Larry Jordan's Newsletter

Jan. 21, 2019

There's nothing like discovering I have something new to learn to add a sparkle to my life. Last week, I got to play with a new Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. I'm using it in my classes later this semester and want to learn how it works. (I'll write up what I discover after I've used it some more.)

As soon as I pressed Record I discovered the challenges of SD cards that are too slow, the massive size of 4K RAW files, and the need for very fast, very large external storage. I also tripped over the compatibility issues of Cinema DNG. This video format, which is a sequence of still images rather than a single clip, has been around for a few years, but it is not supported currently in FCP X. It is supported in Premiere and DaVinci Resolve, both of which import the individual images and convert them into something that behaves like a clip.

As I was exploring further, I learned about the new Blackmagic RAW codec; a free, open, multi-platform codec designed for both cinema and video use. This codec is supported in DaVinci Resolve but not Premiere or FCP X. I really like that it allows us to choose between constant bit rates or constant quality settings.

After finishing last week's webinar on Color Basics in Premiere, I was going to do an advanced session on all the cool color stuff that I didn't have time to cover. But, instead, I want to take a couple of weeks with this new BMD camera, shoot some HDR and RAW material and use that to learn more about how both FCP X and Premiere handle high-end images. It's been a while since I updated myself.

This is all a long explanation of why there's no webinar this week - I'm taking the time to learn about these new high-end video formats. Cool.

However, I do have two new videos from last week's webinar on Premiere - one on the new Comparison View and the other is a soup-to-nuts summary of measuring and adjusting skin tones. In addition, I included a table of common skin tone values that is very helpful in making your on-screen talent look great. While this is targeted at Premiere editors, the table can be used by anyone. I also have an overview article on how to use keyframes in Motion 5.

Apple updated Final Cut Pro X to version 10.4.5 last week. After reading the release notes and using it to edit this week's webinar, the update seems to be solely a bug fix version. It doesn't even require updating existing libraries. I didn't have any problems with it and, if you are using 10.4.4, I recommend updating.

FXFactory released a stunning new plug-in that creates tracking call-outs for FCP X and Motion. I haven't worked with it, but the demo looks fascinating. Learn more.

Digital Production Buzz covered security last week. As more companies move media production and post to The Cloud, security becomes an ever-present concern. On last week's show we talked with experts from DPP, Digital Anarchy, Bebop Technology and Frame.io on what it takes to keep our projects secure as collaboration increases and more assets are stored in The Cloud. Listen here.

That's it for this week. I'm looking forward to shooting some 4K HDR material so I can see what the latest technology looks like. Seems like this week is a good week to start. I'll let you know what I find out. In the meantime, edit well.

Last Week on The Buzz

As more companies move media to The Cloud, security becomes an ever-present concern. Listen as we talk with experts on what it takes to keep our projects secure as collaboration increases and more assets are stored in The Cloud.

* Mark Harrison, DPP

* Jim Tierney, Digital Anarchy

* David Benson, Bebop Technology

* Emery Wells, Frame.io

* James DeRuvo, DoddleNEWS.com

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