Multiple Cameras in 4.5? at DVinfo.net

Chris Marty · July 17th, 2005, 02:53 PM

Hey guys-

I'm having a bit of trouble tracking down workflow tips for editing multiple cameras in Final Cut Pro 4.5. It seems everything regarding 4.5 is now buried under all kinds of talk about the new Multicam feature in FCP 5.

Anyone have a clear-cut, proven method for putting together a multi-cam shoot? Half the time I'm dealing with real-time multiple cameras, which'll be easier I imagine, and the other half is master shots to close-ups done in different takes. I'm not so concerned with that as I am with being able to A/B between video tracks and decide on the best places to cut between.

Any help would be appreciated, as my time is running a bit short.

Thanks in advance,

Chris Marty

Matt Stahley · July 17th, 2005, 05:44 PM

one way i have done this with a 2 cam shoot dance recital is i stack the video tracks on the timeline and drop the opacity on the top track to 50% or so this way it will give me a general idea of whats going on on the close up cam as the other cam is locked down. I can do a quick edit of all the close ups i want this way then bring the opacity back up to do final tightining of the cuts. So far has worked well for me on an old school system 867 G4 w/ FCP3 without rendering.You could also scale all the tracks down in the motion tab so they fit in the viewer but this would require rendering to view in real time.

Nate Ford · July 18th, 2005, 01:37 PM

i've done the scale down to fit both in the window. on my dual 1.8 gangsta-5 this didn't require a render for 2 cameras. probably would for more. i discuss it in length in an old post, but i don't really have time now. basically, you scale to 50% and change the horizontal position. i'm sure you can figure it out. as for sync points, clip markers will be your friend for that.

July 17th, 2005, 02:53 PM	#1
Chris Marty Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chicago, Illinois Posts: 28	Multiple Cameras in 4.5? Hey guys- I'm having a bit of trouble tracking down workflow tips for editing multiple cameras in Final Cut Pro 4.5. It seems everything regarding 4.5 is now buried under all kinds of talk about the new Multicam feature in FCP 5. Anyone have a clear-cut, proven method for putting together a multi-cam shoot? Half the time I'm dealing with real-time multiple cameras, which'll be easier I imagine, and the other half is master shots to close-ups done in different takes. I'm not so concerned with that as I am with being able to A/B between video tracks and decide on the best places to cut between. Any help would be appreciated, as my time is running a bit short. Thanks in advance, Chris Marty

July 17th, 2005, 05:44 PM	#2
Matt Stahley Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Waynesboro, PA Posts: 648	one way i have done this with a 2 cam shoot dance recital is i stack the video tracks on the timeline and drop the opacity on the top track to 50% or so this way it will give me a general idea of whats going on on the close up cam as the other cam is locked down. I can do a quick edit of all the close ups i want this way then bring the opacity back up to do final tightining of the cuts. So far has worked well for me on an old school system 867 G4 w/ FCP3 without rendering.You could also scale all the tracks down in the motion tab so they fit in the viewer but this would require rendering to view in real time.

July 18th, 2005, 01:37 PM	#3
Nate Ford Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: new york, ny Posts: 121	i've done the scale down to fit both in the window. on my dual 1.8 gangsta-5 this didn't require a render for 2 cameras. probably would for more. i discuss it in length in an old post, but i don't really have time now. basically, you scale to 50% and change the horizontal position. i'm sure you can figure it out. as for sync points, clip markers will be your friend for that.