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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

New to RED/FCP workflow

M

Mary Levitt

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Hi guys,
I'm just getting started with using RED in FCP. My question is, when ingesting the video into FCP, it is better to ingest it as Native RED files or is it better to do it as ProRes 422 HQ (or any of the ProRes codecs)? My main question is what's better (when using the log and transfer option in FCP) native or ProRes?
Secondly, what is a better method for ingesting media into FCP? Using RCX or the log and transfer inside of FCP? I've found that the log and transfer is much easier for me. Now, does that mean that I am sacrificing anything over using RCX?
Thanks Guys,
Julia
 
Hi Mary,

It depends a lot on your computer and your expertise in the programs. What's your end goal? What FCP, 7 or X? What's your experience level with RED, Final Cut, etc?

O.
 
The project is a short intended for film festival competition. I'm editing on FCP 7 (don't even mention X) and I'm an experienced editor/colorist, just new to editing RED footage. My computer is pretty new (iMac 27 with 8GB ram)
 
There's a great article RED used to have for download. I don't see it on the site but I'll get it for you when I get home. It talks you through the entire FCP & Color workflow. Different options and advantages.
 
are you talking about the FCP whitepaper? I already have that one. And I'm clear on which way I can go. I just want to get an opinion from people who have used both Native and ProRes to see which one they recommend better.
 
My personal opinion is that you should always go ProRes. Just because you *can* use the native/wrapped files doesn't make it a good idea. Generally speaking I've found that the results are better ripping off low-rez ProRes proxies, editing with those, and then using ClipFinder/RC-X/Whatever to reconform to the R3Ds for grading and finishing.
 
Ben,

I think I like your suggestion. I'm going to go ahead and use ProRes and ingest it that way. Quick question though, can you explain briefly the process of reconforming back to the R3Ds for grading and finishing? So just to give you a quick scenario. Let's say I use Prores 422 HQ, edit my sequence on FCP and now I'm ready for Grading. Can you explain how I would finish up from there?
Thanks,
Mary
 
Thanks Olaf! Now I just need to get my head around the whole reconforming part of the deal.
 
Mary Levitt said:
Hi guys,
I'm just getting started with using RED in FCP. My question is, when ingesting the video into FCP, it is better to ingest it as Native RED files or is it better to do it as ProRes 422 HQ (or any of the ProRes codecs)? My main question is what's better (when using the log and transfer option in FCP) native or ProRes?
Secondly, what is a better method for ingesting media into FCP? Using RCX or the log and transfer inside of FCP? I've found that the log and transfer is much easier for me. Now, does that mean that I am sacrificing anything over using RCX?
Thanks Guys,
Julia
Click to expand...


This may help :)))
http://reduser.net/forum/showthread...X-FCP-WORKFLOW&p=809269&highlight=#post809269
 
Best thing to do is take three or so shots and practice your workflow and get that down, till you know it inside and out. Nothing is more painful (and time consuming) realizing there was a step you missed and having to redo the WHOLE thing.

So practice, practice, practice.
 
Mark's suggestion is the way to go if you decide to use RC-X. I've done all my projects thus far with Clipfinder, and it's as simple as pointing it at an XML file you've exported from FCP and letting it go to work.

Step-By-Step Clipfinder Reconform method: (This method assumes you're going to be grading in Color. If you're going to Resolve or something else you'll need to modify a bit)
1. Export XML from FCP
2. Open Clipfinder, select "Run conform on FCP XML" from the tools menu.
3. Point it at the XML you exported, give it a location to save your new conformed XML.
4. Pick a proxy size to conform to. Doesn't really matter which. I usually pick the _F proxies, just to avoid any issues with scaling.
5. Tell it where the footage is located.
6. Run the conform.
7. Import new XML into FCP. Send to Color.
8. Grade. Render. Send back to FCP.

Also, like Olaf said: practice, practice, practice. Run a sequence of 2 or 3 clips through the workflow just to get a feel for it and make sure everything works correctly.
 
Thank you guys for all your help!
Mark, your "hotel room" method is really really good. I like the simplicity of it and yet, it produces such greet images. Now I just to learn how to incorporate Color to your workflow. I'm a huge Color user and I think combining your workflow with Color could be the way to go. I'm trying to figure out (I'm doing some tests now) what are the best looks for my video after I take them to color.
Olaf, your advice was right on. I realized that practice is the best thing I can do. Now I'm figuring out what's the workflow that best works for me. So really, thank you.
Ben, Thank you very much for taking the time to breakdown the reconforming process. I downloaded Clipfinder and I have been doing some tests to see what works better for me. I'm having some issues after I import the XML back to final cut (step 7). For some reason the frame size is not matching my sequence on FCP. But I'm sure I'll figure out what it is. I must be doing or not doing something that is causing that. But again, thank you!
And if you guys have any more advices in terms of how to get that best film look, let me know. I'm always looking for that "Film Look" and I love getting advice from people who know what they are doing, which obviously, you all do. I saw some of your work and I must say, it's quite impressive.
Good day Gents,
 
Likewise Mark - thanks for the link to your tutorial thread!!

Stu Aull
Alaska
 
OMG! Please share as soon as you perfect it! and btw Mark, I saw some of your work. one word. Amazing!
 
Mark Toia said:
No Prob lemo.... :)

I have a new work flow now.. even faster again.

Ill share once I perfect it. :)

Put it this way.. A lap top is all you need... :)
Click to expand...

MARK---let the secret out please---im hating working with my laptop in the field....PLEASE share sir....and thanks for all your sharing by the way.
 
Mark Toia said:
No Prob lemo.... :)

I have a new work flow now.. even faster again.

Ill share once I perfect it. :)

Put it this way.. A lap top is all you need... :)
Click to expand...


I've done everything on the laptop for about the last two years.
Desktops are overrated. :)

And hey, when you are the client you have to impress with the hardware, then who cares.

David
 
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