Avid Screencast

By Christian Foerster

Arts Technology TV & Film Visual Arts Software How-To

What's Avid Screencast about?

Avid Tutorials Podcast: Improve your skills with Avid Media Composer, XPress or Symphony with this weekly podcast! (SD version)

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Avid Screencast episodes:

03.06.2011
ASC #53: Split Toning
If you're familiar with Lightroom, you know what Split Toning is: pushing the shadows and highlights of a shot towards different hues. Who said it can't be done in Media Composer? No one? I didn't think so. SHOW NOTES Check out the blog...
12.23.2010
ASC #52: Let It Snow!
It's almost Christmas and I did the Santa last year. What's left? Snow! So this week, we're going to add snow to an image and we'll use a couple of advanced options to make it look ab bit more real (or...
12.21.2010
Special Announcement
Starting January 1st, I'll have a new job. While that's a good thing, it also means a lot more work. So more work plus wanting to spend time with my family now and again means less time for the podcast. Right...
12.16.2010
ASC #51: Animated Video Playbar with Marquee - Part II
This week, we'll continue creating a semi-transparent video progress bar as you know them from Youtube et. al. Last week, we created the background elements in Marquee, this week, we'll create the remaining elements and then animate them in Media Composer. SHOW...
12.09.2010
ASC #50: Animated Video Playbar with Marquee - Part I
This week and next, we'll create a semi-transparent video progress bar as you know them from Youtube et. al. We'll create the elements in Marquee, then (next week) animate in Media Composer. The cool thing about this approach is that you'll...
12.02.2010
ASC #49: Sports Trailer Look
This week, another viewer suggestion: We'll create the high-contrast, saturated look that is common to many sports trailers. We'll also play around with BCC's Glow and add some flicker to the shots. SHOW NOTES Vlad Video: The Stars (Original Clip) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O3vOnyOEmU Music: Torley on Piano...
11.25.2010
ASC #48: Surveillance Camera Effect
This week, we'll make footage look like it has been shot with a surveillance camera by distorting and degrading it. Plus, when we switch "cameras", we'll make the image break up for just a fraction of a second. SHOW NOTES If you...
11.19.2010
ASC #47: Audio Basics VII - Audio Effects
In this last episode in the audio series, I'll show you how to apply audio effects in Media Composer and a couple of neat real-world tips (like limiting you master output) that will hopefully help you out one day or...
11.11.2010
ASC #46: Audio Basics VI - Equalizer
This week, we'll look into Avid's EQ Tool. It's pretty basic (look for more powerful EQs in the AudioSuite), so'll we'll cover what it can and can't do. Also: Build your own EQ preset into the Presets of the EQ's fast...
10.28.2010
ASC #45: Audio Basics V - Audio Keyframes
There's more than one way to manipulate audio in Media Composer (no surprise there, there's more than one way to do pretty much anything in MC). So this week, we'll explore Automation Gain, more often referred to as Audio Keyframes. You'll...
10.21.2010
ASC #44: Audio Basics IV - Audio Mixer
In the fourth installment on our series on audio, we'll take an in-depth look at the audio mixer, going through all options that are available to you to adjust multiple segments at a time. SHOW NOTES Check out the blog entry for...
10.14.2010
ASC #43: Audio Basics III - Very Basic Editing
This week, we'll make some very simple audio edits, create transitions, check out waveforms and get rid of those horrid pops that are sometimes created by audio edits. This is actually the first part of a show that was to include...
10.07.2010
ASC #42: Audio Basics II - Stereo Tracks
This week's episode is all about stereo tracks: How to create them, how to get stuff into them, how to get rid of them again when the ugly beast named Compatibility rears its ugly head. Plus: Find out how to make...
10.01.2010
ASC #41: Audio Basics I - Settings, Settings, Settings
I was asked by a lot of people to do tutorials on audio editing, so this week I'll start a series on exactly that. This first episode deals with the various audio settings in Media Composer - it's a bit dry,...
09.23.2010
ASC #40: Garbage Matte for Secondary Color Correction
So you want to change the skin tones in a shot by doing a secondary color correction. You're using the methods outlined in ASC #16 (and of course, they work incredibly well!), but there's that nasty balloon in the shot...
09.16.2010
ASC #39: Nesting Effects
The way Media Composer processes effects has some weird side-effects: Sometimes an effect applied to an upper video track also affects the video tracks below -- whether you intended that or not. So this week we'll take control over that issue...
07.22.2010
ASC #38: BCC Pan & Zoom
After last week's look into Avid's Pan & Zoom effect, this week we check out the Pan & Zoom effect that is included in Boris Continuum Complete 5 and later. It's a great effect that is incredibly easy to use, and...
