Unlimited Filters from Picture Instruments allows a user to build looks in Photoshop and then take the LUT grades and apply them in FCPX, Adobe's Premiere Pro and After Effects.
We have to admit, it took us a while to get our head around Unlimited Filters. In a nutshell, a user can build a look in Photoshop or any image editing software, then via the Unlimited Filters application, apply that look in Final Cut Pro X, Adobe Premiere Pro or After Effects.
So what exactly is a LUT? We quote Wikipedia
'3D lookup tables (3D LUTs) are used to map one colour space to another. They are commonly used to calculate preview colors for a monitor or digital projector of how an image will be reproduced on another display device, typically the final digitally projected image or release print of a movie. A 3D LUT is a 3D lattice of output RGB color values that can be indexed by sets of input RGB colour values.'
Time for a video as the author of the application has summed it all up quite nicely in six minutes.
Unlimited Filters is priced at $75, but to get the LUTs into FCPX you will also need a plugin such as Color Grading Central's $29 LUT Utility.
So not only can you make cross-NLE colour correction tools which would be good for collaborative work, you can make some very radical grades which would be hard to achieve without stacking up Colour Board instances.
We had a good play with the app this morning, it's not as intuitive as you would expect, but there's great potential in there. We understand that LUTs can be built in Blackmagic Design's DaVinci Resolve, but editors might prefer the convenience of grading in Photoshop for example.
Unfortunately, there's no LUT import into Motion, so the construction of FCPX plugins isn't an option. Only the direct import using a third party importer such as LUT Utility is possible. Old Shake users will be familiar with LUTs as Apples' old compositing application allowed their import before it was EOL'd. So they have the code, maybe it might make its way into FCPX at a later date, although it would be the GPU and not the CPU doing the hard work. Adobe users can import the grades directly into both apps.
We will be watching the development of this product with interest.
I am the Editor-in-Chief of FCP.co and have run the website since its inception ten years ago.
I have also worked as a broadcast and corporate editor for over 30 years, starting on one inch tape, working through many formats, right up to today's NLEs.
Under the name Idustrial Revolution, I have written and sold plugins for Final Cut Pro for 13 years.
I was made a Freeman of Lichfield through The Worshipful Company of Smiths (established 1601). Though I haven't yet tried to herd a flock of sheep through the city centre!
Current Editing
2020 has been busy, the beginning of the year was finishing off a new property series (cut on FCP) for Channel 4 called The Great House Giveaway. I also designed and built the majority of the graphics as Motion templates. It has been a great success and the shows grabbed more viewers in the 4pm weekday slot than any previous strand. It has been recommissioned by C4 for 60 episodes, including prime-time versions and five themed programmes. The shows have also been nominated for a 2021 BAFTA.
Although both were postponed to later in the year, I worked again on ITV's coverage of the Tour de France and La Vuelta. 2020 was my 25th year of editing the TdF and my 20th year as lead editor. The Tour was the first broadcast show to adopt FCPX working for multiple editors on shared storage.
BBC's Snooker has played a big part in my life, I've been editing tournament coverage since 1997. I'm proud to be part of a very creative team that has pioneered many new ideas and workflows that are now industry standard in sports' production. This is currently an Adobe Premiere edit.
Covid cancelled some of the regular corporate events that I edit such as trade shows & events. I was lucky however to edit, from home, on projects for Amazon Kindle, Amazon Black Friday, Mastercard and very proud to have helped local charitable trust Kendall & Wall secure lottery funding.
As for software, my weapon of choice is Final Cut Pro and Motion, but I also have a good knowledge and broadcast credits with Adobe Premiere Pro, MOGRT design and Photoshop.
Plugin Design & Development
I'm the creative force behind Idustrial Revolution, one of the oldest Final Cut Pro plugin developers. It hosts a range of commercial and free plugins on the site. One free plugin was downloaded over a thousand times within 24 hours of release.
I also take on custom work, whether it is adapting an existing plugin for a special use or designing new plugins for clients from scratch. Having a good knowledge of editing allows me to build-in flexibility and more importantly, usability.
FCP.co
Now in its 10th year and 4th redesign, running FCP.co has given me knowledge on how to run a large CMS- you are currently reading my bio from the database! Although it sounds corny, I am pretty well up on social media trends & techniques, especially in the video sector. The recent Covid restrictions has enabled live FCP.co shows online. This involves managing a Zoom Webinar through Restream.io to YouTube and Facebook.
The Future
I'm always open to new ideas and opportunities, so please get in touch at editor (at) fcp.co. I've judged film competitions, presented workflow techniques to international audiences and come up with ideas for TV shows and software programs!
