Control Surface

[Jon Barrie]

Not that I have anything worth helping you with your search, but I’m keen to know your workflow. I edit quite alot for long periods on both PPro and FCP and don’t find the keyboard shortcut workflow too bad on the old hands/wrists.
I make sure the chair sits my elbow level with the desk/keyboard and I work in steps.

For Example:
1. Gather my clips into bins representing each scene or type/group of shots. Renaming them as I go. I might even be making sub-clips.

2. Rough cut, find all the shots I need and add them loosely into the timeline using the shortcut (, or .) for insert or overlay from the in (i) out (o) points I choose using JKL for playback/forward & pause inside the Source Monitor.

3. Watch it and make notes (including colour correction) with a lined note pad using every second line.

4. Refine the edit with some stand-in or Final Graphics if they are ready. Refining really noticable cuts that are bad or swap shots using the selection tool and the combination of alt and or ctl keys to shift or swap their position.

5. Watch that back, cross out notes I’ve ammended, and insert new notes with another colour pen (red) in the inbetween lines so timing is not lost from 1st set of notes.

6. I’ll use the trim interface and clean up all the edit points (cuts/Xfades).

7. Watch that back and fix things as I notice them.

8. Get some other person to watch while I use the toilet.

9. Wash my hands. Think I should eat something…

10. Review anything the fresh eyes viewer has to say and adjust if needed.

11. Make a clip notes export for the client.

12. Client rings me asking what the hell to do with this PDF.

13. Get the xfdf file from the client. Import them into the timeline.

14. Review their notes and wish I’d budgeted more time for the edit than I quoted.

15. Make physical notes if there are too many comments to do in 5 minutes.

16. Repeat processes 3-15 until client and I am happy.

17. Thank god I learned to restrain myself from refining edits as I was “building” them from the beginning as that takes longer and some “magical edits” are lost while butchering it before reviewing the project as a complete piece.

I base my editing workflow like an artist approaches a canvas or block of wood for carving. Getting a shape first then step by step refining the details – not getting caught up in the detail too early because its hard to go back.

My work has to be a high standard and I will not allow a client to have something they think looks great if I see something that could slick it up that little bit more. It is relative, no money = no time. If it takes an hour I’ll do it and discuss with the client if they really have an issue with the cost of that extra hour. If it’s going to take another half day and they love it…pay check!

My work is my reputation – Rep = ongoing work. 1 hour is my cost of continuing to work in the industry I love – shooting and cutting.

– Jon 😉

How many editors does it take to change a light bulb?

[Jeff Brown]

I only edit sporadically (I do mostly anim & vfx), but I’ve found the ShuttlePro a pretty handy controller for Premiere and Combustion. Not a lot of $$ for a decent feeling jog/shuttle wheel, plus 15 programmable buttons.

-jeff

[Steve Johnson]

Wow, I just found this company on the internet. Seems pretty insane some of the controllers they have. Not sure if they would help or hinder, but worth consideration.

https://www.jlcooper.com/cgi/index.cgi?home

I think my main concern is being able to flip between clips and timelines and sequences, move clips, scrub the timeline easily, slide or scroll clips. It would be nice to have a button that woud plcae me into different contexts, like the effects panel or the source monitor. Then maybe a button to place markers or inpoint/outpoints.

I like the low cost shuttle, but I’m not sure it has enough to help me become less keyboard/mouse centric. My goal is to use an interface that I can use 80% of the time in place of a keyboard/mouse.

CS3 – Mac
C4D

[Eric Jurgenson]

I have both the shuttle pro and the JL Cooper controllers. I must admit I don’t use them any more. I find the keyboard shortcuts easier. They do look kinda cool on the desk, though.

[Jiri Fiala]

I have the Shuttle Pro 2 and while I don’t use it all the time, I certainly don’t regret the purchase.

It’s not that expensive and it indeed comes in handy – you can rest your arm (or change its position for a bit, that is) and basically edit using one hand. Its jog/shuttle is especially useful and much faster/more convenient than using JKL and keyboard arrows. Sometimes I use it a lot and sometimes I don’t at all, don’t ask me why :o)

[Steve Johnson]

LOL.. Eric, I guess you can’t put a price on looking like a pro.. 😉

CS3 – Mac
C4D

[Mike Cohen]

this is why we still have our 1″ machine in our dupe rack. It has not worked in years, but it sure looks cool!

[Brennan Wright]

is it possible to use a usb or firewire mixing board with premiere?

____________________________________________

Reel

[Jon Barrie]

You can use ASIO devices withing Premiere ProCS3 and Audition. Premiere needs you to point to the ASIO device in the Preference settings.
However, I’d only use the Premiere recording functions as proxy audio for the edit to know where to roughly cut and get timings.
I do all my proper recording and cleaning/mixing in Audition 3 (PC only).
The files are then exported as WAV with the Audition Edit Original embedded in the WAV clip used in Premiere Pro. If there is a need for a clean up or effect i’ll edit original and render over the original.
– Jon 😉

How many editors does it take to change a light bulb?

[Brennan Wright]

hmmm thats interesting, whats the reason for audition?

____________________________________________

Reel