07.16.2010
ASC #37: Avid Pan & Zoom
I've had several requests for tutorials on Pan and Zoom, so this week and next, this will be out topic. This week, we'll look into Avid's own Pan & Zoom effect. It is used to, well, pan and zoom into images...
07.08.2010
ASC #36: AMA with Red and Quicktime Files
With Media Composer 5, you can access Quicktime and R3D files natively using AMA (provided you have the horsepower). In this episode, I'll show you how to link to AMA volumes, change the R3D source settings (such as ISO, color temperature...
07.01.2010
ASC #35: Media Composer 5 Introduction
I'm finally on Media Composer 5, so in this week's episode, I'll introduce you to the most obvious new features such as the Smart Tools, Realtime Audio Effects, the new Interface and some new Keyboard Shortcuts. There are a lot of...
06.24.2010
ASC #34: Film Flash
I was asked if it was possible to get the Glow Effect without Boris Continuum Complete. Had I been a smart-ass, I would have replied: "Sure, buy Sapphire!" But I'm trying not to be, so I came up with something that...
06.18.2010
ASC #33: Safe Color Limiter
Nothing fancy, but a solid workhorse: Want to make sure that your sequence is complying with technical broadcast standards? The Safe Color Limiter Effect is your friend. SHOW NOTES Check out the blog enry for this week's episode: http://avidscreencast.com/asc33 Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/avidscreencast Become a...
06.10.2010
ASC #32: Blurring into / out of a Title
In this episode, we'll transition into a title by starting with a blur and then slowly letting it focus. To do this we'll have to look into how titles actually work, redoing it as a simple Matte Key and then manipulating...
06.03.2010
ASC #31: Curtain Transition
This week's episode features a request from Youtube user Instantslugger, who wanted to know how to do a curtain transition within Media Composer. Turns out it's not that hard. We'll do it using Avid's Paint effect and a Matte Key, plus...
05.27.2010
ASC #30: Audio Timewarp
Everybody knows the Timewarp only applies to video. But what if you want to change the speed of your audio as well? In this episode, we'll do just that with the help of a couple of different AudioSuite plugins that come...
05.20.2010
No ASC this week: Console Commands
No show this week, so I thought I'd give you some food for thought. Paul Sampson created a great document listing a bunch of useful Avid Console commands. (You find the console under Tools. But if you didn't know about...
05.13.2010
ASC #29: Glow Transition
In this episode, we'll create a nice Glow transition using a Boris Continuum Complete Effect that ships with Media Composer. SHOW NOTES Check out the blog enry for this week's episode: http://avidscreencast.com/asc29 Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/avidscreencast Become a fan on the Avid Screencast on Facebook: http://facebook.com/avidscreencast
05.06.2010
ASC #28: Color Correction Basics VII - Vignettes and Wrap-Up
In the final installment of the Color Correction series, we'll highlight parts of a shot by using a vignette. Then, I'll go through some Color Correction options that I hadnn't mentioned in previous episodes. SHOW NOTES If you really want to learn about...
04.29.2010
ASC #27: Color Correction Basics VI - Matching Two Shots Part II
In this episode, we'll continue matching one shot to another. We'll do it manually, and we'll use Avid's curves. SHOW NOTES If you really want to learn about color correction, I strongly recommend Steve Hullfish's "The Art and Technique of Digital Color...
04.22.2010
ASC #26: Color Correction Basics V - Matching Two Shots Part I
One of the most common tasks when doing color correction is matching two shots. So this week and next, we'll do exactly that. As always, I like working with the curves in Avid, but you should be able to use the...
04.15.2010
ASC #25: Color Correction Basics IV - Manipulating Color Balance with Color Wheels
In last week's episode, we chnaged the color balance of a shot with curves. This week we'll do the same thing with the color wheels. SHOW NOTES If you really want to learn about color correction, I strongly recommend Steve Hullfish's "The...
04.08.2010
ASC #24: Color Correction Basics III - Manipulating Color Balance with Curves
In this episode, we'll severely change the white balance of an image to correct an underexposed, wrongly balanced clip and make it look decent. We'll use the curves in Avid's Color Correction to do it. SHOW NOTES If you really want to learn...
04.01.2010
ASC #23: Color Correction Basics II - Manipulating Contrast
In this episode, we'll manipuate the basic contrast of an image, setting the black and white levels and gamma. We'll do this in two different ways: First by using the Setup, Gain and Gamma controls, then by using curves. SHOW NOTES If you...
03.25.2010
ASC #22: Color Correction Basics I - Laying the Groundwork
