In 2020 "Parasite" won the Academy Award for Best Picture. The film was masterfully edited using Final Cut Pro 7 which has not been available since 2010.
Trint: Transcriptions Redefined
A friend pointed me to Trint transcription services. They claim to have redefined transcriptions by creating a superior software algorithm to quickly and pretty accurately turn around transcriptions from audio and video files. I was very skeptical having tried software like this in the past. Well, after trying them out, I am quite impressed.
Mac OSX Sierra. Proceed with Caution.
Thanks to a stupid user error on my part, I found myself unable to retrieve my photos in the Apple Photo app because another machine had updated the library. My Macbook Air was running OS Yosemite and my library had accidentally been attached to an El Capitan iMac. Unfortunately, El Capitan is already history from the App Store so I had to plunge into Mac OS X Sierra.
Why I use Rampant Design Tools
No, I’m not a paid spokesperson for Rampant Design Tools. I just love their products and when they asked if I would create a video telling folks why I use them, well of course I said yes. Beyond the awesomeness of the products, there the awesomeness of Sean and Stefani Mullen. Real creatives who make wonderful tools for the rest of us.
Adobe moves to support ProRes natively on Windows
Recently security reports came out noting that Quicktime Player on Windows machine is a major security issue. This creates a quandry for those editing professional video using the Apple ProRes codec since installing Quicktime is required to use this codec. Apparently Adobe is now working to natively support ProRes in the application without the need for Quicktime to be installed. Cool move.
Editing on DaVinci Resolve 12.5: Day Three
It’s Day Three of my “real world” editing on DaVinci Resolve 12.5 and this is going to be the longest blog yet as I want to show you guys a lot of the “little things” that are making editing in Resolve a pleasure. I know there are a lot of questions still out there whether this is really a professional editor. For me it’s the small things that separate the applications making life efficient and fun for the the editor. I also had a pleasant surprise today. Alexis Van Hurkman, the man who literally wrote the manual on Resolve, called to point out some of the editing specific features that I might not be aware were there.
Editing on DaVinci Resolve 12.5: Day Two
Ok, if I’m being honest about this, Day Two was really a continuation of a very LONG day one. Some updates on the issues from Day One.
The need to Transcode to ProRes. Paul Saccone from Blackmagic Design reached out to me and told me I didn’t need to transcode the 4k H264 to ProRes to get better performance. I can use “Generate Optimized Media” instead.
Editing on DaVinci Resolve 12.5: Day One
At the recently completed NAB Show in Las Vegas, Blackmagic Design took the wraps off DaVinci Resolve 12.5. It really could be a Resolve 13 but they probably wanted to avoid that unlucky number. I’ve been predicting for over a year now that NAB 2016 would be the year this tool became a full fledged non-linear editing system and sure enough, it’s a solid editing platform.
Add a PanaVision look to your next Project
My friend Vashi Nedomansky has updated his fabulous Ultimate Aspect Ratio Guide which can help you add a “Panasvision Look” to any project. He was inspired by the recent 70mm release of the Hateful Eight to update his looks.
It’s not just about adding a vignette over your video to give it a “Panavision Look.” It’s about adding correct aspect ratio vignettes over your video so they “look real.” Vashi goes beyond just telling you what the aspect ratios are, he gives you 50+ FREE templates to use in the NLE of your choice from SD to 6k. You can even use them in FX software like After Effects or Fusion, you just drag them to a video layer above the one you’re working on.
Also included is a link to the Unravel_Resolution_CheatSheet for exporting to the current frame sizes for various outputs.
Vashi is an incredible artist and an all around great guy. Be sure to bookmark his site for lots of great freebies.
Norway delivers a Vertical Documentary for Mobile Video
The folks at Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) have shot their first full documentary specifically for the vertical format. They’re goal was not to make it look good on the mobile phone, it was to make it look the BEST on the mobile phone. I have to be honest and say I’m one of those who yell “Turn the phone sideways!” when I see folks shooting vertical video. But who knows, maybe they’re onto something here. Video tailored specifically to the mobile audience displayed how they like to hold the phone.
Downloading Adobe Encore for DVD Authoring
Yes, Adobe Encore is still available for those times when you have to author DVDs for clients. Don’t laugh, we recently did a run of 300 for a client and are about to do another run for another client. So yes, DVDs are still alive and well in our digital streaming age.
Adobe has never separated the Encore installer from Premiere Pro CS6 so you have to download that first.
In Creative Cloud app, under “Find Additional Apps,” click on Previous Version Drop down (next to Video) and then you’ll see in blue at the bottom of that window “View Previous Versions.” Click that ‘View Previous Versions.’
It looks like not much happens, but now you have access all the way back to CS6. Click the dropdown next to Premiere Pro. You’ll see you now have options to download the earlier versions. Download CS6 which will bring Encore with it. After it’s downloaded, you can actually Uninstall Premiere Pro CS6. That will disappear but Encore CS6 will remain.
Transfer FCPX Project to Adobe Creative Cloud Apps
Whoa! The folks at Intelligent Assistance have upgraded their X to 7 app (now renamed X to CC) to allow you to transfer FCPX projects to Adobe Creative Cloud apps (like Premiere Pro and After Effects). More cross platform ease of workflow. Bravo!
Bill Nye Inspired Project Underway!
Science can be wet.
For the past 6 months we’ve been working closely with a client on a Water Science project for a local school system with the overall feel and scripting inspired by “Bill Nye, Science Guy.” The scripts were written by BCM Principal, Walter Biscardi, Jr and he’s also serving as the Director for the project. We’re finally in Production after having spent last week loading in and rehearsing.
BCM completes PSA with Victoria Stilwell for Fix Georgia Pets
June 1, 2015; Atlanta, GA; – Biscardi Creative Media (BCM) has completed post-production on two Public Service Announcements for Fix Georgia Pets featuring world-renowned dog trainer Victoria Stilwell. The PSAs remind all of us the importance of spaying and neutering our pets to help cut down on animal overpopulation. This topic is near and dear to our hearts at BCM with our own Molly the Wonder Dog being a rescue.
Thuderbolt Bus Mapping on the new Mac Pro
Saw this posted on a Facebook User Group and it’s great information for anyone in Production who uses the new Mac Pro (trash can) models. Apparently there is a method to using the three Thunderbolt Busses on the machine to ensure good data throughput, especially from your external RAID. Very good information here from FCP Works.