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Five Days in Vegas – Notes from the field.
Somehow, I thought this NAB would be kinda dull. Don’t know why, but boy was I wrong. It was anything but. In fact, it was one of the most interesting NABs out of the 20 odd years I’ve been attending.
I was there, in part, reporting for another web site, which is why I “go dark” here during my time there. And I’m trying to find time to finish polishing about 15 video reports from the show floor for them – plus get my taxes finished and get back to my own hovering clients.
So just a few top of mind notes for all my friends (and enemies, if there are some left!) here.
First, it was a killer show for cameras.
4K was supposed to be the big story – and it was – particularly regards the looming battle in the affordable 4k-ish space. I got to do an extensive interview with Dan May of Black Magic including fondling the URSA and The Production Camera– and got a close up look at the AJA Cion. The “bang for the buck” in the camera space is going nuts.I actually expected the “term of the year” to be “4k” – but it really wasn’t. Hands down the stand out word this year was “gimbal” – Must have heard that word three dozen times in conversations both participated in and overheard during the show.
Finally, Before I left town, I wrote a piece elsewhere for NAB newbies stressing that it’s not so much the “stuff” that makes a trip to NAB special, it’s the people you meet. And boy was that true this year. I met a boatload of truly wonderful people. The Supermeet was again epic. And the real prize was the Linked In requests that I got during the show – not from strangers, but from pros with whom I raised a glass (or 3) and got to know in the press room, the after parties, and in the suites off the show floor.
I posted on Facebook from the departure lounge that I thought this was one of the best NABs in years – and a significant number of my connections agreed.
Can’t wait for next year.
Know someone who teaches video editing in elementary school, high school or college? Tell them to check out http://www.StartEditingNow.com – video editing curriculum complete with licensed practice content.
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25 Replies
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Sounds like a very interesting year, including some disruption over at the Adobe booth. I can only imagine the stress level there.
While not able to attend this year, was very impressed by the news. Not only here on the Cow but from various other sources. I think the team at Black Magic Design came out with some really impressive stuff this year — studio cameras, the high end 4K camera and Resolve 11 was the cake along with the icing.
Disappointed but not surprised about no news from Apple on an update to FCP X, was really hoping for some type of announcement regarding a 10.1.2 release, hoping for next week. That being said, it is taking a very good direction and expect it to continue to do so.
There will be probably more exciting news to come, this year was very impressive.
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[David Mathis] “Disappointed but not surprised about no news from Apple on an update to FCP X, was really hoping for some type of announcement regarding a 10.1.2 release, hoping for next week. That being said, it is taking a very good direction and expect it to continue to do so.”
There was an FCP X update… it’s called Resolve 11 (sorry, couldn’t resist)…
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.” – Winston Churchill
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[Mitch Ives] “There was an FCP X update… it’s called Resolve 11”
No, that was an update to FCP 7. The X update is probably in the works, and will probably disappoint everyone but those who use it. I have no insider knowledge but… I’m pretty sure they’re not bringing back tracks 😉
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~ My FCPX Babbling blog ~
~”It is a poor craftsman who blames his tools.”~
~”The function you just attempted is not yet implemented”~ -
[Mitch Ives] “There was an FCP X update… it’s called Resolve 11 (sorry, couldn’t resist)…”
You sure that’s not Resolve 11, the Color Corrector that thinks it’s an NLE? – (operating war cry: We don’t need no stinkin’ DATABASE!)
I’m teasing of course.
I had great on-camera tour of all the new Black Magic stuff from BM President Dan May and am currently cutting it into web sized pieces in my spare time. Those guys at Black Magic are kicking tail. But seriously, Resolve’s newly included editorial functions – while totally appropriate for cleaning up minor problems that make it to the grading stage, is no full featured editing platform. At least not this year.
I think it’s more like approached shooting video on DSLRs – we were willing to live with the limitations because we got those incredible pictures at an amazing price, but when you get your paws on something like the C-300 that lets you get the big sensor and great glass – AND has robust audio and sophisticated monitoring capabilities – you kind remember what you’ve been missing in DSLR land.
Same with editing on Resolve, I expect. Of course, this is pure speculation, nobody I know has actually cut anything on it. So let your imaginations run wild. No harm in that.
