Lesson #14: Tech Class - Editing

Final Cut Pro X (not Final Cut Pro 7)

Icon with Four Stars = Library

1. Check Final Cut Pro Preferences - Import Tab: MUST Select "Create optimised media" and "Create proxy media". Do not select "Analyze for balance color / fix audio problems".

2. File Organisation: Label your library. Label your event (one star icon).

Never title your film "Final". 

Good organization skills is important to have. 

3. Import media (down arrow): Always import all of your clips. Click the number button below the viewer - opens background render - tells you what is happening. 

Inspector window - inspect or alter any audio or video you need to change. 

EDITING PROTOCOLS

01. Logging 

Going through all of your footage and define whether footage is good or not, using a labelling system - Green Star and Red X button. Select the clip and either FAVOURITE (letter F or green star) or REJECT (delete key or Red X) it. Green / Red line will show up. Go to dropdown bar and you can choose to only view favourite / rejected clips.

Relabel clip names if you have time. 

02. Assembly Edit

Putting the clips in the correct order in the timeline (not trimming anything, no effects at this point). 

Command N to create new project (exists within event). Select clip and drag it onto timeline. 

Insert buttons: Button E - adds clip to the end of the timeline. To do a smooth slow motion, you go to Settings and choose Interlace. 

03. Rough Edit 

Trimming clips, using the Razor Blade Tool (keyboard shortcut key B / cursor: A).

04. Fine Edit / 2nd Edit

Looking to see if we need transitions:

- Cut vs. Jump Cut - jump cut is transition between clips from the same scene, cut is transition between different scenes. 

- Dissolve - Cross Dissolve: use when you are moving from scene to scene. Can be used to show passage of time, or to transition from black screen.

Every film must START and END with a BLACK SCREEN (5 secs) - go to generators button (box with 2 inside) - go to Solids - choose Customs - drag into front of timeline. 

SOUND

Go through level of sound - sound waves of each clip - you can look at sound meter on the side:

Dialogue: between -6 and -3.

Sound effects: between -6 and -9.

Theme music & Ambience: between -6 and -10.

Sound peaks - distorted sound - lower the volume bar to adjust volume. Avoid recording loud sound - distortion cannot be fixed.  Volume Bar - hold down option key to create dots and select individual bits of sound. 

Inspector: Audio Tab - Audio Enhancement -You can select Background Noise Removal - be careful with the amount you apply. 

Letter Key V - disables the clip. 

Panning - Go to Audio: Pan Mode. Sound from left to right. Create 3-dimensional space in sound. 

You can also choose Surround Sound and fit sound in different places - makes sound feel more dynamic and real. 

Audio Effects.

Audio Equalization - enhance voices. 

Expand Audio Components / Channel Configuration - view channels. 

All the sounds you use must come from Final Cut Pro or the online library. 

Royalty free music is not reliable, not really "royalty free". You can record your own foley. 

VISUAL EFFECTS

Magic Wand - Show Color Board - Color Correction Panel:

- Global Color Correction

- Shadows

- Mid-Tones

- Highlights

Saturate - turn to black and white. 

Exposure: 

To apply color settings to all other clips - Go to Edit - Copy and Paste Attributes. 

You can automate effects.