Workflow Junkies

Episode 25 - Render Rocket

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:34:28 +0000

“Render Rocket” with honcho Ruben Perez integrates the processing power of the cloud into modern digital workflow. How companies are turning projects more quickly for less by offloading their renders for processing online. Also, the new cool tool from Philip and Greg at Assisted Editing. Host: Dan Green

The processing power of the cloud is being harnessed by a Southern California startup serving the video and film industry and anybody else whoʼs spend way too much time waiting around for files to render. Now, instead of rending processor power, you can upload your animation files to the web and have them processed in the cloud and fed right back to you online in record time. We love the cloud, we love farming out workflow and bringing it all together for a finished project. Find out whatʼs to love about Render Rocket.

News & Views
Matchback Magic http://assistedediting.com

Guest
Ruben Perez, Render Rocket http://renderrocket.com

Episode 24 “Intro to DSLR Workflow”

admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:16:42 +0000

“Intro to DSLR” with photographer/director David Flores looks at camera options, optics, storage, software and rigs for integrating high quality DSLR content into your workflows. Host: Dan Green

Thereʼs a revolution underway in production thanks to low-cost, high-quality DSLR tools now invading the industry. New York photographer/director David Flores shares his insights and experience in integrating DSLR, from purchase to implementation in your productions. In the news, Dan canʼt wait for Redrock Microʼs microRemote.

News & Views
Redrock Micro http://redrockmicro.com

Guest
David Flores http://dflo.net

Episode 23 “Boris FX and the Future”

admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:53:47 +0000

“Boris FX and the Future” with Boris Yamnitsky, the man behind the plug-ins youʼve been using for years talks about workflow, integrating into different NLEʼs, XML, metadata integration and file portability. Host: Dan Green

If youʼve spent much time in the business, youʼve worked with effects or plug-ins from Boris FX. In this podcast, we talk with the man himself, Boris. In this candid conversation we learn about the background and offerings, but delve a little deeper into XML and metadata integration that can empower your plug-ins with more functionality and portability in the digital content environment. Informative insight from the guy whoʼs kicking out the effects youʼll be using this week and in the years to come. In the news, Arriʼs new Alexa camera and the future of optics for these new cams.

News & Views

Arri Alexa http://www.arridigital.com/alexa

Guest

Boris Yamnitsky, Boris FX http://borisfx.com/

Episode 22 “Celtx Online Media Pre-Production”

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:32:42 +0000

“Celtx Online Media Pre-Production” with Mark Kennedy, CEO of Celtx. How free or low cost screenwriting and pre-production software can streamline your workflow. From dialog to shot mapping and associating media with scenes and shots, Celtx has become a powerful tool for production companies and filmakers. Host: Dan Green

Built on an open source platform, Celtx has grown from a basic, free screenwriting tool to a useful pre-production planning tool for a/v, video and film. The app is available as a free download or through a low-cost online hosted solution. In this episode we look at the birth of Celtx, why itʼs different from Final Draft and Movie Magic, and how this program is changing workflow and saving time and money for producers, directors and DPʼs.

News & Views

Editorʼs Lounge http://editorslounge.com

Alpha Dogs http://www.4alphadogs.com

Bandito Brothers http://banditobrothers.com

Adobe Story http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/cslive/story/

Adobe OnLocation http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/onlocation/features/

Guest

Mark Kennedy, CEO Celtx http://www.celtx.com

Episode 21 - Media 100 WorkFloh

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:09:28 +0000

Media 100 WorkFloh with Floh Peters of German production group Magic Eye, integrating common sense solutions into your workflow with Media 100, and why Apple loves consumers more than pro apps.

In many cases video pros look for workflow solutions within the worlds they’re exposed to and are hesitant to go outside the comfort zone. Creative Cow moderator and production genius Floh Peters of Germany’s Magic Eye shows us simple solutions may be as close as Media 100. A common sense editing platform you many not of even heard of. The platform boasts a familiar, easy to use UI, but has some remarkably simple workflow solutions like realtime stereo multi-take voice over and advanced audio mixing for multichannel output. Duh. Why didn’t someone give us that before? Turns out Media 100 did, and there’s more. Check out some cool workflows we call “workflohs” with Floh Peters on Media 100.

