Marvin Holdman
Forum Replies Created
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Might want to read this thread. I think there has been some experimentation with “parsing” XML’s through CatDV. It appears the results are somewhat limited.
https://forums.creativecow.net/readpost/335/16076
Marvin Holdman
Production Manager
Tourist Network
8317 Front Beach Rd, Suite 23
Panama City Beach, Fl
phone 850-234-2773 ext. 128
cell 850-585-9667
skype username – vidmarv -
From the recently removed Apple FAQ –
“Final Cut Pro X features new and redesigned audio effects, video effects, and color grading tools. Because of these changes, there is no way to “translate” or bring in old projects without changing or losing data.”
Marvin Holdman
Production Manager
Tourist Network
8317 Front Beach Rd, Suite 23
Panama City Beach, Fl
phone 850-234-2773 ext. 128
cell 850-585-9667
skype username – vidmarv -
Given Apple and Adobe’s recent history, coupled with the fact that it’s really still too early to tell whether FCPX will be widely adopted makes Adobe’s “wait and see” approach very understandable. Perhaps Adobe wonders just what sort of “opportunity” FCPX really represents? At this point, of course. Things can change quickly, but I would think that Adobe has the means to change fast as well. Especially now that they’ve been given such a boost in sales from Apple.
Marvin Holdman
Production Manager
Tourist Network
8317 Front Beach Rd, Suite 23
Panama City Beach, Fl
phone 850-234-2773 ext. 128
cell 850-585-9667
skype username – vidmarv -
[Andrew Richards] – “They put out a .0.1 release with a non-trivial feature payload 91 days after they shipped 10.0. This is a slow rev cycle? Compared to what?”
Actually, I believe I mention that releases would be more frequent, but even so, with this new reliance on 3rd party vendors, it’s going to be a slow road to functionality. I don’t doubt the release cycle will increase and that’s part of the problem. Just because minor changes may come more frequently, it doesn’t mean overall functionality will do the same. Here’s a quote straight from Apple, via Townhill, “the first foundation stone in a building that’s going to be assembled over the next ten years.” Sounds like a slow train to me.
[Andrew Richards] – “Apple might not have an emissary on these forums, but they have been uncharacteristically candid (for them) about their plans for FCPX.”
I would have to say this is due mostly to the blowback that came from this release. All indications are that they will return to “business as usual” regarding this particular software. Look at Townhill’s revisionist statement regarding the matter, “The professional [editor] is critical to Apple, and it’s a customer we don’t want to lose.” Pretty much just blows off any criticism regarding the release. Sure it’s a statement, but it really doesn’t say anything other than “What problem?” I wouldn’t call spin “candid”.
[Andrew Richards] – “And what is the “severe limitation” in their APIs?”
My bad, should have read “severely limited RELEASE of their API’s”. To date, only a small handful of select vendors have received the API’s. This seems odd for an application that has continually stated the plans for 3rd party vendors.
[Andrew Richards] – ” If Apple has some nefarious plan for making fistfuls of cash off the FCPX ecosystem, there isn’t even a whiff of that happening yet despite plugins and helper apps already available for sale outside the App Store.”
As they’ve stated this is a “long range” plan, I think we just haven’t seen it come to fruition yet. Perhaps it’s because they haven’t had widespread release of the API’s? perhaps they are still trying to define what exactly FCPX is going to be? Who knows, we can only speculate on the long range plan for this. I’m not saying I’m right regarding the App Store, I’m just saying it seems like a plan to me. I don’t know that I would call this plan “nefarious”, but I’m not sure it’s the best way to create this type of software either. Frankly, there is a lot I like about the App Store. The convenience and lower price points overall make it pretty practical. The “whiffs” I’m getting are coming from the fact that the app store concept is an expanding one that goes beyond Apple. (Windows 8 anyone?)
[Andrew Richards] – “What is so bad about building a platform?”
FCS7 was “open” in as much as there were a fair amount of plug-ins available for it. Most of the core functionality, like tape control, EDL, XML was handled in the program. This, combined with a single source for OS, hardware and app, made for a very competitive product. Given the fact that we’ll probably see some of the “dumbed down” included functionality enhanced by 3rd party vendors (like more control over effects) it seems like getting anywhere near the built in functionality of FCS7 is going to require quite a bit more 3rd party involvement.
What is bad about that? More pug-ins + more frequent upgrades + uncommunicative mothership = challenge to keep system current.
[Andrew Richards} – “I think they get rapid development because they have a proper foundation to build on.”
I agree. I just wonder if this suggested architecture is “proper”. It’s a question that has been asked quite frequently in respect to timelines and metadata, I just wonder about it in terms of what Apple’s suggested re-definition of what a NLE is. In a day when all the other NLE seem to be moving towards native inclusion of functionality, Apple’s suggestion that it can all be outsourced is certainly radical. I just wonder about it’s practicality, based on history. Perhaps Apple DOES have some nefarious plan to issue shock collars with API’s in order to keep their 3rd party vendors in line? Maybe that’s the delay? Working the bugs out of the hardware for the “Vender Motivation Program”?
Marvin Holdman
Production Manager
Tourist Network
8317 Front Beach Rd, Suite 23
Panama City Beach, Fl
phone 850-234-2773 ext. 128
cell 850-585-9667
skype username – vidmarv -
[Bill Davis] – “So explain to me how the App store is a play to sell hardware.
Explain to me how iCloud is a play to sell hardware.
Explain how Thunderbolt is a play to sell hardware (after all, it’s licensed from Intel and we know that other mfgs have already announced implementations – so it’s NOT going to be an Apple hardware differentiator.)”
