Avid MC5 > Monkey Extract > Premiere Pro/After Effects

[Brandon Lindquist]

I have a project shot on RED that we are editing with Avid. It has various FX sequences that need to be composited in After Effects.

I've been creating EDL's from the EDL Manger in the Red 16 format and using Monkey Extract to build DPX sequences. The DPX sequences that are created are all fine. The EDL that Monkey Extract creates(CMX 3600) doesn't seem to be working anywhere.

In Premiere Pro, after I import the EDL, I get a sequence but the media shows up as offline. And I know the DPX sequences are compatible because I can import them by themselves just fine.

Just see what would happen, I tried importing the EDL in Color and Scratch both with the same problems. Sequence is built, no media.

This seems like it should work, but I must be doing something wrong. Any ideas?

 

[Rainer Fritz]

Showing the filenames of the DPXs like this: A001_C001_1204XY.00001.dpx ?
Color cant read a 16 char EDL. It must be a CMX3600 with 8 char.
Don't know it for scratch....

 

[Brandon Lindquist]

My understanding is that Monkey Extract outputs EDLs that are the CMX3600 format. There are no options or settings in the program for the EDL it makes.

Monkey Extract seems to be doing its job. I'm starting to think Adobe has a problem with EDLs. But I might be wrong, I may be missing something.

 

[Rainer Fritz]

Ahh ok I understand your problem now I think....
For me the route from Avid to Color works as described below, but color has a very simple and low quality conforming.....
Have you seen this video: http://avidscreencast.com/2010/02/15-red-workflow-iv-conform-from-avid-to-apples-color/

You can use direct import of EDL into Redcine-x or you use Michael Lubtchansky 's lua scripts here: http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=42154

reconnecting picture sequences in premiere or aftereffects is a hell... have here also no automated conforming atm... the missing of an conforming function in Aftereffects is a big lag.... hope that will change soon.... or somebody will bring up a script...

 

[Brandon Lindquist]

Thanks for the info!

This is weird to me. It seems like no one is trying to online in Premiere/After Effects. It would be a nice cheap and effective workflow.

I've been talking with someone from Monkey Extract's company and they said they've actually never tried sending EDLs into Premiere/After Effects.

Adobe also doesn't seem to support importing EDLs that link to image sequences. And that is just plain silly. At the very least Adobe should let me Link or Replace clips with image sequences, as I can't even do that.

Do you know of any way of making an Offline edit on Avid and then doing an Online edit in Premiere/After Effects? (AAFs I don't believe will work)

 

[Bruce Allen]

This is weird to me. It seems like no one is trying to online in Premiere/After Effects. It would be a nice cheap and effective workflow.

Adobe also doesn't seem to support importing EDLs that link to image sequences. And that is just plain silly. At the very least Adobe should let me Link or Replace clips with image sequences, as I can't even do that.

Do you know of any way of making an Offline edit on Avid and then doing an Online edit in Premiere/After Effects? (AAFs I don't believe will work)

Yeah... Premiere isn't really there yet. Maybe CS7?

That said we've had some success with the Avid offline -> Premiere online thing for multiple projects (RED, Phantom, DSLR, etc)...

1. Automatic Duck or Boris AAF Transfer allow your project to transfer over from Avid to Premiere. Try the Boris trial and see if it works for you.

2. Premiere can also import Avid AAF projects. We've had success with this in the past.

3. Premiere can also import Avid EDLs. With some search and replace you can adjust things so that it points to the .R3D

4. Give DaVinci a go! That's my current favorite workflow helper and you get a stunningly-awesome color corrector to boot.

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com