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Tip #1072: Preserve Your Projects – Long-term

… for Adobe Premiere Pro CC

Tip #1072: Preserve Your Projects – Long-term

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

XML is the only file format that can be shared between apps.

The File > Export > Final Cut Pro XML dialog in Premiere.

Topic $TipTopic

Some projects are one-and-done. Never to see the light of day again. However, in these days of stock media and multiple versions, we often go back to the same project for years.

Yet, technology marches on. How do we protect our edit for the long-term? There’s only one answer: export an XML of every finished project.

How? File > Export > Final Cut Pro XML.

  • XML files describe every element of your edit – but DON’T include media. (You will need to archive media separately.)
  • XML files can be transferred between applications, native project files can’t.

The best option, always, is to reopen your project in the application that created it. But, when that isn’t possible, XML makes sure you can recover your edit. Media links, edits and transitions are preserved in XML. When moving an XML file to other applications, though, you will lose most effects and color grading settings.

Because XML files are small, take almost no time to export, and provide the greatest amount of flexibility for the future, always export an XML version of the finished timeline when you are done with a project.

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Tip #1074: Timeline Title Secrets

… for Apple Final Cut Pro X

Tip #1074: Timeline Title Secrets

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

These new timeline menu options provide fast access to common taks.

The timeline menu linked to the name of the currently open project.

Topic $TipTopic

A new feature in the 10.4.9 update to Final Cut is located at the top of the timeline. But it is not easy to find.

Starting with the 10.4.9 update, when you click, not Control-click, the name of a project displayed at the top-center of the timeline, five new options appear:

  • Duplicate project
  • Reveal Project in Browser
  • Project Properties
  • Close [project]
  • Close other projects
  • Duplicate project copies your project, but does NOT make any compound or multicam clips independent. This is not a good idea. Instead, use Snapshot Project, which is an option available to all projects by Control-clicking the name of a project in the Browser.
  • Reveal Project is self-explanatory.
  • Project Properties is the same as Window > Project Properties, or typing Cmd + J.
  • Close [project] removes it from the timeline (which means it takes up far less memory), but does not remove it from the Browser or Library.
  • Close Other Projects closes other open timelines, again releasing the RAM they use, but does not remove them from the Browser or Library. Unless you are switching between different projects, closing projects you are not using is a good idea.

Locating these options at the top of the timeline is an excellent timesaver, except for Duplicate Project, which should be avoided.

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Tip #1073: What Do These Transition Controls Do?

… for Apple Final Cut Pro X

Tip #1073: What Do These Transition Controls Do?

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

These controls allow trimming under a transition without removing it first.

The three transition trimming controls: Trim the In, edit point, or Out.

Topic $TipTopic

If you zoom into the timeline far enough, you’ll discover three icons at the top of every transition that can save you time.

NOTE: To zoom into the timeline, select it, then type Cmd + [plus]. To zoom out, type Cmd + [minus]. To reset the timeline, type Shift + Z.

As the screen shot illustrates, at the top of every transition are three trimming controls:

  • Left. Dragging this icon ripple trims the In of the incoming clip.
  • Center. Dragging this icon roll trims the edit point, moving it earlier or later in the timeline.
  • Right. Dragging this icon ripple trims the Out of the outgoing clip.

NOTE: All trimming is based on the underlying clip having sufficient “handles,” extra media before the In or after the Out.

The benefit to using these controls is that you can trim the clips under a transition without removing the transition. For dissolves, this probably won’t make any difference, but other transitions take time to set up. This means you don’t need to repeat your work.

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Tip #1071: Preserve Your Projects – Long-term

… for Apple Final Cut Pro X

Tip #1071: Preserve Your Projects – Long-term

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

XML is the only file format that can be shared between apps.

The File > Export XML dialog. Make sure you are using the latest version of XML.

Topic $TipTopic

Some projects are one-and-done. Never to see the light of day again. However, in these days of stock media and multiple versions, we often go back to the same project for years.

Yet, technology marches on. How do we protect our edit for the long-term? There’s only one answer: export an XML of every finished project.

How? File > Export XML.

  • XML files describe every element of your edit – but DON’T include media. (You will need to archive media separately.)
  • XML files can be transferred between applications, native project files can’t.