If you are interested in Media 100, you can participate in a webinar on Febraury 4th, featuring a preview of the next software version with workflow-related enhancements. You can register for the webinar and download a free trial version at www.media100.com.

Apple iPad http://www.apple.com

Floh Peters, Magic Eye http://magiceye.de

How Renegade Expanded Its MPEG-2 Workflow

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:16:48 +0000

Read up on how they adapted their workflow here.

For Whom The Video Tolls: Um, Actually, It’s All Of Us

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:46:19 +0000

In the 30-plus years that I’ve been covering the video marketplace, I don’t think I’ve ever seen our industry as confused as it is now about what should, at first thought, be its simplest issue of all: how the people who create, package and distribute video programming plan to make money from it.

For Whom The Video Tolls: Um, Actually, It’s All Of Us

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:46:19 +0000

Sorenson Squeeze 6 Review

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:14:19 +0000

A huge upgrade, with many UI improvements for editors and other video pros who are not necessarily savvy compression artists when it comes to Web deliverables.

Read full article here.

Episode 20 - Jeff Malkin, Encoding.com

admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:38:14 +0000

Dan goes into “the cloud,” with Encoding.com COO Jeff Malkin in this episode. The online company specializes in simple upload, processing and download of multiple ﬁle types you choose for any source ﬁle. Itʼs a new age in media, and Encoding.com helps you ﬁt square pegs into round holes easily.

Jeff Malkin is a serial entrepreneur with a background in launching tech startups. Heʼs worked on Razz.com, freesamples.com and puts his music degree from Michigan to work in his spare time in San Francisco.

Sonyʼs NXCAM http://www.sony.com/nxcam

Guest
Jeff Malkin, COO, Encoding.com http://encoding.com

Studio Daily Blog: RED Delivers Scarlet Announcement and Then Some

admin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:13:56 +0000

Love Red? What about Scarlet?

Studio Daily Blog Â» RED Delivers Scarlet Announcement and Then Some

Posted using ShareThis

Boris XML Transfer Between FCP and AE

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:45:20 +0000

Just got my copy of Creative Cow and was excited to see this listed in their industry news section.

“XML Transfer is an After Effects plug-in designed for seamless transfer of Apple Final Cut Pro program sequences to Adobe After Effects, preserving all effects, audio, media clips, transitions, and geometric transformations.” Here is the press release from the beginning of the month http://news.creativecow.net/story/86284 or read more on page 44 of this months Non-linear Creativity Issue.

Rethinking Interactive TV Measurement

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:45:40 +0000

A very interesting article. Looks like somebody’s workflow will be changing soon …

NLE workflow, formats, and more

admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:49:23 +0000

“Nonlinear editing systems have been a standard element of video postproduction for more than a decade. But just as there are stock Fords and chopped hot rods in the automotive realm, today’s post scene features both stock edit suites and one-of-a-kind custom NLE solutions.” Source: DV

http://www.dv.com/article/89020

GridIron Flow

admin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:14:15 +0000

It’s all about workflow with GridIron Flow - see all project files on your computer and how they are related. Check out this blog post and all product information here.

Episode 19 - Final Cut Fiesta; Server and Seven

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:35:08 +0000

Jason Perr from MacHarmony talks upgrades to Final Cut Server and Final Cut Pro in the episode dedicated to Apple upgrades and archives. Dan taps Jasonʼs vast knowledge on new features and workﬂows for Final Cut. Host: Dan Green

Jason Perr is a partner and Sr. systems engineer with Manhattan Beach, CA based MacHarmony. An Apple Certiﬁed Instructor for Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Server, he also holds AVID and Xsan certiﬁcations. Jason has a strong background in feature ﬁlm business and television broadcast studio engineering.

News & Views
Snow Leopard http://www.apple.com/macosx

Guest
Jason Perr, MacHarmony http://macharmony.com

Glee has a serious workflow

admin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:25:03 +0000

Scroll down a bit on this article to read about Glee’s killer workflow. Now, you don’t have just the music to envy but the production too.

