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“Custom” Excel Spreadsheet logging help needed
This is probably a easy fix to some, but we’re having some real problems figuring it out how to proceed…so…I’m asking for your help. We’re stuck with this format, so I have run out of options.
We have downloaded and tried the different Excel logging spreadsheets available for Final Cut and have a somewhat different situation. Our log sheets come from a producer who will only give us the “in”-timecode, and duration in Excel format with all notes and car numbers etc. All the columns are text only and not formatted (other than being in text). Basically it’s a Excel format column and row text sheet. He just types in the information. (He thinks since I’m the editor, its my job to make it “work”…(somehow).
We have spent the better part of two days trying to modify all the ones we have found to generate a useable batch file for import into FCP. The “normal” ones work and import clips fine…but this isn’t “normal” for us. We’re not too savvy about Excel and, with 43 more shows to go, we’re trying to find some help in making or modifying any of them that will calculate the “out duration” and allow us to make (export) a proper tab-delineated file for batch capture. (We were hoping we would be able to just copy and paste them…oops).
To be specific, the Excel column format we receive contains the following items…in this order:
In-show (a check off box used when it is “actually on the timeline”), Item Number (each cut number is specific to every cut used in the show i.e. 42508-63, 42508-64 etc), Item Description, Length (:10, :20, 2:12 etc), Segment Run Time (a total running time for each “segment” of the show), Tape Number, and Time Code (no frames, just whole numbers…i.e. 10:04 or 1:02) and a column for total segment times totaling up all the segments (segment one: 5:45, Segment two 6:03 etc.) so we know we’re not going over in total time.
To add to this scenario (!), the batch capturing of some of the tapes are done in Adobe Premiere using the same spreadsheet format and converted to Quicktime for finishing “over here” on FCP. So, It’s the same problem “over there” even before it comes to me for finishing but…there is a difference in the formatting of the columns for batch capture in Premiere. It’s a nightmare since we do not understand how to format cells or deal with time values, text only cells and automatic calculations etc, etc, etc .
If anyone can modify Larry Jordans spreadsheet, or any of the other ones available on-line (i.e. time code log, Capture Log, Log Template etc, or any others we don’t know about…or, even just tell us “how” to modify the ones we already have to use in both systems, we would be SO thankful.
If only we could get the producer to modify “his” spreadsheet, it would be very convenient but, all of these are already in place and changes are not possible at this time, and he will not change his. We get about 40 hours of tape for each show (don’t ask) so batching is the only way to go and be cost effective and efficient. Otherwise…it’s AK time…
Can anyone help us? All this ((%$D<>G6@L&))TIMETOTAL=Stuff is going to drive me crazy!
Anyone?
Steve Wills
Dual 2.5 G5
FCP HD, Motion -
1 Reply
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Sorry for going to the obvious first – and I know this isn’t always as easy as it sounds in Excel, but is there not a formula you can create that computes the “Out TC” via “=”In TC”+”Duration” ?
Feel free to email me a copy of your template, I’d be happy to take a look.
Cheers,
S
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