Video Output Options

Final Cut Pro offers many different options for outputting your edit for various purposes, e.g. archiving, DVD production, sharing online, and so on.

Here is a guide which explain how to work with these options in Final Cut Pro: Video Output Options in FCP

The guide is based on Final Cut Pro 6. The new FCP 7 /X incorporate a new”Share” tool which allows you to burn DVD/upload to Youtube etc. in a few easy steps.

Read more about “Share” function of FCP 7.

Voice-over Dubbing Arrangement

Voice-over dubbing arrangement:

1. Equipment:

From now on until submission deadline (May 7, 2012), a set of voice-recording equipment is available in the Post-Production Suite. It includes a lip mic, a cable and a Panasonic camera.

You can use these equipment for voice-over dubbing. Please return them to the original place properly and turn off equipment after use.

Please bring your own earphones to monitor the audio.

You can record your voice in the area outside the Reading Room.

2. Procedure of VO dubbing

i. Connect lip mic to Input 1 of the camera.

ii. Tune the input 1 gain all the way up.

iii. Place the lip mic on the side of your lips (Don’t place it right in front of your mouth to avoid popping).

iv. Insert a tape and record as usual. Speak as loudly (and naturally) as possible.

v. Monitor the audio meter and fine tune to get the best level.

vi. Capture the voice in the same way as capturing video footage. In ‘Log and Capture’ window, disable ‘video capture’ and ‘audio CH2′ under ‘clip settings’. Remember to revert the settings when capturing video.

3. Tips for VO dubbing

i. Speak loudly but naturally.

ii. The way to read the audio meter on Panasonic: The signal occasionally peaks in the red area (with about 2 red blocks), that’s equivalent to -12dB in FCP.

iii. Don’t use Sony A1 which doesn’t work well with the lip mic.

Video Tutorials: 3-point Lighting

Following are links to a couple of very useful You Tube demos that Ka Ho discovered, for classic 3-point lighting.  While they are well done, please bear in mind for most news and documentary situations, we will only normally achieve 2-point lighting…. ie. a key light (set more straight on to the interviewee rather than at 45 degrees as suggested in the demo) plus a back light (or kicker), working in tandem with the key light.  There won’t be too much shadow on the face because of the absence of a fill light, but if it bothers you, then try using the reflector (usually supported on a chair to one side of the interviewee) to bounce light from the key to that side of the face.  If you DO have a third light on location, it will invariably be used to do something interesting on the background.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcMX1RcNRYA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkfv78919ek&feature=fvw

V-light and Pro-light kits are availble for check-out. If you use them to set up 2-point lighting, you are recommended to use the V-light with diffuser as the main light, and the Pro-light (close the barn-door a bit to control the light shape) as kicker.

Diffuser and Blue gels are available in the kit.

As we only have 4 light kits, please request in the reservation e-mail if you need them.

Project Submission Guidelines

To submit the your project, please prepare the following:
i. A QuickTime (mov) video of your edited project
ii. A screenshot of your Final Cut Pro timeline
Name  the  files  in  this  format:  subclass_name_project  title  (e.g.  6093A_john_phone.mov, or 0052_mary_newspaper.mov)
Procedures of exporting QuickTime video in Final Cut Pro:
i. Make sure you are on the timeline window
ii. Press  “Shift‐Z”  to  view  the  whole  timeline.  Clear  the  unnecessary clips/gaps in your edit
iii. Clear the in/out points on your timeline (Mark -> Clear In and Out)
iv. Change  the  audio  settings  to  mixed  mode  (Sequence  ->  Settings  -> Audio Outputs -> Stereo Mix)
v. Render your sequence if necessary (Sequence -> Render All -> Both)
vi. Choose “File” -> “Export” -> “Export QuickTime Movie”
vii. Name your file and choose the destination to save. Make sure you have checked “Make Movie Self‐contained” option, so that you are exporting an independent QuickTime movie
viii. View  and  check  your  exported  file  by  “Right‐click”  ->  “Open  with QuickTime Player”

Procedures of creating a screenshot of your FCP timeline:
i. In Final Cut Pro, press “Shift‐Z” to view all the clips on the timeline.
ii. Press “Command‐Shift‐3” on the keyboard to create a screenshot. You will hear shutter‐release sound.
iii. A screenshot will appear on the desktop as “Picture 1”. Rename it.

Submitting your assignment:
i. Name  and  double‐check  the  files  properly.  Put  them  in  a  folder with your name.
ii. Submit  your  folder  to  a  harddrive  located  on  the  shelf  of  the  Post‐Production Suite. Put it under the right folder.