From Avid to Final Cut and Back Again for Ellen

admin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:15:40 +0000

Talk about workflow! Check out this article about the post team over at the Ellen show. Very cool. Also follow Ellen on Twitter - she’s quite entertaining and gives away some great prizes @theellenshow

Tracker Prods Picks JVC GY-HM100 For Location Shooting

admin — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:44:24 +0000

“Tracker Productions, a video production company in Banff, Alberta, Canada, is using the JVC GY-HM100 ProHD camcorder to shoot spectacular 1080p HD footage of the Canadian Rockies for promotional, corporate and travel videos. Cascading waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, serene lakes and animals in their natural habitats are among the majestic scenes captured with breathtaking clarity by cinematographer and Tracker Productions owner Les McDonald.” Read the rest of the article here.

Coraline Director, Henry Selick, Leaves Laika Studios

admin — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:31:57 +0000

“Talk about a major free agent. Henry Selick, the acclaimed director of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is leaving Laika, the studio behind his latest success, ‘Coraline.’ ”

Source:

http://www.collider.com/2009/10/06/coraline-director-henry-selick-leaves-laika/

Avid, Sorenson Media Partnership Makes Editing-to-Publishing Seamless

admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:10:37 +0000

Check out this article from Creative Cow yesterday - http://news.creativecow.net/story/862659

Episode 18 - Red Rules with Noah Kadner

admin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:41:57 +0000

Noah Kadner helps us unravel the mysteries of the Red camera. What is Red? What makes it so great? And will it work in your workflow? Find out with Noah Kadner.

Dan talks about Noah’s book “RED: The Ultimate Guide to Using the Revolutionary Camera” written for Peachpit Press.

A little background on Noah. He has directed several short films, commercials and music videos. He also works as a DVD authoring specialist. Clients he has worked with include the U.S. Army, United Nations, NBC, Sony, and FOX.

Kadner also administers several online film making forums including Withoutabox, 2-pop, Creative Cow and DVXuser.com. Along with the forums he also writes for movie industry magazines like Videography and American Cinematographer. Noah wrote the cover stories for Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull for American Cinematographer.

Call Box, Noah’s training video site:
http://www.callboxlive.com/

Homepage for RED: The Ultimate Guide to Using the Revolutionary Camera:
http://www.peachpit.com/red

Noah on twitter:
http://twitter.com/noefresh

Junk of the Week: Io Express, please visit http://www.aja.com

Way to go, Image Engine

admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:31:31 +0000

Image Engine, visual effects team for new film, District 9, gets a huge pat on the back for a job well done. Take a closer read here.

The Palm Pixi

admin — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:05:51 +0000

Engadget does a full run down of all the flashy Palm Pixi features. Eat your heart out Apple! (Just kidding, we LOVE you Apple)

Award-Winning NEXTO NVS2500 Storage Device Ships

admin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:27:04 +0000

From the makers at NEXTO DI comes the NEXTO NVS2500 Video Storage Pro, a new portable storage device featuring an LCD screen to actually preview footage, Sony SxS and Panasonic P2 compatibility, USB-OTG, an internal free-fall sensor, and extremely fast backup. This new device received DV magazine’s Black Diamond Award when it was first announced at the 2009 National Association of Broadcasters Show. Like its predecessors, the NVS2500 Video Storage Pro — or VS Pro — is a reliable, easy-to-use and extremely fast backup solution for when you are in the field or on location. It can back-up hundreds of hours of raw footage from hard drive camcorders, including high-definition, via USB or memory card so you do not need your laptop. You can back-up OTG (On-The-Go) wherever you are. But, what makes VS Pro stand out from all the rest is that it is the first licensed storage device to backup directly from a Sony SxS memory card. Users simply insert their SxS card into its designated slot in the hard drive and backup their footage. The device also works with Panasonic’s P2 and P2E cards (using an adaptor), Ikegami GFPAK via USB and all standard memory cards.

“When the marketing director at NEXTO DI told us about this new model they wanted us to launch in the U.S., we were all very excited because aside from what Sony and Panasonic makes for its products, there’s nothing else on the market that can backup directly from a Sony SxS card or a Panasonic P2 card,” says Doug Pircher, the general manager at International Supplies, distributor of the VS Pro. “The VS Pro also has so many new features that really addresses the needs of our customers. They want speed, convenience, reliability, efficiency and peace of mind, and the VS Pro offers all that and more.”

