Update Alert: Final Cut Pro X goes to 10.0.3

Is it early 2012? It is and Apple has kept its promise with an update that takes Final Cut Pro X to 10.0.3. The promised features are there as well including what looks like an interesting and well thought-out multicam implementation. Broadcast monitoring is there too but it’s labeled as a beta implementation though if the drivers are there it should work. And they said it couldn’t be done but it has been: there’s now a way to easily move a Final Cut Pro 7 project to Final Cut Pro X that’s made possible by an updated XML and a 3rd party software product.

(1) Comments: • Most recent comments by: Christopher Kemp,

Last week in After Effects

Here’s another summary of the last week or so of news on After Effects—with assorted tutorials, scripts, plug-ins, demos, and more. Please note that these roundups are for quick review and comparison, and that there is almost always vital information from the originating authors at the links provided—and often free presets, projects, or stock footage too.

Evan Schechtman’s Digital ‘Smoke’ House

With a mind of a genius and the spirit of a rebel, Evan Schechtman is one of the most accomplished post professionals in the business. Through his thirst for knowledge and contempt for establishment, Schechtman has transcended his career from owning his own post facility to becoming one of the most sought after minds in the industry. I was able to catch up with Schechtman recently who talked about how he started Outpost Digital , his partnership with Radical Media and why Autodesk’s Smoke is the answer to the question, “What’s next?

(2) Comments: • Most recent comments by: DaveJ, gregorygee,

Quick Look: Sony F65 4K Digital Cine Camera

Last week, San Francisco rental house extraordinaire Videofax took delivery of Sony F65 #15, and on Thursday BandPro’s Jeff Cree came up to show off the camera to local DPs, ACs, and DITs. I was able to shoot some photos and take some notes, which I have pulled together and annotated, in a somewhat scattershot manner, for your viewing pleasure.  [Update 2012.01.29: typo & terminology fixes]

(4) Comments: • Most recent comments by: Adam Wilt, Allan, Adam Wilt, Bruce Allen,

Stereo 3D Video Production with GoPro

Whether you love it or hate it, 3D Stereography is here for awhile. And if you’re totally into it like I am, you quickly realize that there are few turnkey workflows out there to capture and process 3D Stereo video that’s easy to setup, shoot and edit Stereo pairs. Sure, there are a lot of high-end (expensive to rent) systems for two cameras to shoot, software to sync/mux the footage and rigs you can build to edit it, but GoPro has brought it together with a fun and easy-to-use system that anyone can use.

(4) Comments: • Most recent comments by: Jeff Foster, SparkxFx, Jeff Foster, Jim Nicholls,

Pegasus Thunderbolt RAID5 from PROMISE

As many ProVideo Coalition readers may recall, I have written about disk arrays from PROMISE before, although the last time it was primarily to be used with a computer with an eSATA port. Now that all Mac computers (except for the MacPro tower) use a Thunderbolt port, many are looking for a disk array which will have the appropriate connection and that will be at least as fast as what they got previously with eSATA. In this article, you’ll find my results with the Pegasus from PROMISE, used both with a Mac Mini and a MacBook Air. You’ll also find PROMISE’s official position on journaling or non-journaling with this device, since this was not previously documented… more »

AJA’s Io XT w/ Thunderbolt is now available, but it is not Riker: What’s the cover-up?

AJA is now shipping its US$1495 Io XT, AJA’s first Thunderbolt device which I covered in detail when it was first announced in September 2011. Some of you have asked me whether the Io XT is the same as the prototype code-named “Riker” product that AJA showed at NAB back in April 2011. The answer is no. This article will explain why the Io XT is not Riker, review the currently-available Thunderbolt audio/video i/o devices I’ve covered so far (including the Pegasus Thunderbolt RAID), and clarify William Riker’s involvement in the Pegasus cover-up, as well as that of Leo Laporte, who recently declared Thunderbolt to be “D.O.A.” and “too late”… more »

LIGHTING STRATEGIES: Rough Guide to Illuminating a Bounce Card

Is bounce light really just about aiming a light at a white card and walking away? No. There are a couple of tricks to getting the most out of your bounce source, and I can show them to you fairly quickly using a 4’x4’ bounce card as an example.

LIGHTING STRATEGIES: Exploiting a Single Light Source

There are few things more elegant than lighting a shot with a single light source. It doesn’t always work, but when it does—it’s magical.

How technology is influencing storytelling and filmmaking

Academy-award winning VFX Supervisor Rob Legato (Hugo, Titanic), and filmmakers/directors Vincent Laforet (Revelry, Mobius), and Jacob Rosenberg (Act of Valor, Waiting for Lightning) discuss the changing world of filmmaking. Moderated by Sharlto Copley (District 9), panelists dive into a discussion on the digital advances in filmmaking technology and innovative techniques to create engaging, thought-provoking work on any budget.

Adobe teases Prelude at the San Francisco Supermeet, FCPUG changes its name

From the looks of Twitter last night there were a couple of surprises at the Friday evening’s San Francisco Supermeet. First bit of news I saw was that Final Cut Pro User Group (FCPUG) has decided to drop the Final Cut Pro designation from their name to become the Creative Pro User Group. Second was a sneak peek from Adobe about a new application called Prelude.

After Effects Apprentice Free Video: Exploring Shape Effects

As we mentioned awhile back, we’ve been busy the past year and a half creating an extensive, multi-course video training series based on our popular beginner’s book After Effects Apprentice. Each course has two or more movies that are free for all to view; we’re re-posting those videos here on PVC to make sure you don’t miss them. In this movie, shows how to alter your basic shapes using dedicated shape effects.

Expression Shorts - Random Words Cycle

Learn how to make a text layer randomly cycle through an array of words that you assign it. Great for random HUD info, background filler, etc…