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FCP / AE / etc. workflow techniques
hi folks,
very junior editor here…I wanted to get general opinions on workflow techniques when transitioning between several programs. i’m interested in any advice folks have, particularly the pros and cons to FCP vs. AE in the editing process.
for example, i’m currently working on a project where I created a rough cut in FCP, but now that I am to the point where I’m incorporating lower third graphics, fancy transitions, etc. I feel like I need to get into After Effects, although there’s still plenty of editing to be done. FCP is far superior in efficiency when fumbling through footage and making precision cuts, but I certainly don’t want to be going back and fourth and find it difficult to decide when to move into AE and how best to organize my work to use each application to its full potential.
So…how do you work? do you stray away from ANY editing in AE and leave it for it’s intended purpose, or in a project with ample graphics would you just do the whole shibang in AE and save yourself the export?
as multimedia peeps we all contend with a variety of applications, so I appreciate your time and any advice.
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1 Reply
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use every program to its strengths….so do your edit in FCP. When you are happy with the picture cut move over to creating the FX.
Its pointless trying to edit in AE – its not made for it. Its pointless doing your graphics until you have a cut that works, because you can guarantee that once you do the graphics, someone will want to change your edit, then you may end up having to redo the graphics.
If the cut is good, then you will only need to do the right number of frames necessary in AE and not waste time finessing graphics that you will lose once back in FCP.
Workflow – you can send a timeline from FCP to AE using Automatic Duck. Good if you want graphics on every shot. If you want to work on only a couple of shots, you could always export the shots needed and import them into AE and line them up up manually. (I always export at 10bt Uncompressed).
I use both methods depending on what i need to do. Once the AE work is done, then render out the shots and reimport it back into FCP where it can be placed on your timeline. But thats not all – you also need to decide whether to render a finished composite or render out just the graphics with the alpha channel so you can overlay it on the video, and perhaps leave yourself the option of tweaking how it interacts with the video.
Theres no hard fast rule – you need to try it and see what works for you.
have fun!
adamAdam Taylor
Video Editor/Audio Mixer/ Compositor/Motion GFX/Barista
Character Options Ltd
Oldham, UK
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