Steps to editing a Feature Film

S

Sean2D2

New member
I may have an opportunity to edit a feature film, and apparently will be using FCP. I told the director that I have used Premiere Pro for a long time, and haven't used FCP much at all. I thought about asking him if he wanted me to use CS4 so I could edit at my house. (About to buy http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9081325&st=i7&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1218017465909 and CS4).

Could anyone give me some lessons on setting up your workflow in FCP and Premiere? I'd like to know some things that I should do while configuring each program and some problems I should expect while editing.

Is it typical practice to edit parts of the film independlty, then export and at the end compile all of the scenes onto one timeline for a final encode? I had to do this while editing a wedding, but was editing on a dual core laptop with an integrated graphics card and using four different video sources.

I am WAY more commfortable in Premiere, and CS4 is supposed to be a solid competitor with FCP. Anyone think becuase of this I should try to persuade him to edit in CS4. If we did edit on CS4 it would be with the PC I'm buying (Gateway FX6800) and I'd buy probably 6 more gigs of ram.

Also should we buy and setup a raid also, any suggestions on the configuration?

I know this is alot, but I would appreciate it if anyone could give me any guidance. I may not edit his film, but I am also curious for my own puproses as I have never really learned about this aspect of editing, but have tried to research online and haven't been TOO successufl in finding out definitive answers to my questions. All I know about what he has is a Mac and FCP, no idea what kind of Mac or what version of FCP. Thanks!
 
I guess it's your own method and own workflow, so there isn't a right or wrong answer on how to edit...

However, if you want the best method/way to edit, I might not be the guy for that, since my workflow differs from others.

Here's how I'd take a hit on it:

Capture ALL the clips, and log them carefully.

Name everything you make and save (Project files, sequences) don't leave anything Untitled, Untitled1.

Make sure to back up files, maybe after every time you edit?

Use safe and RELIABLE external hard drives if you are going to edit to an external. (With that being in mind, you could always edit using your computers internal hard drive, and back everything up to the external drives. I just find working with your internal computer could speed things up. If you're doing a feature, that's a lot of space, so you ask yourself if your compute could take that pressure)

Now, when you're actually into the edit, that's your own options...

I'd make new sequences for new scenes.

I'm currently editing a fishing show, and I have 5 parts into the 23.50 minute show.

1) Intro
2) Body 1
3) Cottage Angler
4) Body 2
5) Credits

Now, since I know I have to make show 23.50, it's best to have it in different sequences so when the director asks me how much time I have left in this segment, (being intro, body 1, cottage angler, etc) then I know, and we can do the math to add it all up.)

that's for a show though, where you need a TIME LIMIT. But for a movie, you're more safe.

I still advise and think it's a good idea to make every new scene in a new sequence. So you could end up with 50 sequences, or 80, or maybe 30.

Then when you're done, copy and paste them all into ONE sequence. (Here is where you can do your transitions and fades into the next clips)

Now that does seem like a bit, and could get confusing, so another way is you could just edit into the one sequence. The con about this method, is because FCP can be wonky, the sequence could get out of wack and bail on you, especially when you're working with a lot of effects, and a long time line (in the hour range with many effects). Now, depending on the computer you're using, this may or may not happen.

I edit on an Imac, FCP Studio 2, 4 gigs of RAM, 3.06 GHz processor, and use 500 gig LaCie external Hard drives, and I get problems from time to time.

Copying your project into a new sequence seems to help some times as well.

It's really up to you though man, I just thought I could give you some tips on what you could potentially do.

Good luck,

Robbie
 
Last edited:
Robbie Comeau said:
I still advise and think it's a good idea to make every new scene in a new sequence. So you could end up with 50 sequences, or 80, or maybe 30.

Then when you're done, copy and paste them all into ONE sequence. (Here is where you can do your transitions and fades into the next clips)

Now that does seem like a bit, and could get confusing, so another way is you could just edit into the one sequence. The con about this method, is because FCP can be wonky, the sequence could get out of wack and bail on you, especially when you're working with a lot of effects, and a long time line (in the hour range with many effects). Now, depending on the computer you're using, this may or may not happen.
Click to expand...

