35 Workflow

FCP 5 Workflow, whats the best route?

I don't know. You might begin by telling us what it is you are doing?



Michael Horton
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SHooting on 35...then...what? Cutting the negative? Transferring to tape and final output tape?

my bad guys... its been a long day.

just transferring to tape and out to DV.

Just describe your project in detail, James. There are too many variables -- you gotta narrow it down. What's your final presentation format? Are you prepping for theatrical exhibition? Do you need the option of going back to film? Are you transferring to DVCam/Mini-DV, or going to DigiBeta/Betacam SP as your masters?

Describe *everything* you know or are considering.

not doing anything too crazy. Just wanted to know the best format to transfer to from telecine that will hold the resolution when bringing it into FCp 5, now that FCP 5 auto converts to 60i is there any thing else to do to hold resolution when we down convert to more then likely DVCpro.

OK James...What is your FINAL DESTINATION? Cutting the negative of the film? Going out to tape?

This is the typical workflow I use when cutting a show shot on 35, or super 16:

1) Telecine the film to Digibeta, 30 fps (29.97 TC). Audio is synced to picture at this time. Have the post house provide Flex files (ALEs - Avid Log Exchange) of the telecine session.

2) Transfer the digibeta dailies to DVCAM...either at the same time the are laid to digibeta, or after.

3) Since I use an Avid for this, import the ALE information into a bin and batch digitize the dailies. They are broken up into scenes. If you are using FCP, then you'll need to open the ALE or flex files with Cinema Tools, then export a Batch Capture List for FCP.

4) Capture the footage.

5) Edit. Rough cut, Directors cut, Producers cut, Network Notes...Locked Picture.

5) Export an EDL (Edit Decision List) for an online session. The Post facility takes this EDL and assembles the show using the digibeta masters, for they are the best quality (FAR ABOVE DVCAM). OR, if the online facility happens to online using FCP and a high end capture card, give them a project file containing the locked picture.

6) Export an OMF for the audio people.

Done.

Do you not have a post supervisor for this? You really need someone knowledgable with the post process if you are going to be working with footage shot on 35. No offence, but it doesn't sound like you really know what to do. At least hire a highly skilled assistant who knows the process...

Hopefully they won't snicker too much...

I think Shane has a point, James -- you need to know the right questions to ask when approaching this process. I might suggest going to a post-production facility and telling them what your intentions (and those of your director) are. You need to tell them everything and not just "nothing too crazy" or "I want to keep resolution", because that's too vague. Let them tell you what you need to know. And try to find a hands-on editor, or a technician who does this day-in and day-out -- front-desk people won't be able to tell you the minutiae you need to know.

Shane-

Just for my own education, since I'm not too experienced in dealing with film-to-tape workflows....

Wouldn't a transfer to HD (as opposed to DigiBeta) end up being a more flexible route? Wouldn't this leave open the possibilities of digital color correction/effects before going back to a film out?

I suppose if you knew that your final product were SD, then it wouldn't really matter....

Thanks!

-Chris

Again...as I stated...it all depends on your final destination. You have yet to reveal that fact. Know that is what determines your workflow.

Cutting the negative? Then transfer to DVCAM, offline, then output a cut list.
Going to SD tape? Telecine to Digibeta as I have stated.
Wanting a film print, but not wanting to cut the negative? Then transfer to HD, make DVCAM dubs, offline the DVCAM, online the HD tapes, print to film.

Now please, go talk to the post facility who will be doing the transfer for all your options. They can get in far more detail.

Um... sorry, Shane, but I wasn't the guy with the original question... I jumped in mid-thread as a "kibitzer"... sorry if it threw you off.

And that's what I get for not paying attention.

Heh.

You're not the first, and you won't be the last, Shane!

To make you feel better: I replied to my own post once because I forgot I wrote the first one.

I appriciate it guys.

telecine to Digibeta was all i needed

I am finishing in on tape (DVCpro).. i thought i said that.