Posts Tagged ‘editing’

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One big sigh: video editing success

November 9, 2008

I have finally gotten my video editing to work!  Hallelujah!  Ha ha ha!

History

Alright, here’s the story: I’ve been trying to get my video editing workflow down for a long time now, nearly a year since I got more serious about it.

For some years now I have played with video editing very little, but have enjoyed making short films with family.

December 2007 I purchased the Adobe Video Collection (2003) from a friend to use for my personal video projects and to edit something to DVD (Miracle In Gansu play to DVD.)  But after nearly a year I still have not gotten the project done due to a lack of knowledge and to my royal procrastination skills. 🙂

During this time I tried to get Adobe Premiere Pro 1.0 to work for my video editing tasks, but for the  majority of it I was unsuccessful.  The only successful project that I produced from it was DuelMind, a short film for the 24 Hour Christian Film Contest (however, I was unable to enter my film into the contest because I had never used YouTube before and did not realize that the file size of my video was way too big.  The next day a friend of mine gave me some advice which solved my problem – but the deadline had passed and it was too late.)  And even with that project I think the audio and video were getting out of sync.  😦

I will let you know: a/v out of sync has been my greatest technical video editing “curse.” 😀

I have tried to get Cinelerra to work, (actually the link goes to the CV version, whereas I may have been trying to get the official release to work,) but I was not successful with that.  I have seen Kino, touched Avidemux, tasted VirtualDub, and used Windows Movie Maker.  The latter program was the one I used the most, especially before I got the Adobe Video Collection.  Simply put: It worked.  But to use who are artistically inclined or professionally minded, it just isn’t enough.

I saved up for a camcorder and purchased the JVC Everio GZ-HD7.  The .tod file type (video container) posed a big problem, though, and for long time I was stumped (and frustrated.)  Multiple times I have considered selling the camera and getting a MiniDV SD camcorder.  But in a way I am glad I didn’t, because the Everio can get some sweet footage, and the fact that I couldn’t edit my video like I wanted to drove to new measures to discover the answer to my problems.

Eventually I decided to give the CyberLink BD Solution software a try (it came packaged with my camcorder.)  Surprisingly enough it worked, and it has been quite useful to get some DVD projects done.  I am planning on using it very soon to get another DVD project done.  I edited the Dr. Narendra Singh – 2008 Interview with PowerProducer Express.  Simple editing features are available, like splitting (cutting) video.  You can also use a range of video transitions inbetween video clips – but I only ended up using a few of them, like Fade and Burn.

Now this is where the history gets a little blurry… at some time I tried Blender’s VSE (Video Sequence Editor) to try to do my video editing, but I still had trouble with the audio/video being out of sync – and I couldn’t figure out how to export my video with the audio!

So the days passed, and my years waned… no, that bad. 😉  But one day someone heard my call, a man by the name of Rob Scott.  He had been working on something called BlenderAVC and kindly let me know about it by commenting to one of my posts here on the Minosa Films blog.  That’s where it really started.  From there I tried to get BlenderAVC to work.  I filmed with a few different settings and gave Rob some of my .tod files to work with.  Rob Scott’s BunnyHopHop workflow is very useful as well.  But BlenderAVC still wasn’t working for me.

I finally got a project to work in Blender’s VSE, the audio and video being in sync!  However, I won’t likely need to edit that project.

So, time passed…

Conclusion

But just today I downloaded the most recent version of BlenderAVC – BlenderAVC 0.7!  I can import my .tod files and it works fine!  But I still had trouble with my audio and video being out of sync.  I wrote some e-mails to Rob Scott asking for advice, but I didn’t need to… read on. 🙂  I noticed that Zelgadis (leader of the Morevna Project) was online, so I started IMing him.  He suggested I change the FPS on my file and so, after some tweaking, I reported back to him with a OK, it’s official.  You the man!” victory cry that it had worked.

BlenderAVC 0.7 - screenshot of successfully some synced audio and video (see the last two strips)

BlenderAVC 0.7 - screenshot of some successfully synced audio and video (see the last two strips)

So, praise the Lord!  One of my biggest video editing hurdles has been removed.  With further testing I hope that I wll be able to consistently repeat this successful outcome and get the rest of the workflow down pat.

I have not yet realized how great this is… if it really is true.  Maybe I will be glad tomorrow?  😀 Ahead of me lies the journey of actually learning what “video editing” really is!  Whew… this is very good.

So, I guess that’s about all.  I hope your journey is as exciting as mine – no, WAY more exciting!

One big sigh: Whew, video editing success.

God bless, friends, and may your journey be bright,
Best wishes,

-b

P.S. So a big PRAISE THE LORD!!! 😀

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Not sure what to write…

September 28, 2008

Not sure what to write, so here’s some news:

I’m now part of the Morevna Project team. I don’t know all that I’ll be contributing at this point, but I definitely want to get better at my manga (anime) drawing!
The Morevna Project wiki on Synfig.org

Still haven’t resolved all my software (editing) issues. I have been sidetracked on that. Also have a hardware need.

