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Prepping sequence for HDCAM Mastering
Please move if this is in the wrong forum.
I am completely new to HDcam mastering and am interested in doing so for a short film (6 min). Does it work just like regular DV (pop in a tape, open up FCP and print to tape?) Essentially I’m worried about prepping my footage so that a post house doesn’t get cranky when they see my drive. The sequence is clean and tidy and I’ve edited to the settings I’ve picked up from looking at boards and online. What else do I need to do to prep my film for HDcam mastering? I’m trying to minimize post-house time but am aware it will take a few hours and some money.
The editing specs are below; feel free to shout out any incongruities or problems with my settings. Thank you for your help! Jordan
Source footage: Sony XDCam EX-1. Shot in 720p/24p
Edited in Final Cut Pro
Frame Size 1280×720
Aspect Ratio HDTV 720p (16:9)
Pixel Aspect Ratio: Square
Editing Timebase: 23.98
Quicktime Video Settings> Compressor:Apple ProRes 422, 100%
Color Corrected using the tools within Final Cut (no outside software) -
8 Replies
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[Jordan Kerfeld] “Does it work just like regular DV (pop in a tape, open up FCP and print to tape?)”
Nope…not by a long shot. It is a very complex machine as it is capable of recording many HD resolutions.
Just export a self contained QT movie, using sequence settings and NOT recompressing, and bring that to the post house. THey will do the rest.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
Thanks Shane! I hope my suggestion that it was easy didn’t offend you. 🙂
So I’ll Export > Quicktime Movie > Current Settings, Include Audio Video, Markers None, Deselect “Recompress all frames” and check “Make movie self-contained”
Got it. Thanks again.
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The best way to work with outside help is to overcommunicate.
ASK the post house what sort of file you should deliver. We can only guess.
For all we know, they’re not running FCP, and a ProRes file is useless to them.
Don’t be intimidated – they exist to serve their clients (you), and you’ll be better served if you deliever the precise file you need on the first try.
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Bill–
Yes I was also contemplating other systems (like Avid) and knew they wouldn’t want something with an Apple codec. Just as video is different so will the post house be different. I will start shopping soon and will be annoying the crap out of a post house with questions soon.
Thanks!
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Very good. While you’re shopping, bring up the workflow that Shane suggested – it’s the best way to go, and finding a post house that can accomodate that workflow will make things easy.
Also, while you’re getting quotes, consider getting bids for a textless master as well. Since your project is short, you’ll probably be paying a minimum, so it could make sense to have a textless thrown in.
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Bill–
Call me dense but could you briefly explain a textless master? I’m rather green with mastering through post houses (usually just made MiniDV masters).
Thanks!
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A textless master is one that has little or no graphic elements so that it can easily be re-purposed for international/multi-lingual use. For example, if someone in France wanted to air your piece you’d send them a textless master so that they could do all the titles, lower thirds, etc., in French.
-A
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So, you’ve made a six minute HD short, and now you’re seeking a post house to master to HDCAM. You should be aware of texted/textless masters, and also split track audio mixes.
I don’t know your situation, whether you’re going to festivals, seeking distribution, or just planning on holding your own screenings, so some of this may or may not apply to you. Also, you may not need these elements right away, but if you’re facing a minimum cost at a post house, it may make sense to have them done now.
Texted/Textless masters
A “textless” master is simply a copy of the film without text. This comes in handy in international situations where the text (titles, lower 3rds, etc.) would be localized for a foreign audience. It’s also handy to have in case you need to recut the film, or make a promo or trailer out of the master.
Split Tracks / M&E
HDCAM tapes have four channels of audio. You may want to consider providing a M&E track (music and effects) track on channels 3&4. This would be used if your film is dubbed into a foreign language, and again could come in handy for recuts.
Two more notes:
When prepping your timeline, be sure to have bars and tone preceeding your show. It’s standard practice (in the US) to have the program start at the 1:00:00:00 mark.
The post house will charge you for time and tape stock. HDCAM tapes can go over $300 a pop – so consider rolling your textless version on the same master, after the texted.
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