My Life in FCP

[Jeremy Garchow]

[Shane Ross] “OMFs, hardware capture card output for proper monitoring, EDLs (yes, networks still require these…oh, as will RESOLVE)…proper audio configuration.”

I understand it’s not ready. I have not been on the moon for the last 3 weeks.

That was qualified in the original post, that even if all of the above were fixed:

[Rob Tinworth] “Even if I could get over the issues with collaboration/one big project/one big library/no video output; even if they fixed all those in a bells and whistles FCP-X”

I’m just curious as to how much time was spent in FCPX. It’s a fair question isn’t it? Yes, it matters. I could insert all kinds of cliche things here like tests and prejudice, but I won’t.

How much time have you spent in FCPX, Shane?

[Shane Ross]

[Jeremy Garchow] “How much time have you spent in FCPX, Shane?”

Two hours. Not much time, I know, but I lack the time to play at the moment. Borrowed a friends computer, played…didn’t like it. Moving on. Maybe later…later versions. But I don’t like this new interface at all. Doesn’t work for me.

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
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[Rob Tinworth]

I think it’s a valid point – I have spent zero time hands on with FCP-X.

I’ve spent the last two weeks reading reviews, checking the forums, and watching tutorials.

FCP7 works now, but there’s no question that it will not work on the hardware/OS of the future, and that the feature sets of the competing NLEs will only get better and better.

So no need to jump ship right now. But the ship is sinking, and it’s prudent to bagsie your spot in one of those lifeboats.

I made the decision to relearn Avid rather than FCP-X for a couple of reasons. The first is practical – in its current incarnation, its useless in a broadcast post workflow.

But the point of my original post is that I believe that FCP-X will never suit my needs. I’m not saying it’s a terrible piece of software – as you point out, I’ve not even tried it. My point is that the very mind set – one central project – one timeline – keywords – is not geared towards documentary work.

I would love to be wrong.

Rob Tinworth
http://www.1021.tv

[Jeremy Garchow]

[Rob Tinworth] “My point is that the very mind set – one central project – one timeline – keywords – is not geared towards documentary work.”

I don’t see it this way; taking your example of Avid and running with it. Avid stores bins and timelines separately, doesn’t it? So now, does FCPX. Perhaps they are called “Events” and “Projects” instead of “Bins” and “Timelines”, but they are now separated from the project, just like the beloved Avid. So before we all start spreading (and reading) the misinformation that has come out about FCPx, I would encourage you to use it and form your own judgement. I understand people being pissed at Apple. I think it’s mostly about the lack of FCP7 support and availability moving forward and backward FCP7 project compatibility. There’s a lot of projects that we unearth every year to make updates. It is now going to be that much harder to get that done. But it would be hard anyway if we switch NLEs. I look at FCPx as a new NLE, so no matter what, we are starting over no matter what we do.

If you ask me, if Apple decided that they were going to completely start over with FCP, then what they did was smart. Release it hobbled so that not everyone can upgrade automatically to their existing infrastructure. This will get people used to a new interface and squash bugs. This will allow developers time to wrap their heads around the new APIs and it will also give some time to play with it before Lion is released, which in my guesstimate, is what is really holding back FCPx at this time. For better. For worse.

[Shane Ross]

[Jeremy Garchow] “. Avid stores bins and timelines separately, doesn’t it?”

Nope. It makes bins, and you must store media and timelines in those bins. Unlike FCP 7, you can’t have things lose in the Browser, you must put them in a Bin. But you can have sequences and media in the same bin.

[Jeremy Garchow] ” Perhaps they are called “Events” and “Projects” instead of “Bins” and “Timelines”,”

Which is a HUGE problem…changing the terminology. Now editors can’t communicate properly with each other. Well, users of FCP X and the rest of the editing world…

[Jeremy Garchow] “but they are now separated from the project, just like the beloved Avid”

Incorrect. See what I said above. Guess you haven’t used Avid in a while? Or at all?

Apple started off fresh, and let the world know they don’t care about the 3% in the broadcast/film world. Yeah, they said they’d add things, but I know that a lot of what we need won’t be added. Because Apple doesn’t believe that tape exists anymore…so they rely on third party apps…that might work for some things, but not all. And much more. They are moving to the more profitable prosumer/consumer and leaving the high end behind.

And yes, I have insider information…

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[David Roth weiss]

Jeremy,

Your position is one that is shared by many and has, as you know, been expressed ad-infinitum here and elsewhere.