In this episode, we'll lay the groundwork for episodes to come, talking about scopes, what they mean and why you should always pay attention to them. Plus: Everyone who uses the Brightness and Contrast controls should seriously consider changing his profession. SHOW...
03.11.2010
ASC #21: Tackling the Timewarp II
In this episode, we'll continue our deep-dive into one of the most powerful and most-used effects in Avid: The Timewarp. We'll cover the following basics in this episode: manipulating the Position Graph, rebuilding presets on your own, Default Render Settings. Check out...
03.11.2010
ASC #20: Tackling the Timewarp I
In this episode, we'll deep-dive into one of the most powerful and most-used effects in Avid: The Timewarp. We'll cover the basics in this episode and the next. This week: Render types, keyframe interpolation and manipulating the Speed Graph. Check out the...
03.04.2010
ASC #19: Red Workflow V - Ingest with Redcine-X
This is the fifth of several episodes covering a workflow for using Red Digital Cinema Cameras with your Avid editing application. In this episode, we'll transcode Red's R3Ds to Avid-native DNxHD MXF files using Redcine-X, a free transcoding, grading and editing...
02.25.2010
ASC #18: Broken Projector Transition
The big star of this episode is the my audio interface that provides great sound quality. Listen to the noise! Don't hear it? See? In other news, a good old transition that looks like your film projector broke down. Who wouldn't...
02.18.2010
ASC #17: Automate Title Creation with Marquee's Autotitler
So you have a bunch of subtitles or lower thirds to do. They all look the same, except for the contents. You're not seriously considering doing them all by hand in Title Tool, are you? Enter Marquee's Autotitler, which is here...
02.11.2010
ASC #16: Secondary Color Correction in Media Composer
In this episode, we'll create a secondary color correction in Avid Media Composer. Secondary color correction is applying one correction to the image as a whole, but a different correction to a specific portion of the image. This can be necessary...
02.04.2010
ASC #15: Red Workflow IV - Conform from Avid to Apple's Color
This is the fourth of several episodes covering a workflow for using Red Digital Cinema Cameras with your Avid editing application. In this episode, we'll conform a sequence that was offline edited in Avid to Apple's Color, where you'll be...
01.28.2010
ASC #14: Spice Up Text with Video
Sometimes the good, old title with static text just doesn't cut it. In this episode, we'll make the text be another layer of video. Check out the blog entry for this week's episode: http://avidscreencast.com/asc14 Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/avidscreencast Become a fan on the Avid...
01.21.2010
ASC #13: Use Portable Applications
Ever on an editing system that you can't install software on? And all they've got for image manipulation is MS Paint? Get stuff done with portable applications that run off your USB flash drive! Examples include GIMP, an open-source Photoshop clone,...
01.14.2010
ASC #12: Animated Photo Slideshow
In this episode, we'll make a sequence of photos visually interesting by animating them into a slideshow of stacked photos that slowly fade away. This episode features special appearances by my son Mika and René Hecht. SHOW NOTES The Music used in this...
01.07.2010
ASC #11: Red Workflow III - Conform for Finishing in Avid
This is the third of several episodes covering a workflow for using Red Digital Cinema Cameras with your Avid editing application. In this episode, we'll conform a sequence that was offline edited in Avid to uncompressed HD for finishing in...
12.24.2009
ASC #10: Special Episode - Obscure Faces
Sometimes, you need to obscure the face of a person, be it for legal or aesthetic reasons. In this episode, we'll do just that using a very special technique. Check out the blog entry for this week's episode: http://avidscreencast.com/asc10 Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/avidscreencast Become...
12.22.2009
ASC #09: Red Workflow II - Conform to DPX
This is the second of several episodes covering a workflow for using Red Digital Cinema Cameras with your Avid editing application. In this episode, we'll take a sequence that was offline edited in Avid Media Composer and onform it to 4K...
12.10.2009
ASC #08: Red Workflow I - Ingest with Metafuze
This is the first of several episodes covering a workflow for using Red Digital Cinema Cameras with your Avid editing application. In this episode, we'll convert R3D footage to DNxHD MXF files for offline editing. For this, we'll use Avid's Metafuze....
12.03.2009
ASC #07: Kill Bill Effect
In this episode, we'll create a high-contrast, colorized look to an image -- simply because it looks cool. It's a great way to introduce somebody with a bang. Seriously, I have no idea why I call this the Kill Bill...
11.26.2009
ASC #06: Remap Your Keyboard!
In this episode, I'll show you how to remap your keybard and give you a couple of ideas on what functions to map to it. If this does not make you at least 10% more productive, I'll refund your money. SHOW...

