On taking a closer look at the screengrabs from yesterday, we found out some interesting new functionality. Can we build our own effects, generators and transitions with the Motion5(X) FCPX partnership?
It all happened so quickly yesterday that we didn't really have time to sit down and look carefully at the leaked FCPX and new Motion screengrabs. There was a lot of instant speculation about the 'Rig' feature, but we want to take a closer look at something much more interesting.
So in the cold light of morning and after a large latte we took a long hard look at one image in particular. This is probably the new box that opens when the new Motion opens. Take a look at the options on the left hand side and the new icons.
Does this mean we will be able to build generators, effects, transitions and titles in Motion and use them in FCPX as a 'plugin?' This would open up huge creative opportunities as these could be applied to clips without having to roundtrip as you would with Motion4. Can you tell we are excited? Does this mean that FCPX would become more of a cutting station and instead of stacking clips up on the timeline, any visual effect other than a simple one would be handed off to Motion?
Now here comes a huge piece of speculation. Would the same happen to Color if it still exists? The moment Color was originally released we said a 'Color Plugin' like Magic Bullet would be so much easier than having to roundtrip, your clips would keep all their attributes, filters e.t.c. More important for us here on the FCP.co campus is the fact that the project could be graded without needing picture lock.
This probably means the end of FXScript, we can't see Apple supporting it as they look to have built a new method of building FX.
It could be an elaborate hoax by some Photoshop genius but we really hope not. Is Motion built in to FCPX? Will we have the option to buy/download Motion5/X as an extra?
Interesting times ahead.
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!
