[Todd Gillespie]

Andrew,
Todd (the other Todd) is correct about how to use .tiff files instead of .psd. I only use .psd if I need to break up the layers.
.tiff OR .pict will keep your transparency. tiff is uncompressed and .pict is commpressed.
Whenever I need to prep graphics for TV, I will create/modify with a .psd file. I will KEEP the .psd file AS IS. Then I will save a copy as a .pict file. Why? Well if I have a full .psd file, then I don’t really need an uncompressed .tiff file? If it’s wrong or need adj.; open up the .psd file and make another ‘save as’ .pict.

To make your alpha channel in photoshop: apple click on the layer (it will highlight everything on that layer), then go to ‘Select’ pull down, ‘Save Selection’, (it should default to channel), click OK. DONE

IF you have multiple layers that need to be alpha channeled, then you need to do a little more management of your layers. Once you have all the layers the way you want them create a new blank layer (make sure it’s highlighted), choose merge layers WHILE HOLDING THE OPTION BUTTON, this will merge all of your layers onto one layer. Then uncheck all of your layers except your merged layer. Then follow along with my first guide. DONE.

Good Luck,
PS You need A LOT more RAM.

Todd at UCSB
Television Production

[Todd Gillespie]

Looks like they did what they wanted to do, which is help the posters by getting them the best interaction and response as they can.
FCP forums have the HIGHEST traffic on the cow, and very high for any forum on the interent!
The best way to help keep a rich interact that the Cow is known for is to break up the FCP forum to, more specificly, fit the users needs.

Make sense?

Todd at UCSB
Television Production

[Todd Gillespie]

There’s not a lot of market to try and set up 3 hour courses for FCP since it would barely teach you anything in that timeframe.
It sounds like you want more of a custom teaching to augment what you already know. So there isn’t going to be courses for that.
So the best thing is going to be to find some local ‘expert’ that can spend some time teaching you what you want.
You should be able to find what you want at this CreativeCow forum:

https://forums.creativecow.net/cgi-bin/new_view_posts.cgi?forumid=88

Good Luck,

Todd at UCSB
Television Production

[Todd Gillespie]

David has a good point. FCP would ‘hang’ on capture if it was having disk problems.

As a general rule for troubleshooting, even before you ask anyone or post anything: you should restart your Mac (see if that works) and then trash FP prefs (see if it works then)

If it’s a capture problem you should try another drive to see if the problem continues.

Good Luck,

Todd at UCSB
Television Production

[Todd Gillespie]

Enzo had a good point that you are going to need to play around with the composite modes. This will help to shape the light. Otherwise AE is going to add light to the entire frame of video. If you had done the light on location, you would notice that the tv light will be brighter is some areas and fall off in others. If you just add a light from AE, it’s not going to understand how to mold the light around your people.

Good Luck,

Todd at UCSB
Television Production

[Todd Gillespie]

…now batting third…
Enzo and David were spot on, but to give you a more contextual feel.
One of the ways that make the ‘Ken Burns effect’ look so good is the pacing and the flow. Half of that is done with your keyframes, i.e. how fast, how smooth, placement, etc. The other conpontent is the editing/dissolving to the next clip. You’ll probably need to try some different ways before it feels right.

Also, FCE usually will default to a linear move-constant speed from in to out. BUt sometimes it will look better with an ‘ease in-ease out’ You can right click on the keyframe and choose smooth, sometimes that will make it look even better.

Good Luck,

Todd at UCSB
Television Production

[Todd Gillespie]

Hi,
Usually FCP defaults to a linear move, so the zoom should have been the same speed all the way through. Sometimes a zoom looks like it speeds up, but actually just the image ‘looking’ faster due to the fact the size is closer to the screen. (not a good explaination)
If you go to the motion tab, you can rt click (control click) the keyframe and choose ‘smooth’ This should fix it. But if it doesn’t then you have ‘key frame handles’ that will give you control of the speed in relationship to the keyframe.

Good Luck,

Todd at UCSB
Television Production

[Todd Gillespie]

The Foundry has some TInderbox plug-ins. The Etch plug-in might be worth a look.

Good Luck,

Todd at UCSB
Television Production

[Todd Gillespie]

Hi Phil,
You can get the audio, but FCP will recapture the video as well.
Open log and capture window and check audio, the Select batch capture on the clip/clips, then when the Batch Capture window comes up UNCHECK options ‘Use Logged Clip Settings’
It will add the audio files to your clips

Good Luck,

Todd at UCSB
Television Production

[Todd Gillespie]

I believe Dell has a flat panel 24″ that’s $960? About half as much as a Cinema, plus larger. Looked good from the showroom, but I haven’t use it personally.
FWIW

Todd at UCSB
Television Production