September 2, 2024

I don't know why I was so reluctant to learn DaVinci Resolve. It's been on my To-Do list for, ah, years. Maybe I was intimidated by the interface. Maybe I thought it would be too much work. Maybe I thought I was too old to learn. I don't know...

Until I decided that the only way I was going to learn it was to teach it. And, after spending this last week really getting into it, I discovered it is an AMAZING program! With some lovely features. And, given what I already knew about video editing, very learnable. Whew!

So, I invite you to join me for my free "Get Started with DaVinci Resolve 19" webinar this Wednesday. Blackmagic released their latest version last week, so this week, I'll showcase how to edit a project in Resolve from import-to-export.

I'll spend extra time illustrating techniques for editing, trimming and audio mixing. Plus I'm sharing over 50 keyboard shortcuts to make you a faster editor. Invest an hour of your time this Wednesday and get comfortable with Resolve, or discover tips you didn't already know. Feel free to invite your friends.

Link: FREE Registration for Larry's DaVinci Resolve 19 Webinar

TOP THREE NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK

News moved to my home page, now with daily updates - 14 new stories this week. With IBC in two weeks, expect more news daily. Check back often.

Topaz Labs updated Video AI and Photo AI with interface improvements that make it easier to select AI models, as well as improved AI technology.

Link: https://www.topazlabs.com/downloads

Marshall Electronics will preview its latest camera model, the CV625 PTZ camera. The CV625 features a 25x zoom that is ideal for large venue auto-tracking, broadcast events, show stages, educational lecture halls and large format houses of worship.

Link: https://marshall-usa.com/

Cine Gear - Atlanta opens free registration for their Oct. 4-5, 2024, event held at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville, Georgia.

Link: https://www.cinegearexpo.com/atl-expo/atl-registration/

In celebration of Labor Day here in the US, every webinar in my store is discounted 25%. Use coupon code: Larry25. This discount applies even if the title is already discounted. Expires midnight September 15, 2024.

Three interesting tutorials this week. The first came from an email from Joel who asked: “I want a logo to enlarge, eventually getting to the point where a single letter fills the screen, and at the same time, the logo area gradually becomes the concert video. How do I do this?” There are at least three ways, none of which involve chroma-key. Here’s an illustrated approach to all three.

Link: Animate Video Inside a Logo in Final Cut Pro

As I explored DaVinci Resolve, I discovered a very helpful technique to improve audio quality even during the early stages of a rough cut by applying hidden presets to dialog tracks. This one trick makes my edit a whole lot easier to hear.

Link: Optimize Dialog For Quality and Levels in DaVinci Resolve

“Ducking” is the process of lowering the audio level of background music or background sounds during dialog. Resolve has a blindingly fast way to do this automatically – without keyframes. It's called "sidechaining." Here’s how.

Link: Automatically “Duck” Background Music Under Dialog in DaVinci Resolve

Diving deep into Resolve this past week was very reassuring to me. First, Resolve is a great program. No, I'm not giving up Final Cut or Premiere, but Resolve does things those two don't. My Dad was a carpenter by hobby and always said he could never have enough tools. The same is true for editors. 

But it was reassuring on a more fundamental level. It reminded me that we are never too old to learn. That the process of learning something new puts what we already know into better perspective. And learning something new often provides new ways to see the world in which we live and work. I'm looking forward to sharing what I've learned with you this Wednesday.

Until next Monday, stay healthy, stay hopeful and edit well.

TUTORIALS & REVIEWS

» Animate Video Inside a Logo in Final Cut Pro (Tutorial)

   » Here's how to zoom a logo over a background, then fill it with a second video.

» Optimize Dialog For Quality and Levels in DaVinci Resolve (Tutorial)

   » These hidden interface presets make it easy to make dialog sound better.

» Automatically "Duck" Background Music Under Dialog in Resolve (Tutorial)

   » Resolve has a blindingly fast way to do this automatically – without keyframes.

TOP 4 TITLES LAST WEEK