VFX/CC Workflow options

[Scotty Fox]

Hi all,

I posted recently on something similar but now I have a couple possible avenues for the post work depending on who I end up going with (VFX/CC people)

Here are the two options and how I'm understanding is the best workflow for each. Please critique anything you see being wrong!

VFX/CC (with AE)

PrPro offline edit > export EDL > Import EDL into REDCineX > Relink files with r3d files > export 2K/4K clips as necessary as .DPX >

hand off to VFX/CC artist so they do their work > they export .DPX finished product > I import back into PrPro for final touches, syncing with audio > Final 2K master export.

VFX/CC (with AE then Resolve)

Virtually the same process except they'd be using Resolve instead of AE. But they'd also use .DPX files and give me a .DPX in return.


So that's how I'm seeing it right now. The reason for the 2K and 4K clips are because I've punched in quite a bit on some clips to reframe. So to keep the 2K resolution and not have a zoom in of 30-40% on some shots, I'll need to use the 4K in those spots. 2K for everything else I didn't punch in on.

I'm using CS5.5 right now, but seem to be having the problem of importing the EDL into REDCineX. I can't seem to relink it to the files I want. Not sure why, but the correct files are grayed out and I can't click on them even though they have the same name. I'm probably doing something wrong.

The other option I was thinking of is if the EDL isn't the way to go, I could media manage the project, creating a trimmed and cleaned project for the offline edit, then export that as an XML, and use that in place of the EDL. Let me know if I'm way off in the deep end now. But thought that might be an easy way of letting Premiere trim my clips to what I'm actually using, instead of hoping an EDL list gets it right. Plus an XML export from the main project seems to be including EVERYTHING even if I'm not using it in the sequence.

I also wasn't sure if I should be upgrading to CS6 or CC... Are there big advancements in the exporting EDL/XML and that workflow, or is it all the same between CC and CS5.5?

Thanks everybody.

 

[Scotty Fox]

Quick update. So I got REDCineX to relink to the r3d files, but in the offline edit, I dropped frames, had some speed changes. For those clips with speed changes, it gives me the wrong in and out points. All the others worked fine, but for any speed changes it's way off.

Any fixes on this? Or do I have to go through the offline edit, make notes on where my speed changes are, then at the end of the workflow process, add all the speed changes back in when I bring it back from VFX and CC?

If I have to do this wow.. that'll suck..

 

[Marc Wielage]

I would avoid using RedCineX-Pro for conforming and instead do the conform within something like Resolve. That'll output DPX files with no problem.

 

[PatrickFaith]

...
hand off to VFX/CC artist so they do their work > they export .DPX finished product > I import back into PrPro for final touches, syncing with audio > Final 2K master export.
....

This is what I do, and also what I have been told to do . Slight addition is I hand over to vfx in openexr 99% of the time, but have been starting to do the cut over to vfx with r3d about 10% of the time(handing over with openexr also allows u to reformat and not have the vfx guys waist time rotoing something that is out of the crop). Aside from handing over the clip for vfx, I also hand over wide shots to help on camera solves and creating background plates.

[edit ... btw ... i think for low end vfx it's to hard to conform at the end of editing, just pick your final format up front and just do all the footage in that format]

 

[Scotty Fox]

I would avoid using RedCineX-Pro for conforming and instead do the conform within something like Resolve. That'll output DPX files with no problem.

I won't have access to Resolve. In fact I'm probably leaning more toward the other right now, just due to budget. Everyone who operates Resolve charges quite a bit more. At least that's what I've experienced thus far.

So I'm wondering if the proposed workflow I mentioned in PrPro and AE would be correct. And if REDCineX is the next best thing to using Resolve??

Thanks guys

 

[PatrickFaith]

I won't have access to Resolve. In fact I'm probably leaning more toward the other right now, just due to budget. Everyone who operates Resolve charges quite a bit more. At least that's what I've experienced thus far.

So I'm wondering if the proposed workflow I mentioned in PrPro and AE would be correct. And if REDCineX is the next best thing to using Resolve??

Thanks guys

Redcine-x just doesn't do what you want (doesn't grade dpx footage, only r3d). Really AE does pretty good now on simple grading for extreme low budget stuff and is easy to use.

(i.e. where you have made a decision not to do finishing, or try to get into festivals, then do the finishing after u get a deal
[lot films in festivals have obviously not gone through finishing, though if it's a hack grade it's real hard to get a deal unless the story is great]).