Entry-level video production

[bp]

You might want to turn to Google for FCPX vs Premiere comparisons

The nutshell version of it is Apple totally revamped FCPX to cater to the amateur Uncle Bob crowd, lowering the price and leaving out a lot of pro-level features and alienating droves of professionals who've jumped ship to either Premiere or Avid.

 

[cayenne]

You might want to turn to Google for FCPX vs Premiere comparisons

The nutshell version of it is Apple totally revamped FCPX to cater to the amateur Uncle Bob crowd, lowering the price and leaving out a lot of pro-level features and alienating droves of professionals who've jumped ship to either Premiere or Avid.

Well, from what I have read so far in researching this....it seemed to me that FCPX has of now..added in all the things that the pros were mad about being left out at the time of FCPX's debut.

About the only thing I can see people complaining about...was that the format of the application itself (layout, magnetic timeline) was a new paradigm in how to interact with the GUI itself.....people b!tching about having to have an old dog learn new tricks so to speak.

Since I'm new.....learning one or the other is no big deal to me.

But I was wondering if there is a serious lack of functionality that FCPX has that Adobe Premier does have...and from what I've read, it doesn't......but hoping someone with Adobe/FCPX hands on experience could tell me what else FCPX is missing in functionalty....after the updates subsequent to the debut (multi-cams, etc).

Thanks!

C

 

[The_Arsonist]

You might want to turn to Google for FCPX vs Premiere comparisons

The nutshell version of it is Apple totally revamped FCPX to cater to the amateur Uncle Bob crowd, lowering the price and leaving out a lot of pro-level features and alienating droves of professionals who've jumped ship to either Premiere or Avid.

There is nothing missing from FCPX that anyone with a budget of under $20k would miss. Most of the features of FC7 are there, they have just either been tweaked, moved, or vastly improved. The multi cam, audio sync, and little interface tweaks make me wonder how I ever survived in 7.

I can't speak to the differences between FCPX and Premiere, as the last time I used Premiere was 8 years ago. Rather than focus on the differences, maybe the question is, can I get professional results from FCPX/Premiere? I would say yes to both. It's kind of like the differences between Nikon and Canon

 

[cayenne]

You might want to turn to Google for FCPX vs Premiere comparisons

The nutshell version of it is Apple totally revamped FCPX to cater to the amateur Uncle Bob crowd, lowering the price and leaving out a lot of pro-level features and alienating droves of professionals who've jumped ship to either Premiere or Avid.

There is nothing missing from FCPX that anyone with a budget of under $20k would miss. Most of the features of FC7 are there, they have just either been tweaked, moved, or vastly improved. The multi cam, audio sync, and little interface tweaks make me wonder how I ever survived in 7.

I can't speak to the differences between FCPX and Premiere, as the last time I used Premiere was 8 years ago. Rather than focus on the differences, maybe the question is, can I get professional results from FCPX/Premiere? I would say yes to both. It's kind of like the differences between Nikon and Canon

Cool!!

Well, I think I'm gonna try the FCPX for the 30 day trial, and then likely drop the $300 on it.
From the tutorials I've been watching, it appears to be more than enough for me to get a solid start with.....and concepts like color correction, audio dub/sync, green screens...etc...etc....are common to either platform, and seems to be mostly a manner of learning where each one places the buttons to do what you want.

C

 

[The_Arsonist]

Yes, I highly recommend walking through everything with tutorials. My usual approach of figuring it out on my own frustrated me to the point of writing it off when it was released. Now that I've read up and watched videos, I appreciate it much more

 

[The_Arsonist]

Also, not sure if Premiere still has the demo, but you can try out a month of Creative Cloud for $50 and test drive the whole CS6 suite

 

[DB]

Also, not sure if Premiere still has the demo, but you can try out a month of Creative Cloud for $50 and test drive the whole CS6 suite

FYI, if you're a student (even part-time) or a teacher, you can purchase a complete copy of Adobe Production Premium CS6 (with After Effects/Premiere Pro/Photoshop/Illustrator etc.) for less than $350 (or perhaps someone in the family is in full-time college education, that way you get a fully licensed copy at a sensible price).

