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Masterclips / Subclips and Re-Capturing
Hi there I’m about to undertake a documentary edit. I have captured 80 1 hour tapes in 10 minute segments. I did this as I was told it was better for FCP not to have to reference large files. So I have many 10 minute files. I am now going through my footage and organizing everything into bins. I have made a special Bin called Original Footage with everything in it. I then ‘Duplicated as New Master Clip’ all of my files. So now I have another whole set I can play around with without disturbing my originals should I need to go back to them at some point. I am now renaming and organising into bins all of my footage. The most common thing I am doing is breaking a 10 minute segment into 2 or 3 subclips then deleting the original Master Clip. So far so good, these new subclips are master clips. I read the following statement in the user manual:
If you have several master clips that refer to exactly the same media, make sure you use only one of them for editing unless you have a reason to use a different one. Keeping multiple master clips that refer to the same media file can be potentially confusing during media management, recapturing, and reconnecting.
Occasionally I would like to have two copies of the same subclip in different Bins. Say there is a clip that contains beautiful scenic shot. I put that in the Scenic shots bin. That same clip however features my main character so I’d also like to make another subclip and put it in my main characters dedicated bin.
My question is if I start editing with these two different subclips and the two different bits make it into the final edit will I cause myself confusion later on. I am planning on recapturing all my footage as ProRes HD (it is currently DV from HDV deck) once I’ve locked my edit.
After all I will potentially be using two different masterclips that reference the same media file on disk
Can someone explain why “keeping multiple master clips that refer to the same media file can be potentially confusing during media management, recapturing, and reconnecting.”
Thanks and all the best
James Bayliss-Smith
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3 Replies
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I believe the warning is that you “MAY” wind up with HUGE trim handles on some clips.
Example:
subclip #1 – 00:01:00:00 – 00:02:30:00
subclip #2 – 00:08:15:00 – 00:09:30:00both referencing a clip that is 00:00:00:00 – 00:10:00:00
When you go to ONLINE capture this media managed version of your timeline, FCP “MAY” prompt to capture one clip from 00:01:00:00-00:09:30:00 instead of your two clips.
If this does happen, there are workarounds.
Several years ago I was in a rush job (using FCP 5?) and ended up with a similar situation and the solution was dumping out an EDL, importing the EDL into a brand new project with no trim handles, then I captured all the media with 1 second trim handles. Worked “flawlessly” that way, except for a few random clips that I ended up relogging/capturing and replacing on the timeline.
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Thanks Brian,
Well this doesn’t sound so bad or hard to manage for the few instances where this might happen. Any one else got any tips about potential problems I will encounter when recapturing all my footage at HD once I’ve locked the picture? In relation to subclips or anthing else for that matter,
Thanks
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I’d recommend you do a test of a short sequence ahead of time to avoid any huge headaches and to test your workflow. Better to know now if there’s an issue than have a surprise with a headache that may be more of a problem than you expect.
FYI, EDL export/import into FCP is terrible with audio keyframes/mixing, so I’d highly recommend against doing any kind of audio work until you online your project. XML is better, but XML may give you issues with your multiple subclips – never had to deal with them on an XML personally…
Generally speaking, in the past when I have made multiple MASTER CLIPS it has been off of digitally acquired footage (such as RED) where the DP accidentally left the camera rolling, or there were several different shots within the media clip. Getting true “subclips” into After Effects with matching TC and positional placement is a major headache 90% of the time, so I try to avoid them since the majority of my work sees at least something go into AE.
Doing multiple master clips (using the “make new master clip” from the right-click menu) has never been a problem for my workflow/edits in the past. As long as you don’t mind the possibility of having to capture the entire original referenced media clip (the whole 10 minute segment), you will most likely avoid any potential problems.
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