FCP and DeNoise question

[Richard_JP]

Hi,

I have been handed a project that was shot on the R1 and the EPIC. The capture has been done through FCP log and transfer into ProRes 4444. The footage is extremely noisy and needs a denoiser. I have tried MB, but it gives a pretty soft image...

So here is my question;

>> Can I use the other guys logging info in RedCine X to recapture the footage?

>> And if I do this, will I get a better denoise result? What workflow is best in RedCine X?

I'm on a tight deadline, so any help would be much appreciated! :)

Thanks, Richard

[Drew Baird]

Everyone swears by Neat Video. You can either buy it for FCP and denoise the 1080p (assumed) footage, or:
You can export the XML file from FCP and import it into RCX and re connect the footage, export XML to Premiere send the edit to After Effects and use the built in noise remover that AE has, or:
If you don't have Premiere export the R3D's with the quicktime wrapper, import into FCP use Neat Video. Grab some coffee, maybe a nice three course meal.

Any combination of this workflow will work. There are other ways to remove noise, but I don't know what software/hardware you are working with.

[Matt Ryan]

If you don't know how to use Resolve or own the full version maybe go the Premiere Pro route. Basically anyway you can get back to the R3D's will give you the best results.

Neat Video is the best plugin for noise.

[Eirik Tyrihjel]

Maybe it´s a good idea to have a real good look at the original footage, and see if the noise is as bad in that, or if it has been introduced by a fawlty capture process. Also talk to whoever shot it and find out how the noise (underexposure) got there in the first place.

[Richard_JP]

OK, so neat is better than MB. I'll get that then. Unfortunately I'm still on FCP as I haven't had time to re-learn Premiere... I used to use Premiere back in the day, but was told I couldn't graduate unless I was editing on Avid or FCP. Film schools are retarded sometimes.

I have taken a look at the footage in REDCine X and it was shot like this. The R1 isn't all that bad, but the Epic operator cranked the ISO up full during the shoot as he was sure that it doesn't make any difference when shooting RAW. I've asked him about it and he's still saying that is the case. I take it there is no truth in that?

The reason for the footage being so noisy is because it's a night shoot with very little light. We were using only UV lights for some of the shots. I think that using RED's for this shoot may have been a mistake, but this is the footage that I have, so I must make the best of it.

Drew, I'll try your workflow with the XML, I think that would be the best way to go.

If anyone has any other magical solution or knows where I can get a plugin called "make footage a bit more awesome" I'd be stoked for your input.

Thanks for the help!

[jimhare]

The only time this is the case is if the lens is wide open. Cranking the ISO up often makes operators think the image is overexposed and stop down, starving the sensor of light and creating noise.

If the lens was wide open then yes, the quality is not effected by cranking the ISO, but anyone who has ever used a RED ONE would be able to tell you in advance it wasn't a good choice for the conditions. Epic is good and some would even say C300, exchanging RAW and massive resolution for impressive low light shooting capabilities.

So sounds like your DP was both right and wrong. Right on the point that RAW is agnostic of camera settings, and Wrong that he thought it would be a good idea! ;-)

OK, so neat is better than MB. I'll get that then. Unfortunately I'm still on FCP as I haven't had time to re-learn Premiere... I used to use Premiere back in the day, but was told I couldn't graduate unless I was editing on Avid or FCP. Film schools are retarded sometimes.

I have taken a look at the footage in REDCine X and it was shot like this. The R1 isn't all that bad, but the Epic operator cranked the ISO up full during the shoot as he was sure that it doesn't make any difference when shooting RAW. I've asked him about it and he's still saying that is the case. I take it there is no truth in that?

The reason for the footage being so noisy is because it's a night shoot with very little light. We were using only UV lights for some of the shots. I think that using RED's for this shoot may have been a mistake, but this is the footage that I have, so I must make the best of it.

Drew, I'll try your workflow with the XML, I think that would be the best way to go.

If anyone has any other magical solution or knows where I can get a plugin called "make footage a bit more awesome" I'd be stoked for your input.

Thanks for the help!