Unit 21: Post-Production

Post-Production

This is a step-by-step guide to the workflow behind the post-production process.

Folder

The first step in post-production is to decide where the media will be stored. This means you will be required to create a folder on the drive you are working on (either internal or external).

You can create a new folder in your area using Finder by clicking New Folder under settings.

You should also make sure that any additional files that have not been captured through log and transfer have been included in this new folder. Otherwise, these files could be lost. These files could be taken from a DSLR, external audio recorder or downloaded from the internet.

Scratch Disks

You must remember to set scratch disks on Final Cut Pro, as this is an important part of the editing process. This dictates where any captured footage (e.g. through log and transfer) will be stored, including rendered files, waveform, cache and autosaves.

Scratch disks can be set under System Settings on Final Cut Pro.

Project and Sequence

The sequence is found on the timeline. It is the sequence of video/audio clips that you are currently working on. You can have multiple sequences within an individual project. Working with multiple sequences can be useful when crating rushes to preview footage and receive footage.

A second second sequence can be added by selecting File, New and Sequence.

Exporting Footage

In some cases, you may require your files to be in a particular format when exporting footage. This may be because the client (the viewer) wants the video for mobile content, DVD, web use or even uncompressed which allows for higher quality viewing.

Sequences can be exported by selecting File, Export and then QuickTime Movie.

When exporting footage, Final Cut Pro offers two options:

1. QuickTime Movie - A high quality compressed version of your current sequence in a .MOV file.
2. Quicktime Conversion - This allows you to choose from multiple formats, the resolution of the final version it exports, and the quality of the finished product.