DSLR Field Test

I am truly excited by the convergence of technology that is occurring with DSLR cameras and video recording.  The format allows for the recording of some truly amazing images due to sensor size and lens selection.  But like all technologies, it suffers from some constraints that need to be overcome.

Blu-ray and Final Cut Studio

There’s a good chance that HD has become a major player (or even the only format) in your work.  With the latest incarnation of Final Cut Studio, Apple offers several ways to deliver HD. You can of course go back to tape or create downloadable and streaming H.264 files.  Most requested though, is the ability to create Blu-ray discs. 

Moving Footage From Final Cut Pro to After Effects

Getting your footage from Final Cut Pro to After Effects is a very common workflow. In fact, so many people choose to work this way that there are several free and for sale workflow tools on the market. While the task may seem as easy as a batch export, there is often precious metadata and organizational work that you’ll want to take from Final Cut Pro into After Effects.

Keying with After Effects

Looking for another way to key? Be sure to check out this video for a detailed demonstration of keying with Keylight in After Effects. You’ll also learn a few advanced tricks to finalize the shot.

The Rise of Field Monitors

I’ve recently spent a lot of time evaluating our production processes looking for ways to improve efficiency.  There were two motivating factors.  First, we’ve pretty much abandoned Standard Definition production, relegating it only to live web events where we are streaming the content or where the client demands it.  Second, I was working on a new book, Video Made on a Mac: Production and Postproduction Using Apple Final Cut Studio and Adobe Creative Suite with Robbie Carman.  In it we try to evaluate ways to efficiently integrate Apple and Adobe software into best practices for production and post.

We discovered a lot along the way, in particular that “field” monitors have taken on a whole new life of usefulness. Here are a few of the things we discovered in the last few months of HD production.

High Definition Review and Approval with Apple TV

My production company, like many of yours, has jumped with both feet into the HD waters.  Production is easier than ever with great tapeless acquisition formats.  Post keeps getting simpler with powerful desktop solutions and great breakout boxes.  Seems like the only place it really falls apart is the client review stage.

Sure, you can compress HD clips for web delivery.  Problem is most clients don’t have the monitor resolution, RAM, etc. to view HD (and don’t even get me started on color and contrast issues with the average PC monitor).  You could burn a Blu-ray disc, except at $12 a pop (plus rush courier) that gets pretty expensive (and time consuming). So what’s a discerning post company to do? No the answer is not VHS… it’s Apple TV.

Final Cut Studio Documentation and Workflows Now Online

Need to know the latest about Final Cut Studio? Want to look something up about ProRes from your iPhone? Hate those big printed manuals that waste paper?

While its not a revolutionary step (others like Adobe have already placed their docs online) it is still a welcomed event. Some might wonder if trimming the manuals out allowed the huge price cut?

Regardless… the manuals and an even better Workflows document are now online.

Want to Know What’s New in the “new Final Cut Studio”

Like many of you, I went digging to find the most information about the new Final Cut Studio release.  Sure.. there are tutorials and flashy pages on Apple’s site.  These have some great info… but I’m a details kinda guy.  After so poking and prodding… I found these great documents. 

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