[Jona Taylor]

Hi Dave, thanks for jumping in.

I upgraded from Leopard to Snow Leopard. Snow Leopard retained all my application and personal files.

After the installed Snow Leopard I upgraded using Software Update and then brought FCP from 7 to 7.0.3 using ProApplicationsUpdate2010-02 from https://support.apple.com/kb/DL949

So no clean instal.

Actually what I think I’m seeing is that FCP doesn’t seem to drop frames when I stop playing back on the external monitor Dell U2711 via dvi port and just use the Macbook Pro’s screen. Still need to test. Could this be the problem??? Not enough power to fire everything at the same time? Everything ran well before going from 6 to 7.

Thoughts?

Big thanks Dave 🙂

[Jona Taylor]

Good stuff Rafael! Totally appreciate the insights.

I’m still trying to understand which is the best way forward. The past 2 weeks I’ve learned a lot.
It’s so easy to want to run out and buy the latest tools. The question is will they help or get in the way? The real challenge here is to build this film (story) in the most interesting way without getting lost in the tools that help me do it. I have what I need to do that, and it’s good to know what’s available because often the tools we have can inform our editing decisions.

Eat a nice papaya salad for me!
Jona

[Jona Taylor]

Hey folks, I really appreciate your perspectives and really want to thank you all for chiming in. Means the word to have a community like this 🙂

Chris.
– Short and concise comments that nails the larger overview. Agreed.
– “Don’t look back.” For sure man. A bleary eye continues scans the distant horizon.

Walter.
Practicality and necessity.
– Storage? Yes good point, no problem for storage 5bay Firmtek ESata.
– Now understood the need to have footage in edit friendly form ie. Prores.
– Good point on the ‘no updates’ while in the project.
– Had a look at Adobe Prelude, good to know that it available. I wonder just how many folks would find it useful and to what degree.
– Sorry couldn’t find the comment on Premiere degrading image quality on export but I remember they didn’t list/ show any proof/ info to support.

Douglas!
I absolutely see what you are saying and fully agree with you in your matter of fact approach to tacking this project. With so much that went into the production side of it’s smart to not fall short during the post. The tricky part for me comes with trying to keep a balance between having the right tool for the job and managing the cost that goes with it. Every 4-5 years I have to change out my cameras and Macbook for projects that see me chafing my dreams in Asia while living of arts council grants and pulling the occasional camera gig for large budget docs. As such I’m never in any one place for very long and can only carry so much with me at one time. For sure a new iMac looks tasty, just wondering if it will fit into the overhead luggage? Really appreciate your perspective and insight… you nailed it!

[Jona Taylor]

Hi Rafael,

Appreciate your insights, my dilemma gets a step closer to being sorted with each fresh insight.

My hope is to avoid winding up in a situation like this: https://forums.creativecow.net/readpost/3/933333

Right now I am updating the 2008 Macbook from Leopard to Snow Leopard and reinstalling FCP7. Unless I have some new insights on the benefits of upgrading to a new system and software I’m going to see how far I can get with the tools I have. Sure wish there was some way to have a better understanding of how things will go before I get too far into this.

I tried to send you a private message but couldn’t find the button. I spent a year in Laos 12 years ago and really wonderful to stumble upon you and your life there. I’ve spent 10 years in Asia (mostly India) and am always inspired by others who have opted for an unconventional approach to working/ living.

Best,
Jona

[Jona Taylor]

Rafael!
Will follow your directions.
Huge thanks again. Really!
Jona

[Jona Taylor]

Thanks folks, it was helpful while it lasted 🙂

[Jona Taylor]

Shane, Rafeal… anyone?

With the issues in transcoding and workflow with these multiple formats, and stepping into a huge long edit process, I’m wondering if would anyone recommend me to switch to Premier Pro CS6?

I ask because although I’ve been using FCP since 2002 and can make my way along doing the basics (I’ve cut 6 documentary shorts and a 1 hour) I never really learned to use FCP to it’s full potential. Just basic cutting with simple transitions, color correction and sound adjustments. Moreover, I’ve been hearing really good things about CS6. In short, I’m a pro DP living out of a backpack in multiple countries and shooting/ cutting my own projects when not shooting for others. With what I’ve been hearing/ feeling about Apples move away from the professional market, including their FCPX change, I’m wondering if it would be better to get on board with software that some feel is being better supported by its maker. I know this question will have a lot to do with me and how I can adjust, but I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.

https://philipbloom.net/2012/09/30/cs6/

Greatly appreciated as always 🙂

Jona

[Jona Taylor]

Hey Shane, big thanks for chiming in again and I really appreciate your point by point explanation. Thank you!

“You use Log and Transfer with the RAW footage…the 5D stuff. You use Log and Capture with the HDV footage…if it is already captured as HDV, then use the Media Manager to RECOMPRESS as ProRes.”

Unfortunately I’ve already captured the HV30 stuff as HDV. Will there be an noticeable loss or artifacts if I were to recompresed into Prores footage? I’d really like to keep the quality however small the difference. Thoughts?

Also Shane, there is a small amount of the XDCam footage that was mistakenly recorded as 1080 29.98p. My timeline is 23.98. Should I use Compressor to transcode this to 23.98 before bringing it into FCP? I understand that the footage will run slower. which should be fine. What if I bring this footage in using the Log and Transfer tool, will FCP convert it 23.98 during that process?

Really appreciate your time and support here 🙂

Jona

[Jona Taylor]

Thanks Shane. I guess I have to be more clear.

I have the following foootage:

XDCam 1080 24p / 720 60p
Canon 5DM2 1080 24p
Canon HV30 108060i

I can easily set up a XDCam timeline in FCP and edit XDCam footage without rendering. I’ve been doing this for 4 years now. My problem has now come when adding the other formats to this timeline.

I know that the XDcam 720 60p, 5DM2 and Canon footage has to be transcoded (or rendered) in order to play when mixed into the XDcam 1080 24p timeline.

My question in all this was what codec would be best to work in when 60% of this project was shot in XDCam 1080 24p? Rafael has said to work in a Prores timeline.

I know that I will have to transcode the 5DM2 and HV30 footage using Compressor, MpegStreamclip or 5DtoRGB, but once that footage is transcoded and sitting in a folder then is it not possible to just drag the folder into FCP’s browser window without having to use FCP’s Log and Transfer Tool? In other words, why should I use the Log and Transfer tool when I can just drag a folder into FCP’s browser window?

I’m trying to be understood here and using the best English in the most articulate way. I would appreciate the same otherwise (and my experience has been) that everything takes way longer to understand. And who would want that?

Looking forward,
Jona

[Jona Taylor]

Hi Shane and thanks for the insights and clarification.

I watched the tapeless workflow and have a question. Is it really necessary to use FCP’s log and transfer tool? I’m thinking it is easier to just drag the folders (containing the camera files) into FCP’s browser window. Would that not work faster?

Looking forward!