Best way for a client to see an edit from FCPX?

Just wondering what the best way a client seeing a partial edit or full edit from FCPX. This week I have been back and forth from a client 10 miles away (keeps changing their mind)

For a partial edit, I duplicate the project and just keep the section I want then 'Share to email'

For a full edit e.g. 7 min promo ( I upload to youtube channel etc then take it down).. I do have access to my own web server but got no idea hoe to upload it so the client can see it. But it was quicker to take it to the client to show this week

Anyone got any better ways of doing the above?

Online is easiest. I apply a TC generator, post it somewhere online. Personally we use Vimeo (better quality and interface), apply a password, email the client. Then the client can note the TC desired changes or questions refer to. Can't imagine what could be easier, outside of the old iChat Theater in FCP 7. We find this really quick and easy. We can even Skype while they look at it and do changes on the fly, to get more direct feedback, questions answered, etc. Most of my clients are 50+ miles away, some out of the country. So this works great for us.

Hi BenB

I have a basic Vimeo account, so would i need to upgrade to the plus or pro account?

Never thought of using the TC generator with clients, thanks I will try this

I use Dropbox. That way I can set up private folders for all my clients.
I just export a web preview straight into their folder and send them a text that it's there.
They can watch on computer, iPhone or iPad.

I don't bother with burnt in Timecode as I always send the entire edit.

Works perfectly and all my clients love it.

Thanks Seanus

Ironically I use dropbox now and then but my last two clients had dropbox blocked by the IT dept. (security risk )

Yeah I've had that too. I just get them to use their iPhones. Bypass the nerds.

Ha true.

I have never thought of that, what format do you export the the edit in for viewing from dropbox if you dont mind me asking?

We often use WeTransfer.com to send files to clients. Very fast, very reliable and I love That you receive a confirmation email once the files are downloaded. Up to 2GB the service is free, it's definitely well worth a try!

All great suggestions here. If you do a lot of client work that requires feedback (and I mean a lot - like in my case I am uploading around 15-20 videos per month, often several at a time) I use a service called Kollaborate by Digital Rebellion. Had a really great experience with it so far and clients can leave feedback right in the web. If there are a lot of notes, I can download the lists as a marker file and drop it into FCPX, which creates the markers. Note taking becomes very easy at this point (and if you have ever started addressing notes based on TC without dropping in the markers first, you know what I mean and how lost you can get!)

It's not free (although it is MUCH better priced than comparable services). However, for me and my clients with the volume of work, it's worth it.

+1 on Vimeo as described by Ben. It does require a Plus or Pro account to get the password feature and to upload very many videos per week. Plus account is only $60 per year.

Thanks fcpguru/ddixon

Lots of options here, i wasn't sure whether the vimeo plus account would let me set up a private link or not. I like the sound of retransfer and I have heard of Kollaberate, although I have to be honest and say I am not sure I am busy enough with commercial clients to use that service just yet.

What format are you exporting your files in to upload so the client can see them?

That's the nice thing about Vimeo - you just upload one file and Vimeo makes it available at great quality whether they access it from a computer or an iPhone.

I export a master file, use Compressor to convert to H.264 (often 720p to save on file size), and upload that.

I am using google drive, share the link they can then watch it there with a timecode overlay.

gaddster wrote: Ha true.

I have never thought of that, what format do you export the the edit in for viewing from dropbox if you dont mind me asking?

Really depends on the client and the job. If it's a documentary then obviously I'm going to have compress the crap out it compared to a commercial.

So I've made a bunch of presets in Compressor that I use.

Vimeo is ok but in my experience it can be flaky. Plus if you making a lot of changes it's a pain to keep uploading deleting re-uploading etc. And then there's the cost.

I'll probably get chewed out for suggesting this, But i often use Quicktime X.

Export a master from FCP open in Quicktime, File > Export > 480p. It's super fast and looks great.

Not as small files as from Compressor and you can't batch, but it's wicked fast and easy.

gaddster wrote: Thanks Seanus

Ironically I use dropbox now and then but my last two clients had dropbox blocked by the IT dept. (security risk )

Check out copy.com from Barracuda Networks. It has the same option as Dropbox and more.
The beauty you can create "Companies" for your clients. Also it runs on all platforms.
Here is a link to receive 20GB for free it is worth for a try https://copy.com?r=yyLfen

I do allot RED and ProRes plus VFX and it has been a great companion.

Lots go great ways and tips here, thank you

Also noticed many people use compressor and I don't, maybe I should now..

Another nice thing about Vimeo is that you can replace the video file but still have the same link and password. This is great because it doesn't count toward your upload limit, and if for some reason you see something you forgot to change, you can fix this without having to send a new link to the client.

Google Drive is also nice because you can just create a folder and upload whatever you want into that folder and even keep the previous versions available if you want. They could also chose to have that folder automatically sync to their computer so if they needed a copy for some strange reason it's already there. My biggest issue with Google Drive is that their web interface is really ugly and looks like something from the '90s. But it's only $1.99 per month for 100GB.

Is there a sharing/preview method that works best with a slow DSL connection? Mine will take 6 or 8 hours
to upload a 10 min. H.264 720P file to YouTube meanwhile blocking email downloads.

revchas wrote: Is there a sharing/preview method that works best with a slow DSL connection? Mine will take 6 or 8 hours
to upload a 10 min. H.264 720P file to YouTube meanwhile blocking email downloads.

Depends on what exactly what type of preview you're sharing. If it's a basic content approval round and image size/quality is not crucial at this point, then encode a low bitrate h264 .mp4 file at 480p or 360p and send it via WeTransfer or DropBox.