Anyone care to evaluate my 7d post-workflow?

S

sonofaresiii

Well-known member
I'm no post guy, but when I do my own stuff I find I'm not quite getting the quality I want.
I'd greatly appreciate it if you guys could take a look and tell me if you see any weak points.
Assuming high quality web distribution, but if you see anything that'd work for theatrical, let me know as well, occasionally I get into a theater.

Import h.264 files from 7d -> mpeg streamclip, convert to proress 422 (lt) -> import to final cut pro -> edit, grade using fcp plug-ins -> export using quicktime

it seems like there should be something more. maybe 422 (hq) instead of lt? Should I maybe, somehow revert to the original h.264 files after editing/grading? Or maybe I should be grading outside of FCP, in which case... help? How does that even work?

thanks guys. i promise to go give feedback on all your short videos and demo reels.
 
sonofaresiii said:
I'm no post guy, but when I do my own stuff I find I'm not quite getting the quality I want.
I'd greatly appreciate it if you guys could take a look and tell me if you see any weak points.
Assuming high quality web distribution, but if you see anything that'd work for theatrical, let me know as well, occasionally I get into a theater.

Import h.264 files from 7d -> mpeg streamclip, convert to proress 422 (lt) -> import to final cut pro -> edit, grade using fcp plug-ins -> export using quicktime

it seems like there should be something more. maybe 422 (hq) instead of lt? Should I maybe, somehow revert to the original h.264 files after editing/grading? Or maybe I should be grading outside of FCP, in which case... help? How does that even work?

thanks guys. i promise to go give feedback on all your short videos and demo reels.
Click to expand...


Without examples of your work & what you are looking/failing to achieve then this post by yours is incomplete. On the surface your post workflow sounds right and going from pro res hq to lt is NOT going to make a difference unless you were doing heavy color grading with special fx and creating several different compressed versions. Basically the files created from these cameras are very compressed so that's why you need to properly light your footage to achieve the best possible look.
 
well okay, pretend i'm an idiot (shouldn't be hard) and tell me how doing different workflows might produce better results in different circumstances (since mine are always changing). I swear I've tried to do my own research on this stuff, but it's elusive as all hell, with the most anyone being able to tell me is their specific workflow, but not WHY they chose it... or people just telling me "well, it depends" without telling me what it depends ON. How can I better educate myself to properly make these decisions?
Like I said, I have some understanding of encoding and decompression, but not a lot... I don't do a lot of special effects work, but one of these days I'm undoubtedly going to be asked to do something that's compatible with it, and I'd like to be informed to make the best decisions!

...i sort of suspect this is one of those rare things that once people discover, they want to keep to themselves (it doesn't happen often in cinematography, but it does happen)
 
Patience..... You have all of the tools to try all kinds of different compressions and see what works best for you. Imagine working with film where people had no idea.... Honestly all you need to do is read and experiment. But thinking there is one magical answer is where you are completely wrong. People study and practice this art their whole lives and with the pain and struggle comes greatness, now if your not built for it I suggest you quit now, because trust me every situation is different

peace
 
Sounds like you're really struggling with this and you're looking for clear-cut, direct answers. There are plenty of people on this forum ready, willing, and able, but as "vision" stated, there are often no black and white answers in this field. But let's at least start at a simple beginning: with some of your footage. Get some stuff uploaded and post it. Tell us specifically what bugs you about the video and we'll go from there.

It takes time and a LOT of practice. Trial and error. And patience.
 
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