23.98 Sequence = Problems for Mixing / Sound

[ElementFilm]

So I've done it all right from the editors end: Shot in 24pA (scene file 6), captured with the proper settings for 23.98, edited on a 23.98 sequence (which is '24p' as I understand it). So now I've got this finished edit and I need to give it to my sound designer and composer. Here's the big problem: The timecode filter in FCP only allows you to choose from 29.97fps & 24fps. There's no setting for 23.98
So, the timecode run doesn't match up with the actual run time of the film, because it's a 24fps timecode running on a 23.98 film. It starts to stray a little, then more and more...
It's absolutely essential that they have proper matching timecode, so -- what am I to do. Do I have to transfer my entire 23.98 sequence (with 23.98 clips) to a 24fps sequence in order to get a matching timecode run? And if so, does this mess up the look of the film? HELP! With as many things that are being shot in 24p (23.98) these days there has to be something. I was even told that logic doesn't have any settings to work with 23.98 -- only 24fps.

 

[Noiz2]

First you are dealing with two diferent things, Frame counting (TC) and speed, Video VS Film. 23.98 doesn't count differently than 24, it just runs slower. Have you out put a file and checked to see that it's drifting or are you just assuming that. I would suspect that the TC is tied to the frame edge and so stays correct. Also I'm assuming that your putting a window burn on the video since I don't believe FCP can actually generate TC so this is just a visual reference, it isn't used for sync at all and is not super critical for audio post ( though if it's not you probably should just leave it off). There is a very neat tool that will add window burns of various types (TC, F+F, title) to any file Quicktime can play. It's called TOKI TC and is around $30.
But another issue is that if your sound editors almost definitely want a 29.97 video file. They wont be able to put a 23.98 one up on a NTSC monitor. THis will not make a difference with sync since both are at video speed.

A window burn is nice but not essential for sound post, IF you have a proper pop so they know where to start the timeline. Other than the initial sync you don't really use the burn for much. It was a must when working from tape so you could look at the tape and take notes. But with the all file based work flow that is 99.9% of what happens now it's not that big a deal.