Book Review - Avid Uncut - a guide for the professional video editor
06.06.2014 16:03
Avid Uncut - Workflows, Tips and Techniques from Hollywood Pros
by Steve Hullfish
Leverage the full power of Avid Media Composer with this essential guide from an Avid guru. Master timesaving tricks and techniques that utilize the latest Media Composer features and state-of-the-art workflows
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Learn the secrets of the postproduction professionals from box office blockbusters like Harry Potter, I am Legend, Dark Shadows, Men in Black II, Charlie’s Angels, 42, and The Last of the Mohicans, as well as primetime hits like SMASH, Big Bang Theory, Weeds, The Mindy Project, and MythBusters.
In Avid Uncut, Steve Hullfish taps into the expertise of the world’s top editors to share in-depth, behind-the-scenes secrets and best practices that will boost your editing and color correction skills to the next level. Five distinct sections cover:
In Avid Uncut, Steve Hullfish taps into the expertise of the world’s top editors to share in-depth, behind-the-scenes secrets and best practices that will boost your editing and color correction skills to the next level. Five distinct sections cover:
- Pre-post, including discussion of metadata, prepping ScriptSync, decomposing, and more
- Settings, with tips on keyboard optimization, bin settings, and import/export settings
- Off-line workflows on trimming, multicam editing, using Phrasefind, audio, and stereoscopic 3D
- Effects, such as 3rd party plugins, 3D warp effects, and Animatte
- On-line workflows for efficiently and beautifully finishing your work, including step-by-step tutorials for RED and ARRI Alexa workflows
Also featured are extensive tips dedicated to helping FCP editors switch over to Avid, as well as a companion website (www.focalpress.com/cw/hullfish) loaded with video tutorials of the techniques discussed in the book and project files, including RED and ARRI Alexa footage, that turn Avid Uncut into an invaluable, hands-on workshop!
ASteve Hullfish is an editor whose credits include co-editing the Sony/TriStar feature film, Courageous. His broadcast clients include The Oprah Winfrey Show, Bill Kurtis’ Investigative Reports, NBC TV’s 3-2-1 Penguins, PBS Kids, Turner Networks, FOX TV, CBN and WGN TV. He has written for American Cinematographer and DV Magazine, and is the author of (among other titles) The Art and Technique of Digital Color Correction, currently in its second edition. He also does training and consulting for some of the largest media and electronics companies in the world.
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"A great book for experienced editors of all NLEs. Hullfish wrangled an impressive number of ‘A list’ editors who provided incredible insight into the specific ways that Media Composer empowers them. It makes a great read for those who wish to maximize their creativity and efficiency in editing."
- Ben Kozuch, Co-Founder, Future Media Concepts
"Like Hullfish's Color Correction for Video, Avid Uncut should sit on the shelf as a reference in every Avid suite. Condensing years of experience and real-world examples, Avid Uncut is easy to read yet packed full of tips, tricks and powerful time-saving Avid features. So whether you're a newbie needing to learn the ropes or a seasoned professional wanting to get up to speed on modern workflows and tools fast, this book is a must-have."
- Ra-ey Saleh, Senior On-line Editor/Colorist, MythBusters; Taboo; Hidden in America
"Avid Uncut is one of the most comprehensive Avid Media Composer training manuals I’ve seen. Hullfish has years of Avid experience and is well-respected for covering some of the lesser known tips that make a Media Composer more productive. This book is no exception, covering not only software features, but numerous workflows. Plus, the reader gets to hear from top television and film editors throughout the chapters for glimpses at their creative solutions. Hullfish isn’t afraid to include informative explanations of some of the lesser covered features, like ScriptSync, the Marquee titler and more, that other writers usually skip. Avid Uncut is a great handbook for editors moving over from other software, but even experienced Media Composer editors will be surprised at how much they’ll pick up."
- Oliver Peters, Editor/Colorist, Oliver Peters Post Production Services, digitalfilms.wordpress.com
"Over the years, Kathlyn and I have worked with many of the most respected Avid editors in the world, people who have edited some of the top-ranked movies and television shows in the market today. Among these prolific and respected editors, Steve Hullfish is often named as their go-to expert when they want to learn the Avid and master its many powers and nuances. You aren't going to master the Avid overnight but with Steve Hullfish showing you the way, you will learn its powers and maximize the workflow that makes the Avid the industry leader in high-end professional editing circles. If you are looking to excel in your understanding of Avid Media Composer, you have picked up the right book."
- Ronald & Kathlyn Lindeboom, Founders, CreativeCOW.net
"In today's adapt-or-die climate of non-linear editing, Avid Uncut is pre-requisite reading for every editor who needs to be relevant with complex file-based editing processes. The fact that this important book was organized with a creative mindset and written conversationally with commentary from the world’s best editors also makes it a fun read."
- Mitch Jacobson, Author, Mastering Multicamera Techniques (Focal Press 2010)
- Settings, with tips on keyboard optimization, bin settings, and import/export settings
- Off-line workflows on trimming, multicam editing, using Phrasefind, audio, and stereoscopic 3D
- Effects, such as 3rd party plugins, 3D warp effects, and Animatte
- On-line workflows for efficiently and beautifully finishing your work, including step-by-step tutorials for RED and ARRI Alexa workflows
About the Author
Steve Hullfish is an editor whose credits include co-editing the Sony/TriStar feature film, Courageous. His broadcast clients include The Oprah Winfrey Show, Bill Kurtis’ Investigative Reports, NBC TV’s 3-2-1 Penguins, PBS Kids, Turner Networks, FOX TV, CBN and WGN TV. He has written for American Cinematographer and DV Magazine, and is the author of (among other titles) The Art and Technique of Digital Color Correction, currently in its second edition. He also does training and consulting for some of the largest media and electronics companies in the world.
Also featured are extensive tips dedicated to helping FCP editors switch over to Avid, as well as a companion website (www.focalpress.com/cw/hullfish) loaded with video tutorials of the techniques discussed in the book and project files, including RED and ARRI Alexa footage, that turn Avid Uncut into an invaluable, hands-on workshop!