The best option, always, is to reopen your project in the application that created it. But, when that isn’t possible, XML makes sure you can recover your edit. Media links, edits and transitions are preserved in XML. When moving an XML file to other applications, though, you will lose most effects and color grade settings.

Because XML files are small, take almost no time to export, and provide the greatest amount of flexibility for the future, always export an XML version of the finished timeline when you are done with a project.

NOTE: Make sure you always export using the latest version of XML supported by Final Cut Pro X.

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Tip #1064: MotionArray Announces Team Plans

… for Random Weirdness

Tip #1064: MotionArray Announces Team Plans

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

MotionArray bundles all their services and prices it for team use.

Manage all MotionArray resources in one place.

Topic $TipTopic

In an email, the team at MotionArray announced the launch of Team Plans to provide better account options for groups of two or more editors needing access to the same MotionArray resources. The primary feature is all team accounts can now download unlimited assets and manage their licenses in one place!

NOTE: MotionArray describes itself as: “The all-in-one video & filmmakers platform. Take projects from concept to completion with unlimited asset downloads, exclusive plugins, video collaboration and review tools, and a portfolio website builder…all in one membership.”

Key features include

  • Easily Add & Manage Team Members
  • Manage All Your Stock Assets & Licenses In One Place
  • Collaborate & Review Projects Remotely
  • Save Time and Money

Here’s the link to learn more.

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Tip #1063: Robert Yeoman, ASC: Lighting Comedy

… for Random Weirdness

Tip #1063: Robert Yeoman, ASC: Lighting Comedy

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

Robert Yeoman, on set.

Topic $TipTopic

This article, written by Jourdan Aldredge, first appeared in PremiumBeat.com. This explores how cinematographer Robert Yeoman keeps his comedies light and helped develop Wes Anderson’s quirky aesthetic.

While Yeoman’s work long ago became intertwined with Anderson’s coffee shop aesthetic, he actually has quite a career as a cinematographer outside of that relationship. His early work garnered him quite a bit of esteem from the Independent Spirit Awards (To Live and Die in L.A., Drugstore Cowboy) and his later works have included several highly successful comedy blockbusters (Yes Man, Bridesmaids).

This article contains interviews and videos illustrating how such cinematically recognizable films as Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, Life Aquatic, and The Grand Budapest Hotel so successfully elevates arthouse indies and blockbuster comedy franchises alike by combining his craft of kitsch with his artistic and comedic sensibilities.

  • Finding Your Creative Process
  • Developing a Visual Grammar
  • Lighting for Clarity and Comedy
  • Old School Whip Pans and Slow Motion
  • Developing the Wes Anderson Look

When looking back through Yeoman’s career so far, it’s important to recognize that he isn’t simply a means to bringing a director’s vision to screen, but in fact, he’s very much a developer of the looks and aesthetics that we’ve come to know and love.

Check out the link at the top to watch all of these.

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Tip #1062: Accusonus Releases ERA 5

… for Random Weirdness

Tip #1062: Accusonus Releases ERA 5

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

Easy-to-use, high-power audio tools for all NLEs.

The Voice AutoEQ interface in the new ERA 5 bundle.

Topic $TipTopic

Accusonus, a well-respected name in audio repair, just released ERA 5.

This bundle “features incredible new tools and the biggest engine update yet, delivering staggering quality with the most intuitive workflow for creators. Innovative solutions empower you to fix even more audio issues than before, saving time in editing and enhancing your sound.” (Accusonus blog)

New tools include:

  • Voice AutoEQ. This automatically adjust its parameters to provide you with a great baseline of good sounding EQ for the human voice, which you can adjust to taste afterwards.
  • Voice Deepener. This creates a voice recording that is able to allure, convince and hook everyone! Just select the voice deepening amount that sounds right to you and let it do its magic.
  • Audio Cleanup Assistant. This features presets for podcasting, vlogging, interviews, audiobooks and all sorts of content creation. And if you often have to deal with audio that has been recorded in the same conditions again and again, you can always save and recall your own presets.
  • Noise Remover Pro. RA Noise Remover Pro has up to 6 spectral processing bands. By applying a different amount of processing to each band, you can further tune the algorithm performance on your particular source material. Save dialogue tracks which cannot be recorded again, remove unwanted elements with astonishing precision, and enjoy the ultimate control over your recordings.
  • Reverb Remover Pro. Ggt tailored reverberation reduction on key frequency ranges. Each band has been fine tuned to work optimally in its range, while the complexity is managed automatically behind the scenes. Reverb reduction is one of the most demanding post production processes.

