Multicam editing with broken up clips and without audio?

Hello,

I'm trying to edit a long (about 2hrs) multi-cam interview, filmed with 2 DSLRs and 1 separate good audio source which recorded continuously.

Unfortunately 1. both cameras, which were not synced for time/date, started and stopped rolling several times throughout the interview, breaking it up into several small clips (10 or so each). and 2. audio stopped recording on the secondary camera about 3 minutes into the first clip. So I've been trying to figure out is it possible (and how) to use multicam editing without audio or timecode for syncing?

Any help would be much appreciated!

Hmmm doesn't sound so good. I'll try to give some advice here but am sure there's better advice out there.

First thing I would do is create a multi cam shot between the continuous audio source and the first camera, which you said was able to record audio. That way, you will build up an approx 2 hour interview with FCP using audio syncing. There will be blank video sections where the first camera wasn't recording.

My advice then would be to highlight each of the clips in the timeline and use the Inspector to identify the filename of each. I would then make a small listing of the in/out of each clip and the respective filename. This may seem laborious but is then a correct record of the clips on that first camera.

Then I'd look at the files on the second camera. They presumably still have a timecode embedded in them? If the files are recorded in an incrementing filename e.g. IMG_001.MOV, IMG_002.MOV then you'll know the order they must appear in the timeline when you add them. You won't have audio to sync with, but once you've matched a clip from the second camera with the previously constructed timeline you can establish the offset between the time codes recorded on the first camera clips and those on the second camera, and arrange the remaining clips accordingly?

Sorry if this sounds long winded but it's the way I can think of that may enable you to construct a timeline.

David.

Auto sync what you can, manually add what you must. Don't forget about using Markers to sync, also.

Thanks for the tips!

Unfortunately there was no timecode recorded and the time/date stamps are inaccurate. but I did try building the timeline with the continuous audio source and the main wide angle, then added the secondary camera audio-less clips incrementally. fortunately the camera 2 guy didn't stop rolling for too long when he did, sos i'm roughly able to visually line them up with the corresponding wide angle shots....it's just a pain because it's taking twice as long as it would have...

anyways I appreciate the help!

Don't forget to kick the camera guys in the shins, too. So they know better next time.