MST 230: Online Media Production Two
'The Digital Producer' Readings
CHAPTER 5: Going Digital In The Field
There are a number of practices that you, as the producer, can imple-ment during the shoot which will help the editor later during post-pro-duction:
• Instruct the camera operator on the best camera settings for time-code:
• REC RUN (record run)
• DF (drop frame) or NDF (non-drop frame) for NTSC
• Use 5-second pre-roll and post-roll, if you're not using assemble edits.
• Clearly label or number each tape, and pick a clear consistent naming scheme.
Using RECORD RUN Versus FREE RUN
Timecode generators in the field provide two methods for handling continuity of timecode at a camera cut. When you edit on nonlinear editing systems, RECORD RUN (REC RUN) is the preferred type of timecode to record in the field for efficient digitizing in the edit suite.
• RECORD RUN records timecode only when the camera is run-ning. RECORD RUN is the preferred timecode setting for nonlinear editing. In this mode, timecode runs only when the camera is recording. The tape records with almost no breaks in the time-code. When you digitize your footage, the nonlinear editing sys-tem can cue the tapes and input footage in a highly automated way, saving you time and money
. • FREE RUN timecode records time of day, with timecode continu-ing to run while the camera is turned off. Some news reporters like to use FREE RUN to take timecoded notes in the field by referring to their watches. However, every time you power down the camera there is a break in timecode equal to the elapsed clocktime. FREE RUN causes problems for computerized editing systems: At each of the breaks, the editor may have to intervene in the input process to manually cue the tape for the edit, taking more time.
Using Drop Frame Versus Non-Drop Frame
-Most nonlinear editing systems work with field tapes recorded with drop frame (DF) or non-drop frame (NDF) timecode when working in NTSC (this issue does not apply to PAL projects).
Drop frame timecode performs this operation. • DF: 1 hour of TC = 1 hour of playtime • NDF: 1 hour of TC = 1 hour and 3.6 seconds of playtime
Recording Pre-roll and Post-roll
If you do use free run timecode, make sure you provide at least 5 seconds of pre-roll when you start recording, and wait another 5 sec-onds before you stop recording at the end of the shot.
Logging in the Field One of the last great holdouts of pen and paper, the field location has never lent itself easily to the charms of the word processor. Not even the electric typewriter has found a place here. Out in the field, produc-tion personnel must be light and quick and unburdened.
Production Magic's Shot Loggerª
-When it comes to field production, good things invariably come in small packages. Production Magic keeps it small by combining effec-tively designed software with an Apple Newton, the palm-sized porta-ble computer device. Shot Logger uses wireless technology to do away with cable links to the camera for recording start and stop time-codes automatically.
e-trimª from Eidria, Inc.
- e-trim is a videotape logging and machine control package for the 3Com Palm Computing platform, including licensees such as Symbol and the IBM WorkPad. e-trimª creates log files by capturing timecode values from the source via an LTC/RS-422/LANC connection. When you synchronize your PalmPilot/PalmIII with your Macintosh or Windows computer, the log is uploaded. The log file can then be converted easily into var-ious popular log file and EDL formats.
Starting a Record
• Date: Updates automatically each time you alter any of the records in the database
• File Name: Created from the first three letters of the project name, the reel number, and the record number. File names become the names of the clips digitized from the shot log
• TC IN: SMPTE timecode format based on the number in the Start Hour box and the time you enter for the IN point. Two zeroes are added for frames, rounding off time to the second.
• TC OUT: SMPTE timecode format based on the Start Hour and time you enter for the OUT point. Two zeroes are added for frames, rounding off time to the second.
• Duration: Calculated from the TC IN and TC OUT