[Jeff Pierce]

Hi Dave.

Yes, can extend ins and outs.

Got it figured out with the help of Rafael — see below. The default timebase was the root of my problem.

Thanks for your response though.

jp

[Jeff Pierce]

Hi Raf.

Thanks for your response.

That was it!

I looked at the link… and my project is so simple, that it’s easier for me to just start over than to use XML to repair what I’ve started. But the info was very useful for getting my setting correct.

So I created a new project with the proper settings and all is well.

But it’s worth noting — for archiving of this thread — that when I imported the original media files into the new project, they were still coming in at 23.97 fps… had me stumped. Apparently FCP still had its hooks in that media and was assigning that timebase to it. So I copied the media to a new folder, and imported it from the new folder – that way FCP treated it as fresh media… and problem solved!

Thanks a bunch!

[Jeff Pierce]

Thanks for your response.

Do you mean an animation? If so, no.

This is just 5 jpg images with a dissolve between each, and a full screen logo over a color background for the last few seconds. It’s a really simple timeline.

[Jeff Pierce]

“Get your hands off the mouse, you will edit faster. Command +”

Get your finger off the Command button. Map the zoom in/out functions to the +/- keys and you’ll edit faster. 🙂

[Jeff Pierce]

I think you’re fighting a losing battle trying to make the video look conventional.

I don’t know what your project is, but the subject looks like he’s playing rock music in a club. Make it stylized. Embrace the red… maybe add a slight glow to it. Add a little bit of an “edge” to the footage. Sometimes the best imagery in a project is unplanned.

Just a thought.

Good luck… and let us know how you make out.

[Jeff Pierce]

While it’s technically possible to drive a nail with a screwdriver, it’s a lot easier to do it with a hammer.

If this is a timelapse, then we’re talking stills. Why limit yourself to the capabilities of FCP?

How well do you know Photo Shop? You or somebody who knows Photo Shop could mask out that equipment rack with minimal effort. It’ll have a rock solid alpha channel so you can key it over whatever background you want.

Good luck.

[Jeff Pierce]

As indicated below, the audio is distorted and that can’t be fitered out. You may be able to isolate the distortion and minimize it with a more sophisticated EQ. I would suggest bringing the clip into Soundtrack, and using the 10 band or 31 band EQ. Soundtrack will loop the clip, which might allow you to isolate the distortion.

That distortion is in the mid to high frequency range. So as it’s looping, just select a slider and drag it down to the lowest setting. If you notice a dramatic decrease in the distortion, you’ve found your frequency. Then “soften” the transition in and out of that frequency by adjusting the sliders on either side of the “target” frequency.

I’ll warn you that this may not work at all. But it’s worth a shot.

Good luck.

[Jeff Pierce]

I usually work on a SAN which has dual redundancy. So that is clearly the safest option in terms of catastrophic drive failure.

I agree that there are about as many methods of organizing files and media files as there are editors — my question was really aimed exclusively at use of the Capture Scratch folder.

You all confirmed my theory that the way it was taught to us is by no means an industry standard. I’m still curious if it’s even a widely used standard? Any input is appreciated.

[Jeff Pierce]

“Your problem is that you work with other editors who are using a system you’re not comfortable with.”

Bahh…to hell with them! 🙂

Seriously though, several of them hate it to, but they’re less likely to question process. If I introduce them to a new method that utilizes the software more effectively, then I think everyone will be on board with it — we’ll see.

One quick follow-up question: I frequently have projects that contain no digitzed video. They’re either all graphics or the video comes as QT files. In this case, FCP never creates a folder on the Scratch Disk for the project — so I have to do it manually (and make sure my project name matches that folder name exactly. Any thoughts on a better practice for this?

Again, thanks in advance.

[Jeff Pierce]

Thanks for the repy Shane.

So if I don’t use multiple scratch disks (which I don’t) then there’s no reason for the method I discibed, right?

Again, thanks in advance.