Know someone who teaches video editing in elementary school, high school or college? Tell them to check out http://www.StartEditingNow.com – video editing curriculum complete with licensed practice content.
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[Charlie Austin] “No, that was an update to FCP 7. The X update is probably in the works, and will probably disappoint everyone but those who use it. I have no insider knowledge but… I’m pretty sure they’re not bringing back tracks ;-)”
Spoken like someone who hasn’t actually stood in front of it? It’s more than tracks. It’s a keyframe system that has you hoping Apple will steal it. The two guys behind me went “dammit” when they saw that. They both said why couldn’t Apple do that?
It’s a trimming system that feels more Apple than FCP X.
This is the first release. Lets see what it looks like in a year. Let’s face it, Apple hasn’t set the world on fire in the last three years in terms of progress either.
I honestly see R11 as filling in a lot of gaps in FCP X, I don’t see it replacing it. Having said that, maybe it’ll light a fire under Apple’s posterior and we’ll see some real progress and more filling in gaps? Pipe dream probably, but hey miracles can happen.
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.” – Winston Churchill
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[Bill Davis] “Resolve’s newly included editorial functions – while totally appropriate for cleaning up minor problems that make it to the grading stage, is no full featured editing platform. At least not this year. “
I guess that depends on what you think an editing system is? If you think the database is the only thing that counts, then sure. If you think that the trimming functions in FCP X are pathetic, then you might feel otherwise. BMD’s first attempt shows real genius.
If you find yourself asking why it took Apple three years to come up with a barely functioning system for managing keyframes, while BMD accidentally did it better the first time than Apple has after three years, then you might feel different. I guess it all depends on what kind of work you do, If you’re all cuts and dissolves, none of this matters.
BTW, I thought the hybrid track thing was interesting. A single track that represents several tracks, yet can still have some track functionality was inspired. Sort of the best of both worlds. Felt very “Apple-esqe”… the old Apple anyway.
Apple’s had three years. Imagine what R14 will look like? Hey Apple, feel that warm breath on your neck? Channel Steve and do what you used to be capable of… and do something inspiring with FCP X…
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.” – Winston Churchill
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[Mitch Ives] “Spoken like someone who hasn’t actually stood in front of it? It’s more than tracks. It’s a keyframe system that has you hoping Apple will steal it. The two guys behind me went “dammit” when they saw that. They both said why couldn’t Apple do that?”
You’re misinterpreting me I think… I’m not criticizing R11. I’ve got 10, 11 looks really nice and I plan on DL’ing it as soon as it’s available. I *am* criticizing the “this is what X should have been!” glee.
If this sort of timeline is what you’ve been waiting for, great. 🙂 I guess that I haven’t been missing tracks as much as some people… 😉 I agree that it’d be nice if KB trimming in X activated the 2 up display (or maybe 4 someday) and Apple put bezier handles in all the Video Animation tabs, not just opacity…
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~ My FCPX Babbling blog ~
~”It is a poor craftsman who blames his tools.”~
~”The function you just attempted is not yet implemented”~ -
[Mitch Ives] “If you think that the trimming functions in FCP X are pathetic, then you might feel otherwise. BMD’s first attempt shows real genius.”
I’m guessing that you do find the trimming functions in FCP X pathetic? What about the trim tools do you find lacking or not up to par?
“Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right.”
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It adds tracks. I like tracks. I mean I love tracks! 🙂
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[Mitch Ives] “If you think that the trimming functions in FCP X are pathetic”
Huh?
Last time I counted there were 32 keyboard shortcuts dedicated to some part of the trimming functions including selection of edit points, tops and tail operations, ripple and roll via keyboard selection and nudge keys, subframe audio trimming, trim to ranges (admittedly X specific since ranges exist in no other program), etc.
Add in that they put an entire module (the precision editor) to blow up any individual edit point and allow the editor to see the content on both sides of any cut and use all of the above- I’m having trouble reconciling the term “pathetic” with those capabilities..
But I’m open to possibly misunderstanding you, Mitch. And others, lets make this an open discussion – what is it about trimming operations that X is specifically missing?
Know someone who teaches video editing in elementary school, high school or college? Tell them to check out http://www.StartEditingNow.com – video editing curriculum complete with licensed practice content.
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