But, I think you and the others might well be mistaken. I believe the designers at Apple may have created a model that a) may not represent an improvement at all, b) may not work well with the hard-wired way we as editors work with events in time, and c) which may in fact encourage the development of inferior skills and practices.

Maybe I’m not right, but then maybe neither are you and those who presently think this is the new great thing.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.com

Don’t miss my new tutorial: Prepare for a seamless transition to FCP X and OS X Lion
https://library.creativecow.net/weiss_roth_david/FCP-10-MAC-Lion/1

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

Creative COW contributing editor and a forum host of the Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums.

[Don Walker]

Rob,

I too would like to say that was an awesome piece. I would also like to commend you, for the honesty without the hysteria. I have not had a chance to edit on FCP-X yet, because as a one man shop, I should not spend money on new software unless I’m rich or ready to make the move, and I’m neither. This last 3 weeks has made me really evaluate my Fanboy mentality, as I contemplate a move over to not only Premiere, but a PC workflow as well.

don walker
texarkana, texas

John 3:16

[Rob Tinworth]

Same here – overnight conversion from Apple Fanboy. I worship at the Church of Steve no more. At my rantiest, I threw my hands into the air and said “That’s it! I’m buying a PC!” Then I calmed down and realised that was just the crazy talking.

I am very concerned about the direction it looks like Lion is going (I like things being unreasonably complicated), but I’m hoping they’ll update the macpros tomorrow and that can form the heart of a new edit setup.

So the question I’ve been wrestling with is: What is that setup going to be?

Going beyond the pros and cons and cons and cons of FCP-X, let’s just place me in the anti camp.

So, no on FCP-X. Let’s say no on Premiere (although I really need to take a closer look at that – I’ve only heard good things about it) because I’ve been forcing production companies and post houses to fit into my FCP7 workflow for years, and the idea of telling them they now all need to invest in Adobe doesn’t appeal.

Specifically, my next project is likely to be a collaboration that gets reversioned in Europe. They’ve wanted Avid files in the past, so let’s assume I fold, cut on Avid and hope I get better at it.

Does anyone have any suggestions for how I set that system up? How do I colour correct in this post-FCP-Color world? I used to drive everything through my BMD Multibridge, but now it looks like Avid will talk to AJA but not Blackmagic, and Resolve will talk to BM but not AJA. Do I need two systems? Do I rely on plug ins for CC? Do I step away from colour correction altogether and pass off my MC files to a Symphony?

I think the answer to all these questions is Don’t Do Anything. Wait and see what happens with MC6 and 64 bit. Wait and try Resolve lite. Wait and watch what happens with thunderbolt. Wait and hope new IO options spring up.

But in the meantime, I keep trying to picture my edit setup next year. I’d just be much happier if that picture were clearer.

Rob Tinworth
http://www.1021.tv

[Jeremy Garchow]

[Shane Ross] “ncorrect. See what I said above. Guess you haven’t used Avid in a while? Or at all?”

A very long time. ’96 or there abouts, so really, it doesn’t count. M100 used to have availability to bins and timelines at the finder level. Doesn’t Avid store bins at the finder level?

[Shane Ross] “Which is a HUGE problem…changing the terminology. Now editors can’t communicate properly with each other. Well, users of FCP X and the rest of the editing world…”

It’s not that bad. When you use it, you will see the potential. I’m not kidding. It’s going to take more than a cursory look at what’s going on. As I said on the Twitter, with a plug in, FCPx can export an OMF today. The receiver will receive an OMF, what more do they need to know? It does not feel like an unprofessional application to me, but perhaps my opinion doesn’t count. Do I think it’s ready for primetime? No. Do I think it will ever be ready? I simply don’t know. Do I think it could be? Absolutely. If you look at what is in there instead of what isn’t, it starts to become a bit more clear. ALso, FCP1 started out the same way. Everyone laughed, no one took it seriously, and then what happened?

I am not defending Apple. There was no reason to release a product like this, especially to a rather large group of savvy communicators.

[Shane Ross] “And yes, I have insider information…”

That what else can you reliably tell us besides someone knows more than us pleebs?

[Shane Ross]

Footage and cuts can’t exist on the main level of the Avid Browser….they must reside in BINS. and on the FINDER level, those bins are separate folders. Which is how Avid can keep project sizes smaller. More bins you have open, the more bloated it gets.

I can’t say all that I know…otherwise I expose who tells me things.

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def