If you shoot with DSLR, do multi-camera shoots, or shoot with
dual-system sound, you should read this article. Last year, I was hired
as the editor for a low-budget feature. I wanted to take a minute to
tell you about my experience.
On
the day the files arrived on a hard drive, I was anxious to get
started. I had just started using Final Cut Pro X. In fact, the software
was only about 3 months old, with no feature updates. So, I knew I was
going into some unexplored territory. I had done three 30 second spots
and a short film, in the new Final Cut Pro X, so although it was new, I
knew the incredible speed advantages and ease of use, it offered. So, I
knew the software was up for the challenge of editing a feature. It's
actually one of the first, if not the first feature film edited in FCPX.
So,
I started the first day importing and logging footage, which for me,
involves watching the beginning of each clip to see the Scene/Shot/Take/
and other Notes on the slate, in order to organize all the clips into
nicely-labeled scene/shot folders. In addition, when using a Dual-System
sound, (which is where sound is recorded on a separate recording device
from the video), there is the additional requirement to log (and
associate) the sound files with the Video files. On larger budget films,
there is usually a very detailed list that tells the editor what clip
belongs to which SCENE/SHOT/TAKE. But, on lower budget films you
generally have to rely on matching the slate information with the audio
slate information. For example, at the beginning of the audio clip, you
should hear: "Scene 23A, Take 2″. So, then you would label that audio
clip and put it in the associated clip Folder (inside your editor).
Under ideal circumstances, during production, you would have someone to
log which video clip file is associated with which audio file. So, in
this case I was heavily reliant on slate marker on the video and on the
audio.
To my HORROR, I had over 1000 audio clips and Video clips with NO SLATE!!
To
my HORROR, I had over 1000 audio clips and Video clips with NO SLATE!!
OK, there actually was a few, but at least 85% had no way to identify
the video clips OR a way to associate them with the corresponding audio
clips.
OK, so here is where my adventure begins. So, after running
through the house screaming in frustration, (kidding), I started the
long process of trying to match the script to the clip to log the
scene...
So, over the next few weeks, I started asking people and
searching for a better (quicker) way to match audio clips to the video
clips and to synchronize them. I finally ran into a video that talked
about this insanity, and they recommended this new software, called
Plural Eyes and it's companion product, Dual Eyes.
Plural Eyes works as a plugin inside your Editing system. (Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, Vegas, Avid, etc)
And Dual Eyes works as a stand alone product, on your desktop. But, essentially here is what I did.
I purchased and downloaded Dual Eyes. I imported ALL 1000 audio clips and ALL 1000 video clips.
I
pushed a button and... I kid you not, in a matter of a few minutes,
Dual Eyes had done, what I had spent weeks trying to do. It matched up
nearly every audio clip with a video clip!
Seriously, for me it
was like a light came down from heaven and completed this seemingly
impossible task, in a few minutes. So, since then, I have used the
product in nearly every project I've worked on. I can tell you this. I
will never be without Dual Eyes on my desktop again. It has saved me so
much time and frustration.