 

[XSHINERX]

As a video producer, I would say that if you shoot the crap out of everything,make sure its in focus and exposed well enough, make sure your audio is clean,then you can work miracles in post. As far as final cut 10 and adobe premiere, go with final cut x, learn how to edit, if you outgrow FC, skip premiere and learn Avid, thats what grown ups use, to edit!

 

[HurtinMinorKey]

skip premiere and learn Avid, thats what grown ups use, to edit!

What can Avid do that Premiere CS6 can't do?

 

[Policar]

skip premiere and learn Avid, thats what grown ups use, to edit!

What can Avid do that Premiere CS6 can't do?

It's much better suited for a larger production with more editors working on the same project and with other media sourced out to other programs.

In terms of simple cutting, anything that can output an EDL will do.

It also depends who you consider to be "grown ups." A LOT of tv, even really huge budget stuff, is edited in FCP7 and finished in Smoke, but most large films are still cut in Avid. If you're looking to work as a movie editor, knowing Avid might be more helpful to you... For an independent production company, Premiere Pro might be the best choice--it's very fast, integrates well with the Creative Suite, and for editing Red footage it's unparalleled--so long as you don't try to bring any non-Adobe software into the mix.

 

[wickidwombat]

hello video people i'm a complete video novice but want to do a little dabelling in video too
probably my biggest issue is holding the camera still enough so i'm looking for a cheap stabiliser rig
what is everyones opinion on something like this?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DSLR-Video-Camera-Shoulder-Mount-Film-Production-Cage-Rig-/251098196888?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3a769e6b98

also looking for a not too expensive mic and external audio recorder but soooo many to choose from its mind boggling


what is the difference between the rode NTG-1 and the NTG-2

is a tascam DR-40 a good recorder?


hows this combo
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Tascam-DR-40-4-Track-Recorder-w-Rode-NTG-1-Shotgun-Microphone-/360395822178?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e943d462

 

[thundermonkey]

If you are doing run and gun work you might prefer to get this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/737980-REG/Manfrotto_561BHDV_1_Fluid_Video_Monopod_W_Head.html


Tascam is supposed to be good, but I personally went the H4N route.

As for mic, I go with the Rode VMP. It has a +20 DB switch allowing you to keep the recording volume on the camera low, meaning you won't get that hiss from the preamp, meaning in a pinch you could use the audio from the camera direct no problem.

Ah, the things I wish I didn't have to learn on my own. :

 

[paul13walnut5]

I prefered the Rode NTG-2 fr my DSLR (behaves very like the Sennheiser K6/ME66 I also use) has a balanced cable run with XLRs into your zoom/tascam/beachtek.

The VMP might be ok on camera (urggggh, on camera - breathing noises, handling noises, focus noises, iris noises, crap perspective) but I would save the money and get rycote micro windjammer for your front mic, and put the cash saved towards a good set of headphones. The cable run from the VMP is not balanced, if you used it off camera as close perspective mic (that is the correct way to mic) you would be able to pick up mobile phone calls on the extension cable. Not really. But almost. The VMP is a toy. On camera micing is fine for ambient.

Re: Supports. Video monopod is good shout, I also have a fig rig. Camera cages... not my thing. And decent ones aren't cheap. Kind of defeat one of the key advantages of DSLR shooting - low cost and small form.

A lot of these rigs are so pimped out their users need to get tramp stamps, fedora hats and mink coats just to fit in.

 

[wickidwombat]

cool thanks for the info, I'm not quite sure I understand the running the mic into the camera and then into the recorder why would you not be able to do this with the Rode NTG-1? the reason i like that combo is it seems like a decent deal

I dont want to spend too much on video stuff since i shoot still but wanted to dabble with some video and have a play around with it since the 5Ds are supposed to be so good for video. but by the same token I know the thing i'm going to have to control is wobbly footage

I have a solid tripod with the novoflex magicball head already so i'll have a go with that first and see how it goes before I look at a video head

but as far as some sort of should mounted rig its just downright bewildering

 

[paul13walnut5]

Ntg-1 is phantom powered only: you would need a suitable power source, tascams and zooms with xlrs will also provide phantom power, just take back up batteries.