And several more. The software is available by subscription.

Download a free trial here.

EXTRA CREDIT

They don’t promote it, but the new De-reverb filter in Adobe Premiere is actually technology licensed from Accusonus.

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Tip #1061: Create HDR-compatible Projects in Motion

… for Apple Motion

Tip #1061: Create HDR-compatible Projects in Motion

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

Motion can easily create HDR projects. You just need to change two settings.

The Color Space menu in File > Share > Settings.

Topic $TipTopic

We can create HDR-compatible projects in Motion by changing only two settings. Here’s what you need to know.

You can choose between two basic color spaces in Motion: Standard and wide gamut HDR.

NOTE: Wide gamut HDR refers to a greater range of colors and color saturation. It does not determine pixel brightness.

To work in a wide gamut HDR color space, also called Rec. 2020, you must first configure two settings. First:

  • Select the Project in the Layers panel.
  • Go to Inspector > Properties and change Color Processing to Wide Gamut HDR.

Next, when the project is complete and you are ready to export:

  • Choose File > Share.
  • In the Settings panel, change the Color Space setting to either Rec. 2020 HLG or Rec. 2020 PQ – depending upon what your distributor requires.

    • NOTE: Don’t use Rec. 2020 – it is an outdated setting.

    This setting determines the color of images you see in the canvas, as well as the color space and appearance of your exported project (the output media file). “Use canvas setting” matches the current project. Instead, set render color space to HDR Rec. 2020 HLG or HDR Rec. 2020 PQ if you intend to export an HDR movie when you complete the project

    The color-processing setting may affect the appearance of your final render. For example, when the project is changed from Standard to Wide Gamut HDR, the effect of some filters or blend modes may change in appearance.

    EXTRA CREDIT

    Remember, we can not use computer monitors to view HDR material. We need to use external, HDR video displays. Computer monitors are not accurate.

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    Tip #1060: Shape Styles Are Magic

    … for Apple Motion

    Tip #1060: Shape Styles Are Magic

    Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

    Shape styles can be applied to any element that allows a border.

    The Shape Styles menu in the HUD.

    Topic $TipTopic

    Any shape, path or element that supports a border can have its boring white border replaced with one of hundreds of much more interesting styles. Here’s how.

    • Select a shape, path, paint stroke or any object that supports a border.
    • Display the HUD (Option + Cmd + L).
    • At the bottom of the HUD, click the Shape Style menu to display over 100 colors, textures, object, lights and fluids that can be applied to the border itself. (See screen shot.)
    • The border width determines the size of these styles.

    I have many favorites in lights, textures and abstract.

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    Tip #1059: Animate a Line

    … for Apple Motion

    Tip #1059: Animate a Line

    Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

    Write on animates borders attached to lines, paths and paint strokes.

    The Draw and Erase setting applied to a path using the Write On behavior.

    Topic $TipTopic

    This is a fun and fast way to animate any path, line or paint brush in Motion using the Write On behavior. Even better, you can animate a line to draw, erase, or draw then erase itself. Here’s how this works:

    • Using the Pen or Paint Brush tool, draw a path in Motion.
    • With the path selected, choose a border from the HUD (Option + Cmd + L) or Inspector > Object. The border needs a width greater than 0.

    NOTE: Personally, I prefer applying Shape Styles, but these, too, need a wider border value.

    • With the path element still selected in the Layers panel, choose Behaviors > Shape > Write On. This animates the border starting at the beginning of the path.
    • Adjust the Offset value to change where drawing the border starts.

    This technique is great at creating animated travel lines for a map, or calling attention to a moving object.

    EXTRA CREDIT

    • Change the duration of the Write on behavior to change it’s speed.
    • Select the Write on behavior, then, in Inspector > Behaviors, change the menu from Draw to Erase. This animates the removal of the border, Or Draw and Erase, which draws it on, then draws it off.

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