That's a whole lot of sequences to bounce around. Keep it to reels, meaning that you edit in 20-ish-minute chunks. So for a full-length feature, you may have 5 or 6 sequences. When you're done with all the sequences, you can create a comp reel in a new sequence into which you copy and paste all the working reels. Then you can add your final slate and headers, edit to tape, export a movie, etc.
 
Feature film shot on what? Film? HD? What format of HD? Yes, the tool you use to edit is partially based on what you are comfortable with, but also based on the what that tool can accomplish. For example, if this is being shot on film, CS4 is the LAST application i'd choose to edit this. It doesn't know what to do with film tracking information like Edgecode and Keycode, and how would you sync up audio recorded separately? Avid is KING in this area, with FCP in combination with Cinema Tools a close second.

But that is neither here nor there. What you need to figure out is what you shot on and what you need to deliver and if CS4 can manage all of that.
 
Thanks for the response guys! I met with him and I think the film was shot with a Sony HVR-Z1U if I heard him correctly. Should I import the footage as native HDV or use a Apple codec. There's also a chance that I may eventually export the project and import it into Premiere CS4. If I was to do this I should import as native HDV correct?

Shane CS4 should be fine since it's HDV correct? I've edited a lot of projects in CS3 that were HDV and have never ran into any real problems.

CSV should most Mac Pro's be able to handle a big project like this and having 5 or 6 sequences with 20 minutes of edited footage each? I just didn't want to start on the film, and by the end of editing have FCP going so slow that it would be hard for me to finish the project.

I actually don't know if he has a Mac Pro, he said he really didn't even know what he had for sure. And should I break up the footage while capturing so I can transfer the footage to external hard drives. FAT32 formatted drives only allow for files under 3.99 gb to be transfered correct? I also heard of a program that allows NTSF drives to be used on a Mac, would this be a good option if we didn't end up breaking up the capture of the tapes, and just captured them in their entirety.

Thanks for all the help guys!
 
Shane Ross said:
Feature film shot on what? Film? HD? What format of HD? Yes, the tool you use to edit is partially based on what you are comfortable with, but also based on the what that tool can accomplish. For example, if this is being shot on film, CS4 is the LAST application i'd choose to edit this. It doesn't know what to do with film tracking information like Edgecode and Keycode, and how would you sync up audio recorded separately? Avid is KING in this area, with FCP in combination with Cinema Tools a close second.

But that is neither here nor there. What you need to figure out is what you shot on and what you need to deliver and if CS4 can manage all of that.
Click to expand...

I doubt it will be shot on film and I doubt a Nagra will be used. I imagine CS4 will work OK. If it was shot in film I image they would want a SteenBeck editor. Wouldn't you agree?
 
Sean2D2 said:
Thanks for the response guys! I met with him and I think the film was shot with a Sony HVR-Z1U if I heard him correctly. Should I import the footage as native HDV or use a Apple codec. There's also a chance that I may eventually export the project and import it into Premiere CS4. If I was to do this I should import as native HDV correct?

Shane CS4 should be fine since it's HDV correct? I've edited a lot of projects in CS3 that were HDV and have never ran into any real problems.

CSV should most Mac Pro's be able to handle a big project like this and having 5 or 6 sequences with 20 minutes of edited footage each? I just didn't want to start on the film, and by the end of editing have FCP going so slow that it would be hard for me to finish the project.

I actually don't know if he has a Mac Pro, he said he really didn't even know what he had for sure. And should I break up the footage while capturing so I can transfer the footage to external hard drives. FAT32 formatted drives only allow for files under 3.99 gb to be transfered correct? I also heard of a program that allows NTSF drives to be used on a Mac, would this be a good option if we didn't end up breaking up the capture of the tapes, and just captured them in their entirety.

Thanks for all the help guys!
Click to expand...

With Premiere Pro 3 and 4 you can Edit using Premiere on a computer monitor and out put the video to the HDMI or DVI port of your graphics card to a HD TV. You need a dual head graphics card for this to work but it is an awesome way to edit. Much better than editng DV-25 with a converter box (old school).

A RAID system for the hard drives migh not be an issue with the HDV footage if you keep it in the native format. Most HDV is only about 3.6 megabytes per second. Most SATA drives will work fine. Final Cut Pro's Pro Res codec may increae the file size and in that case a RAID system may be needed. Do the Mac Pro Logic board/motherboard support hardware RAID configurations. I know the P965 chip set will.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top