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Nested Sequences
Hi,
I have a problem with nested sequences. I’m using Final Cut version 6.0.4
I have ten nested sequences, each one minute long. I am in the process of cutting up the nested sequences into individual frames- that’s 18,000 frames. Admittedly, this is not the way nested sequences are designed to be used, but it is the easiest way for me to experiment with a kind of flicker pattern that I’m using.
The problem is that the nested sequences are starting to act strangely. Whenever I change one of the original sequences, not all of the frames of the nested sequence respond. Some of the frames still seem to point back to a previous version of the sequence from before I made the changes, which should no longer even exist. Somehow when I make changes to the original sequence, Final Cut Pro creates an alternate version of that sequence which does not include the change, and some of the frames of the nested sequence point to this alternate sequence. I can open these alternate sequences up in their own tabs by double clicking the frames of the nested sequence, but I can’t find the sequences in my Browser window. It’s possible I’m asking too much of Final Cut, but I’d like to finish this project and I wonder if there is any way to fix this.
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6 Replies
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[Andy Cahill] “I am in the process of cutting up the nested sequences into individual frames- that’s 18,000 frames.”
Andy,
In a nutshell, nesting is not one of FCP’s strong suits to begin with, and you’re multiplying by a factor of 18,000. Sounds like an exponentially problematic workflow to me. Is there no way you can do this using an exported version rather than a nest?
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los AngelesPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, and Indie Film & Documentary forums.
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I would export the Nests as Self Contained Movies and bring them back in for the cutting up.
Nests are really useful in FCP, but generally you would not use them to combine elements and then continue editing the contents. The Nests work best if you build your composite, then just use the Nest to bring it all together on to one line.
Or a more common use for me is duplicating Lower Thirds using Nests. I’ll build the first one which usually involved 3 to 6 video tracks, then I Nest it and just keep duplicating the Nest for each successive Lower third.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR Apple Color Training DVD available now!
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I typically run the other way if someone mentions nests in FCP. I’ve never had any luck with them unless I use them the way Walter described for bringing everything down to one layer and not editing after that. But even then I’ll have problems with audio and missing media.
I’d suggest, as did David, that exporting out some self contained QT’s of each sequence and then cutting is the best procedure.
Winston A. Cely
Editor/Owner | Della St. Media, LLCMac Pro 3GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
4 GB RAM | Final Cut Studio 5.1.4 | Aja Kona LHe“If you can talk brilliantly enough about a subject, you can create the consoling allusion it has been mastered.” – Stanley Kubrick
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Thanks for the suggestions-
I am beginning to see why nested sequences are probably best avoided entirely. The problem is that for this project I really need to be able to always edit and change each individual sequence, and see how the changes are reflected in the increasingly complicated master sequence, so in this case I can’t really export and bring them back in or simplify the workflow- I guess I’ll just have to slog through.
I obviously should be using a different program to do this. I don’t know if there are any editing programs that are more stable when dealing with nested sequences.
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[Andy Cahill] “experiment with a kind of flicker pattern that I’m using.
“If you’re just trying to get a flicker pattern, there are plenty of plug ins that will do it.
Do a google search on “Flicker plug ins for FCP”. I found plenty.
Mark
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[Andy Cahill] “I am beginning to see why nested sequences are probably best avoided entirely. “
Nested sequences are great tools for compositing and re-using the same materials. They’re not designed to do what you want to do.
I suppose Pre-Compose in After Effects would work better in your situation.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR Apple Color Training DVD available now!
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