Post Software
Tools and Talent
13/April/11 09:22 AM
Picking tools is fun.
Arguing about which tool is best is fun. Checking out
shiny accesories for the tool is fun.
But, eventually, you have to build the house. Or award winning feature. Read More...
But, eventually, you have to build the house. Or award winning feature. Read More...
Comments
NLE Changes and Creating Art Part 2
11/April/10 07:17 PM
Autodesk SMOKE is a very
high end product. Is it worth a minimum of $20K? And
the very anticipated release of Adobe CS5. Will it
devalue the FCP currency? AVID has announced MC 5.
Significant or nice-to have feature
changes/additions?
Read More...
Read More...
NLE Changes and Creating Art
08/April/10 12:26 PM
Changes coming fast and
furious in the editing software world. Adobe back and
better! FCP on its last legs? Smoke 2010 on the Mac!
AVID streamlining, relevant again, and promising an
uber-surprise at NAB!
I’ve resisted writing about editing tech so far in this blog, even though it excites me beyond reason and is half the focus of FORWARD EDIT. Why? I believe that the artistic side of editing, and post in general get short shrift in the online world. Even when editors/assistants get together, talk inevitably turns to software/hardware problems or the newest toys or keeping up/one upping everyone else. What version of FCP are you on? Me: 6.06 vs. the current 7.02. Why are we so obsessed with software that is all fairly similar in what it does and even how it does it? And did editors and assistants in the pre-digital age talk shop in this way? Latest Steenbeck or Moviola? I suspect “hardware” issues came up along with the best ways to solve them. Sync methods, how fast can you go, sorting trims, etc...but I don’t think such things occupied vast tracts of conversation time (if the Internet had existed then, would blogs have covered picture post much at all?)
And definitely, the ability to operate software does not an editor, or even assistant (me) make. What does is an innate ability to tell a story. For assistants, it’s an ability to organize, juggle tasks, lay down sound FX, and a million other “arts.” Oh yes, navigating uncooperative software helps.
Anyways, the changes, challenges, surprises: the future. (Why do all 4 NLE companies begin with “A”?)
The non surprise at the moment. Shipping vs. is 7.02 ($999) and the most recent large update was last year and was a minor upgrade disguised as an event. As far as I’m concerned, there have been no significant changes in years. Yes, years. So what’s going on? Rumors would have you believe that Apple doesn’t care about FCP at all anymore and is trying to sell it. Even read a rumor today that AVID’s NAB shocker will be that it has bought FCP! Don’t believe that... And yet, what gives? iPad, iPhone, App Store just taking up too many of Apple’s resources? Probably. Apple got a lot of people to buy Macs that wouldn’t have otherwise and now doesn’t care anymore? Maybe. I argue that Apple caused the true democratization of editing by creating a relatively affordable NLE. And somewhat easier to use than AVID. So why give up now? Some estimates are that FCP has captured close to 50% of the major player NLE market. All of this year’s Oscar nom’d docs were cut on FCP.
AVID has been working hard to clean up their product line. Previously there were too many editions of what was basically one core product, Media Composer. Currently vs. 4.05, $2295 software only. Different AVID finishing products still exist and are solid performers. I think it’s especially important that AVID released a software only version for the Mac last year. For hi-powered Mac Pros, this is a fine solution. I learned NLE on an AVID and think it has some advantages over FCP. Not tremendous, but some. Like media management. And pretty colors.
VIACOM last month ordered that all shows that are cut for any of its divisions (Paramount, MTV, Comedy Central), must be cut on AVID. WOW.
AVID is promising a mega surprise announcement at NAB; I haven’t heard any worthwhile rumors. A few more days wait.
Part 2: CS5 and Smoke.
I’ve resisted writing about editing tech so far in this blog, even though it excites me beyond reason and is half the focus of FORWARD EDIT. Why? I believe that the artistic side of editing, and post in general get short shrift in the online world. Even when editors/assistants get together, talk inevitably turns to software/hardware problems or the newest toys or keeping up/one upping everyone else. What version of FCP are you on? Me: 6.06 vs. the current 7.02. Why are we so obsessed with software that is all fairly similar in what it does and even how it does it? And did editors and assistants in the pre-digital age talk shop in this way? Latest Steenbeck or Moviola? I suspect “hardware” issues came up along with the best ways to solve them. Sync methods, how fast can you go, sorting trims, etc...but I don’t think such things occupied vast tracts of conversation time (if the Internet had existed then, would blogs have covered picture post much at all?)
And definitely, the ability to operate software does not an editor, or even assistant (me) make. What does is an innate ability to tell a story. For assistants, it’s an ability to organize, juggle tasks, lay down sound FX, and a million other “arts.” Oh yes, navigating uncooperative software helps.
Anyways, the changes, challenges, surprises: the future. (Why do all 4 NLE companies begin with “A”?)
APPLE-Final Cut Pro
The non surprise at the moment. Shipping vs. is 7.02 ($999) and the most recent large update was last year and was a minor upgrade disguised as an event. As far as I’m concerned, there have been no significant changes in years. Yes, years. So what’s going on? Rumors would have you believe that Apple doesn’t care about FCP at all anymore and is trying to sell it. Even read a rumor today that AVID’s NAB shocker will be that it has bought FCP! Don’t believe that... And yet, what gives? iPad, iPhone, App Store just taking up too many of Apple’s resources? Probably. Apple got a lot of people to buy Macs that wouldn’t have otherwise and now doesn’t care anymore? Maybe. I argue that Apple caused the true democratization of editing by creating a relatively affordable NLE. And somewhat easier to use than AVID. So why give up now? Some estimates are that FCP has captured close to 50% of the major player NLE market. All of this year’s Oscar nom’d docs were cut on FCP.
AVID-Media Composer
AVID has been working hard to clean up their product line. Previously there were too many editions of what was basically one core product, Media Composer. Currently vs. 4.05, $2295 software only. Different AVID finishing products still exist and are solid performers. I think it’s especially important that AVID released a software only version for the Mac last year. For hi-powered Mac Pros, this is a fine solution. I learned NLE on an AVID and think it has some advantages over FCP. Not tremendous, but some. Like media management. And pretty colors.
VIACOM last month ordered that all shows that are cut for any of its divisions (Paramount, MTV, Comedy Central), must be cut on AVID. WOW.
AVID is promising a mega surprise announcement at NAB; I haven’t heard any worthwhile rumors. A few more days wait.
Part 2: CS5 and Smoke.