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Walter Murch won’t use FCX
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[Oliver Peters] “I think you are putting entirely too much faith into a “grand plan”. I don’t think that’s the case with Apple. If there were, you wouldn’t be hearing all these rumors about an Apple TV system. That would clearly be targeted at fairly standard “big programs”. Granted, the delivery may be over the web, but the trend is away from small web content to moving real, long-form news and dramatic production to the web. The Internet replaces TV networks, but the production and post paradigms don’t change much. At least that’s my forecast.”
Just as Cable impacted the big three networks and the locals, over time, market share erodes. The “big shows of today” aren’t quite as big as the big shows of the 50’s (market share). Programing diversifies and shares fragment. As thing move to the internet we’re seeing a move a way from 30 and 60 minute time slots since things move to On Demand vs. scheduled and sequenced broadcast day.
In another odd way, we may be moving back to the days of cinema before TV. You’d go to a movie and see shorts, cartoons, news, a feature. Programing on the internet may range in duration now, like they did then.
Tangentially I think we’re going to see an increase in “live” programing as well. I think this will hit news first as immediacy will gain value relative to the “package.”
Advertising itself is diversifying as video marketing goes well beyond the limits of the 30 seconds spot. Ironically some of the viral marketing videos today are boarding on the old method of “sponsored” shows (entertainment built around product or service offered).
Cinema didn’t go away, the networks didn’t go away, but both the market and diversity of content and the PROFESSIONAL means of delivery are expanding.
It’ll be interesting to see where AppleTV is going. I wouldn’t doubt it’ll be a bit more that a TV with cable and iTunes access with a nifty interface. If that is what it is, it may fail. I see boxes like Roku who’s content sources is far more diverse being the way forward.
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[Jim Giberti] “It’s good you’re entertained Oliver. It’s interesting that you think that he wouldn’t mix a film in Logic though. Because he works in Pro Tools doesn’t mean that it’s superior. I’m sure he’s like every other creative pro – he uses what’s he’s most comfortable using out of a range of quality tools.”
I wasn’t commenting on the quality of the tool. I know several mixers who have moved from Pro Tools to Logic and like it. However, feature film and episodic TV production is a team effort and for the most part the audio editors and mixers use Pro Tools or Fairlight. You have to be compatible. Plus, the re-recording mix is going to be done at a studio dubbing stage or maybe a place like Skywalker. That stage is going to be equipped with Pro Tools for last minute editorial changes as well as integration with large control surfaces, external audio processing equipment and video slave control.
Oliver
Oliver Peters Post Production Services, LLC
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com -
[Jeremy Garchow] ” So you know Mr Murch?”
I wouldn’t say I know him well, but I have interviewed both Murch and his associate editor on many films (Sean Cullen) for three different articles. So a total of several hours of conversation about the films, editing styles and philosophy, etc. Also a lot of this SM seems to echo his NAB SM presentation of several years ago. There he went into heavy detail about the post on “Youth Without Youth”. I think Rick Young’s site has the video presentation. It’s at least an hour or more long and well worth the time to watch it.
[Jeremy Garchow] “And if his assistants got him to FCP, then couldn’t one of those savvy one’s get to him to take a good look at FCPX?”
Maybe they don’t like it either. Remember, there are other major issues with FCP X, like the unified viewer, versus source/record windows. Watch “The Cutting Edge” DVD and there’s a section in it where Murch goes through a cut in “Cold Mountain” that deals with eye-line matching.
[Jeremy Garchow] “And as far as audio mix, he can get a lot done for rough cuts at a better quality in X than in 7,”
Although I’m intrigued by Jim’s workflow description, I would disagree. Working in compound clips makes things quite cumbersome. You’ll note the size of the real estate that timeline took up. One of the problems with FCP X is the rigid window layout. If you needed to spread out a timeline across the full monitor, you can’t. Let’s take something easy, like 24 tracks of audio all stacked. If I want to see them in a single timeline and not 3 compound clips of 8 tracks each, FCP X forces a lot of scrolling in a very small window area. Very limiting.
I haven’t tried the Pomfort plug-in yet, but one of my clients has it installed, so I should get to play with it in the coming week.
Oliver
Oliver Peters Post Production Services, LLC
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com -
Found a short video of Walter Murch talking about FCPX during last week’s Boston Supermeet op YouTube. Here it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C8Kdm32btg
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If you watch Murch’s presentation here (12 minutes), his reaction to “X” mirrors the rest of us — confused by Apple’s new trajectory, cautiously optimistic, hopeful but realistic, and at the end of the day, wondering if this new software will work for him.
Illuminating — thanks Juan, for posting this.
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Bill, I think another element is being overlooked here.
There is a new ability to make a small budget documentary these days and to me FCP X fits right into that.
Look at a film like Gasland (that’s a great and important film) a film like that with a small budget because of it’s tone might have trouble getting funding.
Did you see that film? Look at the type of low end cameras he used to shoot it. UNHEARD OF years ago.
Oscar nominated now. Because in the end it’s about can you tell a story.That’s the type of film that will play right into the hands of FCP X.
Yeah, some big studio might not want to cut Spiderman 8 (or whatever) today on X but thank God that’s not the only type of film being made these days.
(Nothing against those films, it’s just cool to have options)
Another element that seem to be overlooked is shooting.
The landscape has changed with all these cheap HD cameras.
I’m seeing more and more people at big events shooting interviews with the 7D. Everyone records their audio separate then syncs it up in post.
Again, right into the hands of FCP X with its audio wave sync function.
It’s a faster easier way to cut that type of footage and they (Apple) know that’s where a lot of new stuff is going.
It’s almost like the forum could be broken into two parts. Feature film, and everything else.
At some point a person will hold an Oscar over their head with X.
Then I will say “I called it” : )
Tony West
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Murch is a genius, but I really couldn’t care what software he uses.
“My Name is Steve and I’m an FCPX user”
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[Stuart Short] “Always interesting to see how willing some people are to hate on X and/or Apple without little to no rhyme nor reason. Both quite obviously scare the livin’ poo out of a LOT of people here. Bizarre really. Makes you wonder.”
Really? Are you applying that to Murch? If so it hardly makes sense. Apple got a lot of mileage out of his using FCP on films, especially when they offered no support during “Cold Mountain”. Since then he’s had routine contact with them offering suggestions for advancing the application.
Oliver
Oliver Peters Post Production Services, LLC
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com -
Stuart,
You’re trotting out all the usual dismissive straw man arguments:
– Anyone who isn’t enthusiastic about X hates Apple
– “Old time” editors are frightened of technology and changeYou missed a couple:
– Apple knows better; if Apple makes it then it’s superior
– Everyone is just being too emotionalSince you seem to have missed it, I’ll point out that there is actually good critical discussion going on in these threads.
[Stuart Short] “Wow… to put any value whatsoever into someone’s opinion that admits to having never actually USED X and cites missing features that in fact aren’t missing, merely because he’s a great editor?”
For the record, he clearly states he’s talking about the june release when XML and SAN support were missing. He also states these features were added in the september update.
Also, he states he hasn’t used the software “in a real world situation” (not that he’s “never used” it). I don’t know whether you’re expecting him to adopt unproven software on a multi-million dollar project, but if you are then you’ve shown something of your character and experience.
Franz.
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Juan, Thanks.
… an essential addition to this post.
I want to know what he said in the part that is edited out in the middle!
Funny his choice of words when he talks about Apple attempting to “rebuild a professional ecosystem”. Like after an earthquake.
Also funny where he compares Apple to the Soviet government. Iron curtain indeed!
Franz.
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