Color Correct in Multicam Projects at DVinfo.net

Geoffrey Chandler · January 10th, 2008, 10:20 AM

When I have two video tracks I want to use in a multicam project, the most logical firist step would be to color correct so the picture from each camera matches nicely. When I place an effect (color correction) on a video track and then let multicam combine them into one track, I get a message stating "some effects will be disabled using multicam" - color correction is disabled. So, that leaves me having to color correct (or paste an effect into) dozens of little clips.

Am I missing something? Is there a better workflow to color correct a multicam project?

Don Bloom · January 10th, 2008, 11:20 AM

actually the BEST way to edit, IMO, is to CUT,COLOR/EXPOSURE and finally AUDIO.

Why? Well first you might make changes to the cut. Once you've made the cut then it's a lot easier to do CC and Exposure correct if needed and with multicam shoots, if you're using the audio from the cameras (not a seperate audio recorder) then you migh use audio from some or all the cameras not just the "A" camera.

Over the years I have found this system works the best. Do my CUT first then I can concentrate on color and exposure and finally audio work. It just seems to work out better at least for me.

Then you can do CC to the clips (events) or in the media pool whichever works best. Don't forget that once you've CCd one clip you can make that a preset in the CC FX and highlight all the clips that you want to use that FX on and simply bring it to them all at once.

Don

Mike Kujbida · January 10th, 2008, 11:28 AM

Geoffrey, I haven't tried this yet but can't you do your CC'ing after the multicam edit is done?
That is, figure out your CC settings, save them as presets (use a plug-in chain if there's more than one FX), do your editing and then reapply them to the clips in the media pool, not on the timeline.
This way, the entire clip is corrected at once.

Geoffrey Chandler · January 10th, 2008, 11:46 AM

Yes I can Color Correct after the edit, but I didn't think it was very efficient to have to find all the little pieces of video (after being cut up by multicam) and apply an effect to each and every little clip.

Now, you mention using the Media Pool. I guess I don't know how that works. Can I apply an effect to a whole file even though it's cut up in the timeline?

Edward Troxel · January 10th, 2008, 12:03 PM

If you apply an effect in the Project Media, it will be applied to that clip wherever it is on the timeline - no matter how many pieces it is or over how many tracks it is located.

Geoffrey Chandler · January 10th, 2008, 12:46 PM

There's the answer. Thank you very much.

I have to say, I love this program. I've been a hold out with Premiere 6.5 for many years thinking I would be the most productive with a program I knew well, instead of continually trying the "latest thing," having to learn new software. I’m glad I gave Vegas 8 a try because I can see already after just two jobs, it is going to really speed up editing.

Lorinda Norton · March 26th, 2008, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Troxel

If you apply an effect in the Project Media, it will be applied to that clip wherever it is on the timeline - no matter how many pieces it is or over how many tracks it is located.

I've been playing with this new [to me] concept for a while and can't figure out how to view what's going on as I try to apply CC to a clip in the Project Media. Can someone clue me in to just how this is done, please? :)

Edward Troxel · March 26th, 2008, 07:27 AM

Lorinda,

Put the clip on the timeline. Make sure the cursor is on that clip so you can see it in the preview screen. Now go to the Project Media, select that clip, and click on the "FX" button to add an FX. As you adjust the FX, the changes will be seen on the preview screen. The key is making sure the cursor is over that clip so you can see it in the preview screen.

Lorinda Norton · March 26th, 2008, 10:02 AM

Ah…thanks, Edward! Unfortunately, when dealing with a LOT of clips (as I am this time), it’s probably just as time efficient cutting without using the multicam feature and applying effects on a track level. It’s a good case for leaving the camera running for that nice, long clip!

January 10th, 2008, 10:20 AM	#1
Geoffrey Chandler Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 144	Color Correct in Multicam Projects When I have two video tracks I want to use in a multicam project, the most logical firist step would be to color correct so the picture from each camera matches nicely. When I place an effect (color correction) on a video track and then let multicam combine them into one track, I get a message stating "some effects will be disabled using multicam" - color correction is disabled. So, that leaves me having to color correct (or paste an effect into) dozens of little clips. Am I missing something? Is there a better workflow to color correct a multicam project?

January 10th, 2008, 11:20 AM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	actually the BEST way to edit, IMO, is to CUT,COLOR/EXPOSURE and finally AUDIO. Why? Well first you might make changes to the cut. Once you've made the cut then it's a lot easier to do CC and Exposure correct if needed and with multicam shoots, if you're using the audio from the cameras (not a seperate audio recorder) then you migh use audio from some or all the cameras not just the "A" camera. Over the years I have found this system works the best. Do my CUT first then I can concentrate on color and exposure and finally audio work. It just seems to work out better at least for me. Then you can do CC to the clips (events) or in the media pool whichever works best. Don't forget that once you've CCd one clip you can make that a preset in the CC FX and highlight all the clips that you want to use that FX on and simply bring it to them all at once. Don Last edited by Don Bloom; January 10th, 2008 at 11:22 AM. Reason: forgot something

January 10th, 2008, 12:03 PM	#5
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	If you apply an effect in the Project Media, it will be applied to that clip wherever it is on the timeline - no matter how many pieces it is or over how many tracks it is located. __________________ Edward Troxel [SCVU] JETDV Scripts/Scripting Tutorials/Excalibur/Montage Magic/Newsletters

March 26th, 2008, 07:27 AM	#8
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	Lorinda, Put the clip on the timeline. Make sure the cursor is on that clip so you can see it in the preview screen. Now go to the Project Media, select that clip, and click on the "FX" button to add an FX. As you adjust the FX, the changes will be seen on the preview screen. The key is making sure the cursor is over that clip so you can see it in the preview screen. __________________ Edward Troxel [SCVU] JETDV Scripts/Scripting Tutorials/Excalibur/Montage Magic/Newsletters

March 26th, 2008, 10:02 AM	#9
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Ah…thanks, Edward! Unfortunately, when dealing with a LOT of clips (as I am this time), it’s probably just as time efficient cutting without using the multicam feature and applying effects on a track level. It’s a good case for leaving the camera running for that nice, long clip! __________________ Lorinda

January 10th, 2008, 11:28 AM	#3
Mike Kujbida Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Windsor, ON Canada Posts: 2,770	Geoffrey, I haven't tried this yet but can't you do your CC'ing after the multicam edit is done? That is, figure out your CC settings, save them as presets (use a plug-in chain if there's more than one FX), do your editing and then reapply them to the clips in the media pool, not on the timeline. This way, the entire clip is corrected at once.

January 10th, 2008, 11:46 AM	#4
Geoffrey Chandler Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 144	Yes I can Color Correct after the edit, but I didn't think it was very efficient to have to find all the little pieces of video (after being cut up by multicam) and apply an effect to each and every little clip. Now, you mention using the Media Pool. I guess I don't know how that works. Can I apply an effect to a whole file even though it's cut up in the timeline?

January 10th, 2008, 12:46 PM	#6
Geoffrey Chandler Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 144	There's the answer. Thank you very much. I have to say, I love this program. I've been a hold out with Premiere 6.5 for many years thinking I would be the most productive with a program I knew well, instead of continually trying the "latest thing," having to learn new software. I’m glad I gave Vegas 8 a try because I can see already after just two jobs, it is going to really speed up editing.