Ntg-2 can take phantom, or be powered by internal AA.

From what you've written I'm not sure if you are proposing to daisy chain devices...

What body are you using? Is it one with a headphone output?

I personally would seek to record via a device with headphone socket, so you can monitor the audio.

A zoom has this and the 5d3, 1dx and 1dc have this, so theres nothing stopping you recording directly into the body so long as your cable run is short.

Rifle mics hear differently from our ears. Youneed to monitor.

As with most mics you want to be as close as possible to the source- best levels, least environmental noise and best chance of aiming the mic properly (rifle mics ate very directional)

 

[wickidwombat]

Ntg-1 is phantom powered only: you would need a suitable power source, tascams and zooms with xlrs will also provide phantom power, just take back up batteries.

Ntg-2 can take phantom, or be powered by internal AA.

From what you've written I'm not sure if you are proposing to daisy chain devices...

What body are you using? Is it one with a headphone output?

I personally would seek to record via a device with headphone socket, so you can monitor the audio.

A zoom has this and the 5d3, 1dx and 1dc have this, so theres nothing stopping you recording directly into the body so long as your cable run is short.

Rifle mics hear differently from our ears. Youneed to monitor.

As with most mics you want to be as close as possible to the source- best levels, least environmental noise and best chance of aiming the mic properly (rifle mics ate very directional)

What is phantom power? :-[

I have 2 5Dmk2 and a 5Dmk3 and a 1Dmk3 which i'll shoot time lapse stills with

i was planning on sticking the rode mic on a pole with the external recorder, does this mean i would need a seperate power supply?

maybe better off spending the bit extra on the NTG-2 then to be able to use AA

I like that that deal is only $400 for both the mic and recorder

I got those lavalier mics and the blue fire for iphone recommended on page 1
they arrived yesterday and I had a bit of a play with them yesterday sound is not bad, better than just trying to record from the camera but obviously if people are moving around they wont be any good

 

[paul13walnut5]

What is phantom power? :-[

Power supplied to condenser mics from a device from which the microphone is plugged into. Most professional broadcast cameras supply phantom power, and most decent condenser mics are able to accept phantom power.

I have 2 5Dmk2 and a 5Dmk3 and a 1Dmk3 which i'll shoot time lapse stills with

5Dmk3 has headphone socket. It's imperitive to monitor audio, so this is the camera I would use where audio is critical.

i was planning on sticking the rode mic on a pole with the external recorder, does this mean i would need a seperate power supply?

The external recorder may supply phantom power, but it will also probably zap the battery by doing so.
It makes no sense to have the recorder at a boompoles length.

:This makes it difficult to see the recorders controls, specifically audio level (which should be manual) and record status, battery life.

:Makes it difficult to run headphones so you can hear what is being recorded (you need to hear what the mic hears. If it's close it may pick up breathing, or fabric rustle or jewellery jangle etc) and the mic pick up pattern is very very different to what we hear.

maybe better off spending the bit extra on the NTG-2 then to be able to use AA

I would say so.

I like that that deal is only $400 for both the mic and recorder

The video mic is adequate for camera top run and gunning ambient sound. It isn't designed for anything more specialist.

I got those lavalier mics and the blue fire for iphone recommended on page 1
they arrived yesterday and I had a bit of a play with them yesterday sound is not bad, better than just trying to record from the camera but obviously if people are moving around they wont be any good

I don't know the product so cannot comment. I use Sony ECM-77's for cabled lavalier, and Sennheiser EW112's for wireless lavalier. They are expensive, but in your situation I would sell one of the 5D2s and buy some decent sound gear.