At the risk of being obvious…. you can’t access any of these items without hardware.
Marvin Holdman
Production Manager
Tourist Network
8317 Front Beach Rd, Suite 23
Panama City Beach, Fl
phone 850-234-2773 ext. 128
cell 850-585-9667
skype username – vidmarv -
[Craig Seeman] – “There are many highly “professional” situations where portability trumps big iron.”
The definition of “many”, for those NOT in ENG, is “few”. That’s the problem. Granted, it’s become an affordable solution when you need a crash POV, or something quick and covert. But honestly, if you’re doing EFP, how often is that? As a freelancer, you can probably adapt it as a specialty, but as a facility or station, it becomes cliche VERY quickly on air. Cheap enough to use occasionally, as a novelty, but detrimental when over used.
Marvin Holdman
Production Manager
Tourist Network
8317 Front Beach Rd, Suite 23
Panama City Beach, Fl
phone 850-234-2773 ext. 128
cell 850-585-9667
skype username – vidmarv -
False hope can be a bliss, but watch out for the consequences – unknown
Marvin Holdman
Production Manager
Tourist Network
8317 Front Beach Rd, Suite 23
Panama City Beach, Fl
phone 850-234-2773 ext. 128
cell 850-585-9667
skype username – vidmarv -
Every one says, “small camera’s COULD do the the job”. My question is, if they can then why don’t they? I see more iPhones/Go Pro/Cell cams out in the world than there ever has been, yet I’m not seeing them used for much more than POV and quick, incidental broll. Sure there are the odd production pieces shot with this type of device, but a large part of their draw is the simple fact they were shot using this format. Perhaps it’s because even the best of them are limited in what kind of shot you can make with them… typically. Sure, you could put your iPhone on a tripod, but then you’re carrying more stuff, and if you’re going to carry that much more stuff, why not just get the right tool for the right job?
Also…. I have a firm belief that most people just aren’t that interested in SHOOTING video. They’d rather “be the camera”. I’m talking about those not “in the business” I’m talking the vast consumer hoards that Apple seems to be targeting with FCPX. Face it, shooting a camera of any kind removes you somewhat from your environment. No matter how small, or convenient most humans opt to experience their lives in that moment, not record it for some later time.
All the tools in the world will not create more QUALITY production people. Only time spent practicing will do that. Say what you will about what FCPX/iPad/iPhones may do, at the end of it, those with experience will reach for the right tool for the right job. Those without will try this stuff and learn that in many instances, it is NOT the right tool.
Funny, seems like every 10 years or so, some company thinks they have THE product that will finally interest the majority of consumers to finally pick up a video camera and start making feature films. When will they ever learn it’s NOT about the tools, it’s about the way humans are wired. We’re not designed to experience our world looking through a lens. This is a wholly unnatural obsession we have for this stuff and I think most in this business loose sight of that over time. Not everyone is as interested in this as we are and FCPX will not change that. Just because we’ve raised an entire new generation with the access to good cheap production equipment doesn’t mean an appreciably larger percentage will choose this as a livelihood.
While I know that’s not the implication of the original post, I see some suggestion of that in the digression that follows. For those who do practice this as a livelihood, and need the flexibility to do the most with the least gear, do you really see having all of the minutia required to support and use iPhone/iPad/Air/Desktop in any regular on-going basis? Yes, we are a gadget oriented set of geeks, but at the end of it, most will end up gravitating to the least gear which gives us the greatest capabilities. While it is true FCPX/iPad/Air will continue to add capabilities, so will more traditional equipment such as laptops and desktops. What will you end up with at the end? The least that does the most.
Marvin Holdman
Production Manager
Tourist Network
8317 Front Beach Rd, Suite 23
Panama City Beach, Fl
phone 850-234-2773 ext. 128
cell 850-585-9667
skype username – vidmarv -
At this point, the main reason that FCPX might be a contender a year from now all comes down to it’s tight integration with OS and hardware. I wonder though, if this integration is going to be maintained as more and more third party vendors throw in their apps to restore functionality. This seems to be the implication from Apple regarding restoring functionality, “Third Party Vendors will bring it”.
The problem I have with this is that at the same time, Apple also seems to be saying that they are committed to upping the frequency of their upgrades (both incremental and major). Given the problematic nature that already exist with application/third party upgrade schemes, it doesn’t seem to be setting up to be a smooth road. Perhaps Apple has the foresight to realize that any upgrade they might initiate will only be as successful as their third party vendors ability to keep up. Especially with functionality features like say, broadcast monitors. Unfortunately, the limited release of API’s and the somewhat incomplete XML release has done little to predict anything but bumps on the road ahead.
I’m sure Craig is right when he mentions Apple’s primary goal is to sell hardware. It would appear they might be trading greed for functionality in this case though.
Marvin Holdman
Production Manager
Tourist Network
8317 Front Beach Rd, Suite 23
Panama City Beach, Fl
phone 850-234-2773 ext. 128
cell 850-585-9667
skype username – vidmarv -
[Bill Davis] – “TIME TO MENTALLY DEVELOP A NEW RULE: Only deliver watermarked file exports until the check clears, and then only monolithic file exports to your clients. Never, never EVER copy your projects for anyone.”
New rule? Since when? File this under “it’s a good idea, when you can do it”.
Start setting too many rules for your clients and they’ll go elsewhere.
Marvin Holdman
Production Manager
Tourist Network
8317 Front Beach Rd, Suite 23
Panama City Beach, Fl
phone 850-234-2773 ext. 128
cell 850-585-9667
skype username – vidmarv