Call Box Live: 24P Digital Post Production
with Final Cut Pro and the Panasonic DVX100
by Ezra Peace
I recently came across a copy of Call Box's most recent offering featuring Noah Kadner (found on their site). Even though I am fairly experienced in the 24P workflow, I am of the school of thought that you can never know it all. In an ever changing industry such as film and video production - one that relies on an even more rapidly changing technology - what you know as bible truth today can change to fallacy by tomorrow.
As I do with most tips-and-tricks type DVD's, I approached it with guarded optimism, hoping that there would be that one or two "nuggets" of truth that would make the whole thing worth while. After my initial viewing of it I was pleased with the amount of valid content provided. However, it wasn't until my second pass that I picked up on something in Noah's commentary that inspired me to rethink a particular aspect of my own workflow. It is this kind of provocative content that makes this DVD worth the price of purchase.
At the modest price of $75, 24P Digital Post Production is quite the gem, given the price of most bootcamps and seminars these days. The training in this DVD can potentially set the professional posture for a newbie looking to get into the 24P workflow, and reconcile an existing workflow for the "seasoned professional" with scores of 24P projects under their belt. Noah presents the basics in a way that could be considered curriculum in the areas that matter (areas that don't matter include how you mark your slate, etc.). However, there may be areas that he covers that pro's may have either not given much thought to or learned wrong by someone else all together. So no matter what your experience level, this DVD is not a bad idea.
Aesthetically the DVD is well put together - studio shot and produced as opposed to many of these type of videos I have come across over the years that feature a guy in his home office, poorly lit and even more poorly delivered. Noah presents the information in a fun and articulate way, and it is easy to follow what he is saying. This may sound like a given, but if it does you'd be surprised by some of the tips videos out there.
The content within covers a well-rounded basis of information such as basic hardware suggestions that you'll need for an optimum workspace, to basic workflow suggestions addressing digitizing, tape stock, maintenance, slating, clip logging, backups and even camera settings. It addresses common tape issues such as dropouts or physical damage and what to do when either occur. It gives tips on capturing and best practices when working with DV. In addition to these basics, Noah enlightens his audience with the following "tidbits" essential to proper workflow:
• what frame rate you should ALWAYS capture at no matter what you shot in
• easily telling the difference between 24P and 24PA footage
• using cinema tools to reverse telecine your exported footage
• exporting from FCP for various other applications
• introduction to Compressor and best practices
• touches on DVD Studio pro
• step by step on how to create a 24P native DVD
• how to edit in a 24P native timeline
• when to shoot in 24P or 24PA
• when to edit in 23.98 or 29.97
• preparing projects for output to film
• slating operations - slating techniques, marking techniques, and best practices
live feed captures
• timecode - freerun vs record run, when to use each, and syncing timecode on multiple DVX100's
•
aspect ratios, shooting modes and the differences between them
For those interested, 24P Digital Post Production from Call Box is worth the price of admission, especially for those interested in demystifying the 24P workflow. It's a good primer to get started and get you working in 24P today - even if you don't shoot with the DVX100.
For more information or to purchase Call Box Live 24P Digital Post Production with Final Cut Pro and the Panasonic DVX100:
http://www.callboxlive.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=28
Ezra Peace is President of Motion Media, LLC, a company with a passion for film making. In addition to producing short and feature films, Motion Media, LLC offers a filmic style to its commercial and industrial clients as well when producing their projects (which may include promotional and training videos as well as TV spots). For more information go to www.getmotionmedia.com. Mr. Peace is also a professional photographer specializing in fashion and editorial work and has done work for organizations such as Sidewalk Magazine and the United Way. His online book may be viewed at www.ezrapeace.com.
June 2007 |
