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Latest version of Cinema Tools… anyone used it?
Hi guys,
I’ve cut about 4 short films with neg cuts using Cinema Tools and before that Film Logic. For the most part
these experiences have been pretty good ones. However, I have always shyed away from trying to
do a feature film neg cut using FCP for this reason. FCP will not generate 29.97 timecode in its cut list, it
generates 23.98 timecode, which is basically useless. The timecode is there so the negative cutters can
find the corresponding frame on the lock box tape, which is in 29.97. So, on past projects I’ve had
to manually enter in the timecode event by event. A process that is manageable in a short film, but
pretty daunting on a feature. In addition to this FCP offers very little control of how the various info
in the neg cut is formated. For instance, in won’t let you print out timecode and keycode on the same list.
If you work with the old school neg cutters like I do, they aren’t very keen in working with lists that
are not formated to there specs and that don’t have timecode. So this means even more work.
The neg cutters, in fact, make the productions sign a waiver saying that any messups are not there fault,
because they dislike FCP neg cut lists so much. So this is my gripe.My question is, has any of this been resolved in Cinemat Tools 3? Or has anyone heard of any talk
of changing these features? Anyone else find this annoying? Or have any work arounds?Cheers
Julian
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2 Replies
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Find another neg cutter. Seriously. In addition to all the Avid shows I’ve cut, I’ve edited several features on FCP and neg cut with CT cut lists. It’s never been a big problem. The optical lists are what give me real problems. I just started cutting another 35mm feature this week. I’m starting off with FCP5 and CT 3.0. I’m grateful that Apple finally integrated some of the features of CT into FCP. It’s only a one way street, but that’s better than nothing. I’ll be playing around more with CT in the coming months. I’d be interested to see if CT can flag a flop as an optical yet. Got bit by that “oversight” several times.
Normally I use the Aurora Igniter to do the reverse telecine in RT. However, I thought I would try the DV/CT reverse telecine process on this film. After a few major hiccups in the workflow I’m getting into a rhythm now. At this point there don’t seem to be any major upgrades to CT other than better FCP integration. Time will tell.
The resistance of a negative cutter to Cinema Tools cut lists shouldn’t be a hold up for using FCP and CT to cut a 35mm feature. There are plenty of neg cutters out there who will gladly work with you.
Michael Alberts
Ambidextrous Productions, Inc. -
[Michael Alberts] “The resistance of a negative cutter to Cinema Tools cut lists shouldn’t be a hold up for using FCP and CT to cut a 35mm feature. There are plenty of neg cutters out there who will gladly work with you. “
Here in Vancouver, I think we only have about 2 options for neg cutters. So, without going out of town, you have to work with who you can get. Yes FCP, prejudice is annoying to deal with, but It is not just a pain having the neg cutter complain about the lack of 29.97 timecode, this code serves a useful purpose. The neg cutter checks the neg, to the lock box tape event by event as the film is cut. This is to avoid messups that can happen when you have bad keycode in your FLX file (this has happened to me). If the neg cutter does not have accurate timecode to reference for this process, then this is not really possible. So, I don’t think this feature is optional. Do you just not worry about this on the features you cut?
Cheers
Julian
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