What's Avid Screencast about?

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Avid Screencast episodes:

ASC #53: Split Toning

ASC #52: Let It Snow!

Special Announcement

ASC #51: Animated Video Playbar with Marquee - Part II

ASC #50: Animated Video Playbar with Marquee - Part I

ASC #49: Sports Trailer Look

ASC #48: Surveillance Camera Effect

ASC #47: Audio Basics VII - Audio Effects

ASC #46: Audio Basics VI - Equalizer

ASC #45: Audio Basics V - Audio Keyframes

ASC #44: Audio Basics IV - Audio Mixer

ASC #43: Audio Basics III - Very Basic Editing

ASC #42: Audio Basics II - Stereo Tracks

ASC #41: Audio Basics I - Settings, Settings, Settings

ASC #40: Garbage Matte for Secondary Color Correction

ASC #39: Nesting Effects

ASC #38: BCC Pan & Zoom

ASC #37: Avid Pan & Zoom

ASC #36: AMA with Red and Quicktime Files

ASC #35: Media Composer 5 Introduction

ASC #34: Film Flash

ASC #33: Safe Color Limiter

ASC #32: Blurring into / out of a Title

ASC #31: Curtain Transition

ASC #30: Audio Timewarp

No ASC this week: Console Commands

ASC #29: Glow Transition

ASC #28: Color Correction Basics VII - Vignettes and Wrap-Up

ASC #27: Color Correction Basics VI - Matching Two Shots Part II

ASC #26: Color Correction Basics V - Matching Two Shots Part I

ASC #25: Color Correction Basics IV - Manipulating Color Balance with Color Wheels

ASC #24: Color Correction Basics III - Manipulating Color Balance with Curves

ASC #23: Color Correction Basics II - Manipulating Contrast

ASC #22: Color Correction Basics I - Laying the Groundwork

ASC #21: Tackling the Timewarp II

ASC #20: Tackling the Timewarp I

ASC #19: Red Workflow V - Ingest with Redcine-X

ASC #18: Broken Projector Transition

ASC #17: Automate Title Creation with Marquee's Autotitler

ASC #16: Secondary Color Correction in Media Composer

ASC #15: Red Workflow IV - Conform from Avid to Apple's Color

ASC #14: Spice Up Text with Video

ASC #13: Use Portable Applications

ASC #12: Animated Photo Slideshow

ASC #11: Red Workflow III - Conform for Finishing in Avid

ASC #10: Special Episode - Obscure Faces

ASC #09: Red Workflow II - Conform to DPX

ASC #08: Red Workflow I - Ingest with Metafuze

ASC #07: Kill Bill Effect

ASC #06: Remap Your Keyboard!