Tom Matthies
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COW Coin
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DaVinci Coin
Forum Replies Created
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Sounds possibly like a black balance problem. What kind of camera were you using?
It would be ususal for the blacks to go off color just by switching in an ND filter unless the filter switch is somehow tied into the camera electronics (possible). White balance is tied into the filter selection in many professional cameras. Change the filter and you recall a different white balance register. It’s not likely, but possible that switching in your ND filter will recall a different setup on your camera. Otherwise there may be some discrepencies in the RGB gamma/flare settings within the camera. Hard to tell.
You might be able to correct the bad blacks using the 3-way color corrector within FCP. Use the eye dropper and select a color that should be pure black and see if FCP can pull the color in to an acceptable look. Use the eye dropper on the left color wheel for this. You might also need to tweak the mids and whites as well, but this should get you pretty close.
Tom -
Check out any technical schools in your area. Look for a few basic electronics courses first and get some of the basics under your belt. It might also pay to look at a few IT courses as well. Another place to check for some basic info is the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) website (www.sbe.org). They have a variety of areas you can study and gain certification. The SBE has more or less taken over the duties that the FCC used to have as far as certifing broadcast engineering personal. See if you can arrange to “hang around” a local shop or TV station for some hands on experience, kind of like the old apprentice concept.
Some years ago I was working at a television station in Kansas City and in order to earn a higher pay scale (read: get a promotion), it was necessary to obtain an FCC First Class license. I set out to do it. The first thing I did was to just go and take the test to see what it was like. I failed miserably, but I knew what I was expected to know after that. I bought a number of books and studied day and night to learn the basics. I also spent a lot of time picking the brains of the other engineers at the station. They were very patient and helpful. Most people will be. I’ve always had a bit of talent in understanding the way that things work, so it all started to make sense. I retook the test and, this time, passed easily. Although “easily” ment sitting thru a four hour exam with an unforgiving government proctor.
Since then, I’ve managed to get several SBE certifications and I’m currently working at a production facility as an editor/shooter/producer/engineer. I can pretty well fill in in any position when necessary. It’s a full plate but it’s a fun job. I also have a home production business with two full FCP setups.
Get all the training you can, especially if your company is willing to pick up some or all of the costs. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it in the end. I’m an old dog, pushing 50 that learned it all the hard way (in the business since 1974!). Take advantage of your situation, commit to the learning and you’ll never regret it. And you’ll actually get paid to do something you like to do anyhow. Can’t beat that deal.
Tom -
I just saw Bruce for the first time this weekend after leaving the computer on and coming back later to continue the edit.
It was like seeing Santa for the first time. Kind of fun, actually.
Tom -
Ditto the vote for DvMatte. It just works.
Tom -
Good enough for me.
I’ll load everything up for them and see what happens.
Thanks,
Tom -
Although “New” is not necessarily better when it comes to players. I bought a standalone DVD burner that used the +R media. I use it to burn quick “check” DVD’s for clients. When I checked the recordings from this deck, a brand new, yet inexpensive, Cyberhome player cannot read the +R discs. I also have a nearly four year old Pioneer player that plays the +R’s without any problems.
It seems to depend entirely on the decks. Burned disc’s just aren’t universally playable.
Tom -
Actually…
Mine do seem to work. I don’t have all of them installed on the new machine, but those that are in place do work. Some I tried include the chroma glow, abstract, night vision and silk stocking. For transitions I tried the smash zoom and vapor across. The only one I couldn’t get to work was the silver print filter. when I applied that to a clip I got the red FX error window.
When I rendered the filters out, they seemed OK as well.
Very strange…lucky?
Tom -
Hmmm…
I’m in the process of changing over from FCP 4.5 on a G4 to FCP5 on a G5. I’ve already transferred my filters to the naw machine but haven’t actually fired up FCP to try them. I have most (all?) of the Eureka filters as well so I’d be interested to fins out as well.
I’ll give them a try tonight when I get home.
Tom -
On my older system (1.25DP) with an Aja Io, often when I import and play animation or other high bit rate files, I need to toggle the Io on and off line (F12) to see the clips. If you can see them on the Io output but not in the viewer, toggle F12 to “turn off” the io and I’ll bet they show up in the viewer however they will not be seen out of the Io. With certain clips it seems to be an either/or situation with this setup.
Try it and see if it works for you.
Tom -
Thanks for the quick response.
It’s the left arrow key, by the way. It’s one of those things that I remembered as soon as I saw your post. Haven’t had to do the procedure for a year or two, so I coundn’t remember the exact sequence.
Thanks again. I’ll relay the info.
Tom