NEXTO’s VS Pro uses patented technology, called X-Copy, to give users the fastest backup speed possible. The VS Pro can backup an SxS card at an average speed of 80 MB/s; whereas the average backup speed of an SxS card using an SxS card reader and a laptop is about 20MB/s. So with the VS Pro, it would only take 3.4 minutes to backup a 16 GB SxS card compared to the 13.7 minutes it would take if you were to use a laptop with a 20 MB/s transfer speed. The maximum transfer speed of an SxS card is 100MB/s. Meanwhile, the average backup speed of P2 cards is 56MB/s, and 70MB/s for P2E cards. The VS Pro also features an eSATA, USB 2.0 and FireWire interface for fast transfer speed to and from the computer, which is ideal when downloading hours of raw footage.

In addition, the VS Pro allows users to preview their video footage via its 2.4″ Color LCD screen. The VS Pro supports video formats from a number of video products including XDCAM (XDCAM MPEG2 4:2:0), P2CAM (AVC-INTRA, DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO 50, DVCPRO), Sony HVR Series (HDV, DV, AVI), Ikegami GFPAK (MPEG2 4:2:2), and Convergent Design (MPEG2 4:2:2). It also features a multiple backup function so when you insert a memory card into the device, you can backup simultaneously to the built-in hard drive and to an external hard drive, which can be connected to the VS Pro using a USB cable.

Another revolutionary feature is its internal free-fall sensor so in the event that you accidentally drop the device, it will automatically lock the data on the hard drive the second you drop it so you will not lose any footage. It also has internal shock absorbers to further ensure that your information will stay safe. The device automatically checks the integrity of your footage bit by bit to ensure 100% backup success. It will verify when backup is complete and if something is wrong with the video or file, you would know immediately. It will also notify you if the memory card is corrupt or if the hard drive is faulty.

The VS Pro can store all types of files from video footage to photos, data, music, movies and games, so it can easily serve as an external hard drive for backup at home or work. It is compatible with PC, MAC and UNIX. It is also so compact and lightweight, it fits in the palm of your hand so you can conveniently take your raw footage with you wherever you go.

The NEXTO Video Storage Pro will be available in 320 GB and 500 GB so you get to choose the capacity that best fits your specific storage needs. Prices start at $1,850. It is also forward compatible to 2TB if desired. The device comes with a two year warranty, a shock protection rubber jacket, USB cable, eSATA cable, FireWire cable, an extra AA battery holder, a car charger, and an AC adaptor. Auxiliary batteries are sold separately. For more information on NEXTO Video Storage Pro NVS2500, visit www.nextodiusa.com.

Source

GenArts Expands Sapphire Licensing Options to Include Floating Licenses

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:59:19 +0000

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—August 25, 2009—GenArts Inc., the premier provider of specialized visual effects software for the film, television and video industries, announced today a floating licensing option for
institutional users of GenArts Sapphire™ on After Effects and Final Cut Pro host systems. The eagerly awaited floating license option offers significant flexibility, along with reduced support costs and more efficient resource allocation. The new floating license option – supported via the Reprise License Manager (RLM) – allows customers to maintain licenses on a centralized server and “check them in and out” to users on a local area network as they are needed. This new Sapphire licensing option provides the following benefits:

Lower support costs. Since licenses can be seamlessly moved from one machine to another, managing licenses is far easier and machine downtime is minimized.
Greater flexibility. Customers can now easily support the dynamic requirements of freelance and temporary artists.
Efficient resource allocation. Customers can gain visibility into artist usage patterns and budget license purchases as their concurrency needs grow.

“GenArts Sapphire’s new floating license option is essential in helping us keep our artist productivity high and our support costs low,” said Saker Klippsten, Head of Engineering, Zoic Studios. “If a machine fails, we can have another one up and licensed immediately, keeping our artists working. In addition, floating licenses allow us to easily configure temporary workstations for freelance artists as they come and go. This new licensing option really saves us money while giving us much more freedom.”

“Post-production houses rely on GenArts Sapphire every single day to ensure stellar visual effects results in feature films, commercials and television shows”, said Steve Bannerman, CMO of GenArts. “Our new floating license option comes as a result of our continuing efforts to listen to our customers and deliver Sapphire in all the ways that meet their needs. We realize that our customers’ businesses have changed and larger facilities need flexible options for keeping costs low and productivity high. Whether it’s floating licenses, rentals or Web-activated serial numbers, GenArts delivers.

