So hands up, how many editors have ever used an old style EDL? You might not have touched a CMX 3600 standard edit decision list for a while, but there's kit out there that needs a list to function. Now you can make an industry standard EDL from FCPX via XML with the new EDL-X application.
Ah the days of sitting at an edit controller with a long EDL printout, hunched over the keyborad tapping in numbers line after line. Thankfully those days have gone (B Mode, C Mode, D Mode...), but there is hardware and software that needs an EDL or Edit Decision List to work properly.
EDL-X is a $99 standalone application that takes the XML exported from Final Cut Pro X and converts it into a CMX 3600 list.
This application is going to have small niche in the post production world and hence the pricing. It looks like Rainer Standke from XMiL Workflow tools has done a good job too as we know from first hand how kit can be fussy with EDLs.
"EDL-X groups all video and audio clips into as few tracks as possible. Each video track gets its own EDL, with synch audio in the same EDL.
EDL X features flexible Source Reel Name handling:
• Source names can be read directly from the QuickTime files used in the project.
• Alternatively, media file names, or full file paths can be used.
• Source names can be made to conform to strict CMX standards (three numbers), or 8, 16, 32 or unlimited alpha-numerical characters.
• Each EDL includes a source table, allowing for easy tracking of any name conversions.
• All source names are user-editable, on a per-source basis.
EDL-X can save the Final Cut Pro XML file as well as the generated EDLs in one convenient document for future reference."
Requirements
EDL-X runs on Mac OS 10.7.3 and newer. It requires Final Cut Pro X to export your edited project as XML files.
Rainer has also published two pages that will help with making EDLs.
EDL-X FAQ and know problems & limitations.
The CMX 3600 EDL specification sheet - worth a read to bring back memories - when was the last time we said GPI in the office?
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!
