FCP/RED workflow

[Rod Lopez]

Hello everybody. I realize my question has been covered probably endless times here but I'm just trying to make sure I set up my system right so I don't mess everything up. I'm going on 10 years editing on FCP but this is my first project shot on RED and I basically just want to make sure I am doing everything right. I already downloaded the RCX and got the FCP white paper. I also installed the FCP studio 3 installer from red.com. We shot at 2:1 ratio, 24 Frames, 4k resolution, Redcode 36.

So basically here is a step by step of what I understand needs to happened.
1. I copy the RED footage to my iMac hardrive
2. Open in RCX and give each clip a looK (question on this step, do I have to use RCX or can I skip this step and just use log and transfer in FCP and bring the clips right from my hardrive without using RCX at all?)
3. expert clips out of RCX (if I do use it) and use a transcode like Proress 4444. Save them to my hardrive
4. Open FCP and go to log and transfer
5. make sure the settings match that of my clips and begin to edit.

Does this sound about right? I would really appreciate it if anyone can help me with this. I'm editing on my iMac, 2.7 GHz intel core i5. 4 GB ram, Mac OS 10.6.8 using FCP studio 3. Thank you in advanced.

 

[BigLu]

Step 2
Stay off of log and trasnfer in FCP the instant debayer in fcp and limitations along with limited support when having issues often times leads to making one just revert to and use RCX.

Learning RCX will far out benefit your future and current project.

Transcoding to ProRes 4x4 is a deeper question.
How many gigs of footage are you starting with in RAW.
What is your final destination of the project and what is the project.
Is there any green screen and what will you be color grading in.




Best of luck
Luis

 

[Rod Lopez]

Luis,

Thank you for the reply. Basically, I'm up to 400GB in raw footage right now. I don't have any green screen and the final destination is, hopefully, theatrical release although we are going to start with film festivals. I'll be doing the color grading in Apple's Color. So if I understand correctly, what you are saying is that if I learn RCX then I can transcode the footage right there and then and then just import to FCP without the need to use the log and transfer method, is that correct? and what else can you tell me about transcoding to ProRes 4444?

Thanks man,
Rod

 

[BigLu]

Keeping in mind of the iMac and respecting space as value in hard drives the more space i can save the happier i tend to me.

Here if what id do and why.

1 method is for serious space saving and strictly and offline workflow. (This will be easier on your computer processor to playback and easier on your hard drive space along with playback speed.)
Transcode to ProRes 422 LT using REDCINE X with a 1 light color pass.
Keeping all your files in 1 folder on your drive. Drag that folder no log and trasnfer just understand your dealing with ProRes files now in FCP.
Edit your entire project, picture lock it and finish.
Then take your EDL and RE-coform using that new XML back to RCX taking your time only doing the files you actually use in your project.
Then Export out in PR4x4 open up in FCP send to color. Finish and your now done.

This has been covered several times in the forum it is very beneficial for you to find those posts and see what the experts say.

2nd method similar to fist but going to PR 422 HQ and finishing in PR 422 HQ with the option to go back to re-conform to PR4x4 if you decide to later or not.

Luis

 

[Rod Lopez]

I'll follow these steps, I like this workflow better. It addresses my concerns of space, resolution and other things. Thank you for that. I may have a question here or there along the way but I think i'm good to get started.