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Multicam Editing with Liquid Edition 6 -
Adita's new Tutorial explains all!
Multicam editing is one of the important new features of the new breed of Liquid
Edition (6) .
Because it is a new feature, it involves procedures and processes which may not be
immediately obvious even to experienced Liquid Edition users. This dedicated tutorial
by ADITA explains it all in great detail. More, it explains the principles behind
Multicam editing, and shows, again in great detail, how to set up your shoot in preparation
for a multicam edit - a step that, if not taken, can make multicam editing a minefield
of difficulties.
This is, indeed, yet another erudite tutorial from Myron Achtman, one of the founders
of Adita, and naturally it has all the hallmarks of the others. It doesn't just explain
how to do things, but also, where applicable, why they should be done in the suggested
manner. To demonstrate the multicam editing process, Myron uses an actual four-camcorder
shoot for a wedding video, and the tutorial starts by showing how this shoot was
set up at the outset, and the actual shooting process. There is a lot to be learned
from this section of the tutorial alone, before even turning to the computer for
the edit. One Golden rule I wish I'd been privy to before my first multicam shoot
... always leave all camcorders running, even after a shot has been completed, and
even while the cam is being moved to a new position! With hindsight, that's an obvious
tip - but one that I hadn't even considered on my first multicam shoot. I sure paid
the price during the edit!
The tutorial is delivered in one video file, divided into sections that each deal
with one specific aspect of the process. By dragging the scrubber in the Windows
Media Player, it is fairly easy to locate specific sections should you wish to go
back and review a section, but I have to say, I'd rather the tutorial were broken
into a number of individual videos with a selector menu. The downside of that, of
course, is you then wouldn't be able to just sit back and watch the whole thing in
one go (about one hour 42 minutes, in all). A small niggle, which really doesn't
detract from the quality or value of the tutorial in any way,
One of the good features of the tutorial (in my opinion) is that things don't always
go right - for example there's a little bit of camera work that leaves something
to be desired during the shoot. Myron shows how these minor (?) mishaps can be overcome,
thus hammering home the advantages of planning ahead, and admirably demonstrating
related aspects of Liquid Edition's editing capabilities.
The natural - almost expected - method of capturing each camcorder's input by selecting
the Liquid Edition 'Camera number' feature is actually avoided by Myron - and he
explains why. With multicam captures using this method, the sound from only the first
camcorder in the chain is used - the others are captured sans sound. Using Myron's
method, sound is captured with video for each camcorder - which as he shows, can
prove to be invaluable during the multicam edit. He demonstrates how easy it is to
use both sound and image to sync up the material from each camcorder once all has
been captured: whilst I'm sure that the different camera numbers for captures have
a place in the great scheme of things (probably for broadcast companies), I will
definitely always be using Myron's approach to capturing.
Once captured, the editing process is covered in great detail - again, using the
wedding shoot to show how the basic edit is put together by switching shots between
cams on a multiple display, not unlike the array of monitors in a broadcast control
room. And of course, Myron shows how the initial rough cut can be tweaked to perfection
without creating sync problems.
Nothing is left out - Myron even shows how to tailor the Liquid Edition interface
in preparation for a multicam edit, and explains how to get the best from your PC
during the edit. I doubt whether there are any questions you may have that are unanswered
by this tutorial. It targets both novices at multicam editing - like me - and, with
its in depth, factual approach, hardened pro Liquid Edition users.
How does this compare with Mind Meld? Which should you choose? They are totally
different: you should get both! Mind Meld for LE6 covers the entire program - in
about 18 hours of video - and gives an excellent insight into multicam editing in
the overall scheme of things. For the minutiae of multicam editing and an explanation
of all the related aspects, the dedicated Adita Multicam tutorial covers just about
everything there is to know. Mind Meld is more relaxed, with a certain amount of
humour, whilst the Adita tutorial is delivered in the style of a University lecturer.
Both are liberally laced with tips and advice, and they complement each other. If
you're contemplating a multicam edit, get this tutorial first ... it will save you
a lot of heartache and aggravation and put you on the right footing from the start.