GenArts Sapphire’s new floating license option is available to users of After Effects and Final Cut Pro host systems for $2,499. However, existing customers may upgrade their current Web-activated licenses to floating for $800 per license. Customers may have any combination of floating, rental and serial numbers. For more information, see genarts.com/product/sapphire/float

Source

The Foundry Releases RollingShutter Plug-in for CMOS Artifacts

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:55:19 +0000

Earlier this year, HD Studio reported on The Foundry’s experiments with technology that would remove the rolling-shutter artifacts often associated with images captured by CMOS sensors. The procedure was expected to help shore up the performance of The Foundry’s motion-tracking VFX software, which could be stymied by the appearance of wobbly CMOS artifacts, but response to early technology demos at NAB was so strong that the company quickly worked up RollingShutter ($500), a new plug-in for After Effects CS3/CS4 and Nuke 5.1 or later. Rolling-shutter artifacts occur because CMOS chips don’t update an entire frame at exactly the same time. The image is captured line by line, moving across the sensor in one direction, meaning that the picture may suffer from temporal artifacts. For example, a straight horizontal line may appear skewed as the camera pans past it, since the camera has actually swiveled some distance between the time that the top lines in the frame were captured and the time that the bottom lines are recorded. The effect can be seen to varying degrees on everything from cheap cell phone cameras to footage captured with pro cameras.

The Foundry’s RollingShutter plug-in aims to remove or minimize the effect, correcting skewing and distortion in a given scene by correcting the motion of individual objects in the frame. Frustrated cinematographers may be interested in running their footage through the software, but it’s really geared to VFX artists who need to remove those artifacts in order to effectively track motion in CMOS footage. Interested? If you want a copy, it may be best to buy it now — through August 31, The Foundry is running a buy-one-get-one-free RollingShutter sale. With two copies, you can use one in After Effects and one in Nuke, or one on a workstation and one on a laptop. For more information: www.thefoundry.co.uk

Source

Panasonic Makes the HPX300 a Studio Camera

admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:20:09 +0000

Following up on a promise made when it announced the $10,700 AG-HPX300 P2 camcorder in February of this year, Panasonic last week revealed details of its new Camcorder Studio System, which is slated to ship in October in several configurations that make the HPX300 and other P2 HD and DVCPRO HD camcorders studio-ready, starting at $9,900. The basic configuration, the 300Studio package, includes the AG-CA300G camera adapter, the AG-BS300 base station, and the AG-EC4G remote control. The upgraded 300StudioPlus package ($12,080) includes a better remote control, the AJ-RC10. The P2 Studio package ($10,898) includes a viewfinder interface box to display return video in the viewfinder. The P2 Studio Plus upgraded to the advanced AJ-RC10 remote is $13,078.

The base station connects to the camera adapter via BNC cables and power cable (supplying up to 70w of power), and has two HD-SDI/SDI and one composite video output. Cables are available in lengths of 164 feet and 328 feet. The lightweight camera adapter mounts directly on the back of the camera and is compatible with an optional battery plate for users who need on-board power. The AG-EC4G control unit comes with a 32-foot control cable (and will work with a longer, 164-foot cable). Panasonic says its functions include: gain up/down, output camera/bar selection (linked to auto knee), white balance A/B/Preset selection, AWB/ABB execution, shutter SS/Fix/Off selection and speed setting, iris auto/manual selection and adjustment, master pedestal, painting, camera menu operation, recorder operation (Rec/Play/FF/Rew/Rec check) and three programmable user buttons. Camera settings can be saved to SD cards and loaded on other cameras. Source

Post|Production World Conference

admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:17:28 +0000

Saturday, April 18 - Wednesday, April 22

The world’s leading training event for professionals in the TV, video, film, motion graphics, new media, animation, and web development industries. In its sixth year, the PPWC offers 5 full days of sessions
in 11 parallel training halls and includes 230 unique sessions focusing on the latest techniques and practices for producers, directors, editors, designers and new media professionals. Presenters at PPWC include more than 100 of the world’s best certified instructors, award-winning editors and power users. This year, with one Full Pass, attendees may move freely between all the tracks and attend sessions of their choice (unique registration required for Apple and Avid certification classes). More info.

Post|Production World Conference

admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:17:28 +0000

Saturday, April 18 - Wednesday, April 22