PM	#7
Brook Young New Boot Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 5	Final Cut is everywhere these days but Premiere is a very capable program. I think you would be better off building a case as to why they should hire you.