Tom Meegan
Forum Replies Created
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Field dominance would cause the symptoms you describe.
https://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58634
Google: field dominance fcp
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I think think the fact that generalists need to hire specialists to compete begs the question:
Will skill “X” help create life time employability?
Any skill that transcends tools will help lifetime employability.
That being said, deep knowledge of current tools is essential if you want to be on the ground. It is typically more valuable to be exceptional with complex expensive tools than with complex inexpensive tools.
Think of building design and construction as an example.
Architects do not need to keep up on the specifics of crane operation. It is helpful if they know about major changes in the capabilities of cranes, but architects do not need to know how the levers work.
Contractors need broad and fairly specific knowledge of many areas. Plumbing, heating, electric, cement, drywall, etc.
Subcontracts need to focus on being the best available at a certain price point for their chosen skill. Carpenters need to know a lot about nails, lumber, etc. They need to know about plumbing, electric, etc in so far as these trades effect carpentry.
If you do choose to specialize, you have to be learning new skills in the chosen specialty all the time. And to be excellent, you need to understand how the different disciplines interact.
If you aspire to be an architect you need to find big fish clients, because many small projects don’t need an architect.
Contractors do well by combining the skills of specialists.
Television and film projects are very like this:
Architect = Large project Producer/Direcctor (Superbowl Commercial/Feature Film)
Contractor = Producer on small to medium project, Operations Manager on large project
Subcontractor = Operator, editor, artist
One key to specializing
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Short answer:
Provide your 24p original to a transfer house for the PAL convert.
Long answer:
Nattress makes great products. They offer incredible value.
Using the Nattress Standards Converter requires reading the directions (really) and a having a pretty good grasp of the nomenclature around these transfers.
Conversions with the Nattress Standards Converter are very render intensive
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When you export make sure you check “Make Movie Self-Contained.”
It is likely your export was a reference movie
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Connect reference in to the AJA card and your video monitor as well. Either loop it off the deck or take a second and third output from your black/burst generator.
Best,
Tom
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If you want to color correct on an Apple Cinema display, buy the MXO. This is particularly attractive if you are working with HD resolutions.
If you want to color correct on a broadcast monitor, Black Magic Design has some nice solutions that are less expensive than the AJA IO.
https://www.blackmagic-design.com/
The AJA IO does not have a DVI out
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Software:
I’m a FCP guy, but if I had to pick just one, I would be torn. I use Photoshop and After Effects a lot.
Both candidates are overqualified.
Choosing between FCS 2 and Adobe’s CS3 Production Suite comes down to the features you think you will need.
Compare and contrast. I would not consider what your competition uses as a determining factor, unless one of them is going to provide technical support and training.
Speaking of which
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‘Playback’ is ‘(Missing) Apple Firewire PAL (720 x 576)’
refers to FCP trying to output a signal from the program to the deck, either for monitoring or recording.
It means FCP does not see a FW deck, most likely because the deck isn’t connected or turned on.
Best,
Tom
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Three options:
Letter box
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Originally from a post by Kevin Monahan.
https://www.fcpworld.com/home.html
I think item six is the only one that is no longer relevant.
Try things in this order until you find the “cure”:
1. Make sure you have View (Menu) > External > ALL FRAMES set.
(If the ALL FRAMES option is grayed-out… jump to step 6 below and continue.)
2. Make SURE your Canvas window (right window) in FCP is set to “Fit to Window” and that it has not been “pushed off” the edge of the computer screen.
3. Make sure your CANVAS View Menu (Box Icon with broken sides) is checked on Image or Image+Wireframe… NOT just Wireframe.
4. Make sure your CANVAS View Menu is checked on RGB… NOT just Alpha.
5. Make sure your Final Cut Pro (menu) > Easy Setup… is set for DV-NTSC (or DV-PAL, if that’s where you are).
6. Make sure your Final Cut Pro (menu) > Audio/Video Settings > A/V Devices (tab) > Mirror on Desktop > must be CHECKED. (If not, playing video will not appear in the Canvas.)
7. Make sure the “Log and Capture” Window is CLOSED and not just “hidden” behind other windows.
8. Turn off the power to the Camera/Deck/Converter Box, then turn it back ON.
9. Make sure the camera is in VTR mode… or the deck is in DV (DV, iLink, or FW) input.
10. Re-check and make sure your FW cable is well-connected at both ends (or try a new cable.)
11. Important: Quit FCP, then Restart FCP.
12. Now again, make sure you have View > External > ALL FRAMES set…
If it still does not work. “Trash” the FCP Preferences on the Mac
https://www.larryjordan.biz/articles/lj_trouble.html