 

[wickidwombat]

thanks for all the help Paul

I'm mostly a still shooter so no selling a 5Dmk2 yet
just going to be playing around with learning video and doing a few things for friends
however I like to do things properly which i why i want to get some decent stuff

from looking atr demos i quite like that tascam unit and its well priced it has headphone jacks
(I wasnt going to hang that up the pole with the mic i was going to get an XLR cable)
thanks for clearing up the phantom power

So the main differences between the rode NTG1 and 2 is that using the 1 will drain the battery on the tascam sooner however they are equivalent as far as audio quality goes?

will a monopod be enough for hand held mic boom? or do i need to get a dedicated one? I've seen ones with XLR cables internal which look like they might be more convenient to use

also a dead cat on the mic is a good idea? especially for out doors i guess

so currrently I am planning to use the 5Dmk3 for run and gun video, 5Dmk2 for stuff off tripod, 1Dmk3 for timelapse off tripod
external mic on pole and external recorder
this means 2 sets of headphones are needed 1 for the 5Dmk3 and 1 for the external recorder
what would you recomend for decent quality and not silly expensive headphones? I know audio stuff can go to insane crazy expensive prices

I also need some kind of support to keep the 5Dmk3 steady during shooting a shoulder rig of somesort i guess
there seem to be billions of different ones on ebay

thanks again for all the advice

oh I also have access to a 600D which i notice will run magic lantern 2.2 I tried an earlier version of ML on my 5D2 but was not impressed with it the new version looks much slicker its just not out for the 5Dmk2 yet

 

[paul13walnut5]

So the main differences between the rode NTG1 and 2 is that using the 1 will drain the battery on the tascam sooner however they are equivalent as far as audio quality goes?

Yep.

will a monopod be enough for hand held mic boom? or do i need to get a dedicated one? I've seen ones with XLR cables internal which look like they might be more convenient to use

Are you shooting drama? If not I wouldn't bother booming. It's really another person to boom. You can't do it all.

Monopods are too short. You are as well with a mic stand with boom arm. Place the weight over one leg and thats it. One less body. Decent off camera sound.

also a dead cat on the mic is a good idea? especially for out doors i guess

Yep, the NTG's come with a foam cover, which should be removed indoors, the foam is ok outside in good conditions, the dead cat is what you want for windy conditions. I use a rycote softee and suspension grip, rode do their own equivalents, which I haven't used. I can vouch that the rycote works brilliantly in severe conditions. Which we have a lot in Scotland.

external mic on pole and external recorder
this means 2 sets of headphones are needed 1 for the 5Dmk3 and 1 for the external recorder
what would you recomend for decent quality and not silly expensive headphones? I know audio stuff can go to insane crazy expensive prices

The go to headphones for location video are sennheiser HD-25-II's. There is a cheaper SP version, and some folk like the marginally cheaper Beyer Dynamic DT-100s.

If these are well beyond budget then the AKG-K450's are actually pretty good, closed back and comfortable.
If you go much cheaper then they will be rubbish. Avoid in ear (uncomfortable after a while) and fashion headphones.

I also need some kind of support to keep the 5Dmk3 steady during shooting a shoulder rig of somesort i guess
there seem to be billions of different ones on ebay

Fig rig or video monopod. I personally don't like rigs.

 

[wickidwombat]

awesome thanks for all the help!
those AKG headphones look good only $50 each on ebay from china!
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/160730885661?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I have an external battery pack I made for driving studio strobes in the field (1000W inverter and 2 SLA golf buggy batteries) which would be easily enought to power the tascam and mic with an AC adaptor if it were stationary, I can probably use a light C stand to mount the mic and just velcro tie an XLR cable to it
still portable enough to be able to relocate from location to location as the battery pack is all stored in a lowepro nova 200AW bag, quite heavy though but portable. I also have tons of AA eneloops for flashes

decent price on the tascam DR40
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Tascam-DR-40-Handheld-4-Track-Recorder-/271010197591?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f19777057

plus rode NTG-2 including shock absorber
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Rode-NTG-2-Shotgun-Mic-XLR-3-5mm-Adapter-Shockmount-/360462356176?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53ed3b0ed0

only 50 bucks more than that other combo