The Blog for Video 2.0

The Wall Street Journal takes a look at how more and more big time Hollywood editors are now using computers decked out with Avid or Final Cut Pro for editing. Looks like the digital word is not just for indie film any more...

Labels: avid, final cut, hollywood, indie film, video editing

The international open source film, www.straycinema.com, has released new raw film footage on their website.

This is the second open source film provided by Stray Cinema.

The new footage was directed by New Zealand filmmaker Naomi Lamb and features characters in period costume set amidst the spectacular New Zealand landscape and an eerie back alley.

Stray Cinema wants to give everybody the opportunity to have a say over what story is told with this footage.

To participate, people must edit a one-two minute version of the film they wish to make from the available footage. Participants are then invited to post their film edits back onto the Stray Cinema website, to be judged by their online community

Labels: directing, filmmaking, independent film, video editing

Apple released the latest version of their Final cut studio last week at NAB. Most applications received major updates. Added to the bundle is Color, a new color correction app.

Final Cut Pro 6
• Mix and match different video formats and frame rates in the same timeline — all without rendering.
• ProRes 422, a new post-production format from Apple that delivers uncompressed HD quality at SD file sizes.
• Work with Motion templates without ever leaving Final Cut Pro — edit text, replace video, and swap out still images.
• Smooth out shaky shots while preserving standard camera moves using integrated SmoothCam technology.

Motion 3
• Animate in 3D using drag-and-drop behaviors, 3D particles, and replicators, then adjust settings on the fly — while your video continues to play.
• Match movement and track objects with simple tools that take the guesswork out of compositing tasks.
• Design painterly elements using customizable brushes and strokes.

Soundtrack Pro 2
• Work faster than ever with a streamlined interface and new professional tools designed for audio post.
• Create cinematic soundtracks using 5.1 surround tools and effects.
• Enjoy the industry’s first sound-and-picture change management tools.

Color
• Work with comprehensive tools for primary and secondary adjustments, color effects, and geometry changes.
• Combine settings to create signature looks that you can save and reuse later.
• Start with the built-in library or create your own looks from scratch.
• Choose from more than 35 built-in color effects to add visual interest and special color transformations.

Compressor 3
• Work with H.264 encoding presets optimized for iPod and Apple TV.
• Output high-bit-rate video for HD DVD and Blu-ray media preparation.
• Enjoy greater creative control over your audio with filters and support for AC-3 and MP3 files.

DVD Studio Pro 4
• Create SD and HD projects easily using the flexible, intuitive interface.
• Author discs with interactive elements and useful navigation controls.
• Create animated menus with Motion.

Labels: apple, apple color, final cut, motion, soundtrack, video editing

In Part 1 of Movie Making On a Budge we looked at cameras. Now let's take a look at video editing software.

Home Video editor: This is the person who just wants to edit home videos of birthdays and soccer games. Most consumer packages are affordable and more than powerful enough for their targeted user base. The trick is to find a package that is easy to use.

Pinnacle Studio 10 $99. Studio packs a ton of features under the hood. There is a very basic learning curve but for the most part the package is user-friendly. Past versions have suffered from crashes and compatibility issues with non-standard PCs. Includes DVD authorting.

Ulead VideoStudio $99. Ease of use makes this a great package. Very powerful, complete with DVD creation.

Sony Vegas MovieStudio + DVD. $89. Three easy steps to capture, edit and share. Focuses on ease of use and fun. Worth a look.

Apple iMovie HD ($79 as part of iLife suite). Mac users need to look no farther than iMovie. This great beginner package now offers HD support. Apple designed themes provide motion graphics for intros and lower-thirds that rival the most expensive tools in the market. Third party developers provide a series of plugins (at extra cost) to expand iMovies capabilities even further. DVD authoring included in iDVD, a separate iLife application.


Hobbyist: This person is taking things to the next level. Maybe creating DVDs for school events, sports, or weekend movie making.

Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0. $99. Premiere Elements is going to really put pressure on the consumer packages. It really brings the power of Premiere, a great application, down to consumer users. Sceneline feature makes video editing similar to slideshow creation. Includes DVD authoring.

Apple Final Cut Express HD $299. Not ready for the full power of Final Cut? FCE gives users nearly everything they could want/need. Soundtrack and LiveType are bundled. Excellent entry into the world of pro NLE systems.


Filmmaking/Video Producer: You know who you are...

Adobe Production Studio. $1299 - $1799 Adobe After Effects® 7.0 Professional, Adobe Premiere® Pro 2.0, Adobe Photoshop® CS2, Adobe Audition® 2.0, Adobe Encore® DVD 2.0, and Adobe Illustrator® CS2. What more could you need?

Apple Final Cut Studio. $1299. Final Cut Pro 5, Motion 2, Soundtrack Pro, DVD Studio Pro 4, Compressor, LiveType. Battling with Premiere to become the standard for DV and HDV editing.

Sony Vegas+DVD. $600. The Vegas+DVD Production Suite combines Vegas 7, DVD Architect 4, and Dolby Digital® AC-3 encoding software to offer an integrated environment for all phases of professional video, audio, DVD, and broadcast production.

Labels: adobe, apple, camcorder, equipment, filmmaking, final cut, ilife, imovie, indie film, NLE, sony vegas, video editing