I hope to edit a film some friends and I worked on together. It’s not a Minosa Films production per se, but it will really help me to learn my editing and test out whether or not I really can or cannot edit (at least with this workflow…) And besides that, I will get part one of a film done, gain skills, and make my friends really happy! ;D

Production Plan:

Title Status Scheduled Shoot About
Is This Love? WIP N/A A (very) short film depicting the true sacrifice of love
Family First >Some work has been done N/A A lovely drama short film about a father/daughter turmoil and resolution
Promo
WIP Optional moon shot done
Minosa Films’ very own promotion video!

Hope to get this all worked out… glad for possibilities, wishing for resolutions…

Also, we now have a production forum of sorts.  Check it out here.

Create an account and start posting!  Some sections in this category (of the forum) may eventually be locked for Minosa Films users only – that is, those who I give the password to.

Aaanyhow, thanks for all, and your prayers especially,

We’re gonna make it together!

-b

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Pendulum upon the precipice

September 20, 2008

I am not sure what is ahead.  Every step is a new direction – all feet set forward upon one path, each stride turning upon a seperate trail: my interests split, my concentration fractioned, my hope dispelled.

Regathering my wit and course, I set once more for my goal – but swirve all too soon upon some spurious idea that has tinged my curiousity to the point of action.  And alas, I am left bare of results once again.

But the tide does not always carry me this way, nor the wind press my path in such a scurried manner – it is I, unsure of my future, who takes on every new legend and occupation that could hap fall upon someone seeking a victorious conquest.  Unwise, yes.  Nieve, perhaps.  Who I am, yes.

So here I am, still trying to figure out video editing with a limited budget and waning time – my friends I hope have not found lack in my progress, though most likely their hearts are ticking on as the clock’s pendelum swings back and forth, each moment bringing full tide of another hour and two days.

But here I am, yet I stand, endeavoring to conquer.

And perhaps I will.

-b

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Stalemate – well, sort of

September 17, 2008

I’ve run into a stalemate of sorts due to hardware limitations.  It’s better than it could be, but a solution will need to be found before I can absentmindedly run ahead with this video editing business.

So, anyhow, I ask for your prayers in this matter and that God would provide for what I need.

Thanks for listening and sticking in there with me!

Working on various video editing things, trying to get my workflow going, working toward a Minosa Films demo video… whooo!  See ya,

-b

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Swirling in the Oceano

September 6, 2008

I am unsure what path my future will take… where will I go, what will I do?  My camcorder/editing situation is not at it’s brightest, and I am heavily considering returning the camcorder, the JVC Everio GZ-HD7, because it shoots to HD and saves to .tod.   Premiere Pro 1.0, my current NLE, is less than desirable as well, because I have had a/v out of sync troubles with it.  Who knows what will be the solution?  God does.

A friend recommended this camera (the friend was joking btw,)

Check out the RED camera:
http://www.red.com/cameras

I have looked into Final Cut Pro as well, (or Final Cut Studio,) and it looks promising.  But I have not done all my research.  I am pretty sure I can convert my files through Cyberlink BD solution, with PowerDirector, to FullHD, HD SP, or SD (720×480.)  So, converting with HD is possible, but editing is still a problem.  So, the different problems stack on eachother and the tower of cards falls again and again as I pull out a card from the below.

So, with all these options, ideas, hopes, possibilities – my future – and other’s desires, I am swirling in an ocean of choices, hoping to find my way out.  Oh God, send an albatross.

Who knows what will happen next?  I ask for your prayer, and I look foward to the days when I will be holding the camcorder in hand, acting and filming with others, editing, premiering, posting…

God bless and thanks for listening.

-b

P.S. I do not ask for sympathy.  I do not ask for donations.  I do not require your help.  I humbly request prayer and understanding, and greatly appreciate any suggestions or ideas you have to give.  Thanks.

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Still

August 5, 2008

Still testing.  Now the video is the aspect ratio I want now (16.9.)  Just a simple setting to change in Premiere Pro 1.0.  Tried to convert to Microsoft AVI (not DV AVI this time) and it still will not play in Media Player Classic.  Perhaps I need another codec?  Oh well, we will see what happens.

Rendering (exporting) from Premiere Pro 1.0 - testing export to Microsoft AVI

Rendering (exporting) from Premiere Pro 1.0 - testing export to Microsoft AVI

Working on some film thoughts.  Listening to Kate Rusby music.

I may try out Converio (http://pagesperso-orange.fr/gilles.bihan/converio_095.htm,) try some more with Squared 5 MPEG Streamclip, and perhaps other video converters.  What NLE will I use?  For now, Premiere Pro 1.0.  No HD for now.  Use what you have to the best of your ability.  Will most likely test CBR1140 recording with the Everio to see if another method to get my files to a usable format (in this case, mpeg) will work.

Thanks for listening,

We will see what the wind brings,

God bless,

-b

P.S. Praise God!  I have been planting this blog address around in various comment boxes – YouTube, BlenderNation, Vimeo, e-mails… it may be paying off.  Here is an image of some view stats for the blog:

Minosa Films blog stats reach 80 views on 08-04-08

Minosa Films blog stats reach 80 views on 08-04-08

Praise God for everything.

P.P.S. I need to tell you what MIG (Miracle In Gansu play to DVD) is, and some more info about this blog.  We’ll leave that till later.  Till our next meeting, may God keep you.

May I grow still