Still Frames in Final Cut Pro

Sometimes you might need to create a still image from a particular frame of your video. Two possible uses could be:

• Using a still in Photoshop for your poster or review designs
• 'Freezing' on a particular frame within your film for dramatic effect

There are separate ways to do this, which saves confusion!

Exporting a still for use in Photoshop and InDesign

• First make sure the playhead is at the moment you want to capture a still from (it'll be in the Canvas window)
• Go to File>Export>Using Quicktime Conversion... [See below]

• In the dialogue box that appears, make sure to select Still Image in the Format box (see below). Click Save once you've set where its saving to!

Creating a 'Freeze Frame' in your edit

• Like above, make sure your Canvas is showing the still you want to create
• Go to Modify>Make Freeze Frame (see below)

• Your newly created freeze frame will appear in the Viewer window. Simply drag it down to the timeline to add it to your edit. It can be extended or shortened as you see fit

Fixing Out of Sync Audio

In Final Cut Pro 7, sometimes when you are working with an edit the video and audio can slip out of sync - which looks like this:

A red bar with a + or - number in indicates out of sync audio

It can be frustrating trying to get it to match up again, but there is a really simple fix built into FCP.

How To Fix It:

1. Control-Click on the red box
2. Choose 'Slip into Sync'

This will automatically fix the issue! Just be sure to double check it's worked correctly before saving the changes.

Bonus Tech Tip!:

• 'Move into Sync' is only available when there's empty space to move either the audio or video in (it's possible in my above clip because there's a gap in the audio...
• ...Whereas 'Slip into Sync' works even without empty space by moving the reference clip's 'In and Out points' appropriately. Another reason to keep your workflow managed so the reference clips are neat, tidy, and easy to find!

10,000 wax cylinders digitized and free to download

Posted Nov 8th on BoingBoing:

"The University of California at Santa Barbara library has undertaken an heroic digitization effort for its world-class archive of 19th and early 20th century wax cylinder recordings, and has placed over 10,000 songs online for anyone to download, stream and re-use."

 UCSB Cylinder Audio Archive [UCSB]

Transferring Footage from the Camera to the Computer

Follow these steps for success:

 

1. Connect the camera
2. Launch Final Cut Pro
3. Create a New Project
4. Save that Project 
5. go to File>Log and Transfer
6. screen and name your clips, add them to the queue
7. edit and export
                             JOB DONE!

Video Cameras

Sony HDR-XR550VE

Sanyo VPC-WH1EX underwater camera

Toshiba Camileo H20

Sony DHR- PJ260VE

Canon 1200D 

Sound Equipment

Speak to Matt and Sophie about borrowing sound equipment.  They're happy to discuss your project with you and make some suggestions.

Green Screen Before Computers

A great video on the history of green screen - and a reminder of just how easy it can be now! So if you have any green screen ideas, run it past Sophie or myself. It's a fantastic skill to have, especially if you plan on studying film or media at university!

Matt