Andy Lewis
Forum Replies Created
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Talking of paradigm shifts, here’s what I keep expecting to see in an FCP update: some spectacular update to storyboard editing in the browser.
As it stands: Icon view, arrange clips (left to right, top to bottom), drag into the timeline. It’s been in FCP for ever but hasn’t been developed at all.
I’m not the only kid with a 27″ monitor. How about an infinitely zoomable space with filmstrips on it filling the whole screen as a way to start a rough cut? Think of the possibilities with gestures/trackpad/ipad control – draw a circle around clips to group them, pinch to zoom, command-circle to make a timeline.
I find keywords utterly useless as a meaningful organisational tool – I’m a visual person, that’s why I work in video. Give me a y-axis and 2 whole dimensions, with a 1-dimensional timeline for finishing.
While we’re at it, how about a spatial view for output as well? A nodal compressor with access to all FCP effects and motion templates.
Out.
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If Boris Title 3D doesn’t open quicker in FCPX, I’ll be taking my business elsewhere.
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I work on mostly short-form stuff and I keep full backups of all original media. Surely the worst that could happen is that I lose a couple of days work.
Given that FCPX might save me a couple of days just in the first month (rendering time, efficiency of not having to round trip through color and STP for a start) then maybe it’s worth a gamble.
Or is there something I haven’t thought of? Will it steal my car and run off with my woman?
And have I now made disaster a certainty by stupidly asking the question “What’s the worst that could happen?”
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If you do hand over the raw footage, is it possible to make sure they don’t use it with your name attached? You say you want to protect your brand. Would a written agreement along the lines of “I will give you the footage as long as my name is not associated with any use you make of it” be useful in court? I’m not a lawyer so this is a question rather than advice.
The tapes issue aside, I would suggest you start recording phone messages in case harrasment continues. from your account, it seems like you are dealing with people who are either cynically manipulative or mentally ill.
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I hope it’s not the future. Being able to view photos full screen is useful. Everything else in the demo is gimmicky and pointless. Maybe it’s the choice of book – maybe there are subjects or formats that would benefit from a fluid mix of text, video and (be afraid!) interaction. Just not this one.
If I’m reading Al Gore’s writing, why do I need to hear his voice? Do I need to know where a photo was taken? If I click on Al Gore’s shirt, can I buy it online? Actually, that definitely is the future.
It looks to me like the shiny new portable version of CD-ROM and animated GIFs.
On a side note, I work in education and see attempts to make information interactive and sexy all the time. There seems to be an assumption that no one under 16 has the patience to read anything anymore, or think about something without an accompanying animation. Cos… you know… learning’s boring isn’t it? And then I see 12 year olds reading 19th century novels in a second language, so engrossed they don’t notice you’ve walked into the room.
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In answer to the OP’s actual question:
The macbook pro’s have just been updated so I would be extremely surprised (and annoyed, as I’ve just bought one) if FCPX will only run on a 10-second-old macbook pro with the new Quantum Stargate (TM) drive.
So yes, no problem getting one now.
Playing around with imovie 11 is good advice.
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Getting the fastest machine you can afford makes a lot of sense if you are only ever going to buy one computer and use it for the rest of your life. Otherwise, this is usually bad advice.
Moore’s law means that this year’s top end mac pro will be slower than a 2013 imac. There may be other reasons to buy a mac pro but, in terms of speed per dollar, buying low-end and replacing frequently always wins over buying top-end and being “future proof” for a few years.
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There may still be good reasons to buy a mac pro but I don’t think speed counts as one of them. Unless it’s worth your while paying to be at the top end all the time, and upgrading frequently.
If you’re buying a top-end mac pro and replacing it every 5 years you might be doing it wrong. You’d get a faster system on average replacing an imac every 2 years.
Exponential curves, innit.
Not that speed per dollar is everything.Anyway, thunderbolt means I’ll never buy me the giant silver toaster and I can’t say I’m sad.
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Hi Mike,
It’s easy enough to predict. 1.4 is two stops faster than 2.8.
So the 1.4 wide open should, at 800 iso, have the same exposure as 2.8 at 3200 (but without the noise).That said, you will have very shallow depth of field. Even with static interviews I don’t like to go bigger than 2.8 – although that’s on a full frame.
The 1.8 is good also and less money. Or yes, get some lighting.
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It’s the same all over. I’m going to spend the mac pro money (tomorrow!) on a 5d mark2. Because i can’t wait any longer for red/nikon/panasonic/fisher-price to do it properly. Excited though.
Of course all these companies know their business. Maybe I’m dreaming, but imagine a company that made every product as amazing as it could be. Yes, they would cannibalise sales from their own product lines but imagine the kudos and brand loyalty.
Apple does a lot better than most companies at making truly great stuff. My girlfriend is going to by an imac and she has no idea what an ips screen is, but she will appreciate it once she has it.
Apple does ok, relatively, but maybe there is room for a company that does things better for you and me.