Changing the background of a graphic in fcpx, Editor or Graphic Designer job?

I've been asked to change a graphic(attached)
that i'm using as an intro to a project, the grpahic has an image of 2 people sitting on a car on the left side of the image while a title and another graphic with a black background are on the right hand side of the image. I've been asked to make the background white on the right hand side, can fcpx do this? I feel this should be a job for a graphic designer/photosohop??

Lots of questions. Is that a motion graphic, or is the whole thing still, including the text and design? Do you have access to the original motion graphic file (maybe After Effects or Motion) if it is motion graphics, or if it's all still, do you have the layered original (probably a PSD)? If so, you should be able to do it easily, and for them to hire a graphic designer to do something so simple is crazy. For this sort of corporate job, it's almost always the understanding that you will do this sort of work.

If you don't have the original, it's just not going to turn out well if you try to bring it into Photoshop and replace the black. It looks like it's been scaled badly from an SD source, and the aspect ratio of the shot is all screwed-up and stretched. Your best bet is to just recreate that design which is really basic. You can use something like What the Font to find out what typefaces they used. And while you're at it, please scale that image properly! You don't want your people looking fat in a piece for a fashion company.

No its a still, i've sorted the problem using a generator for white background and fixed the stretching, thanks for the response, so basically what you are saaying is that if I have to do some work on a still image, best to accept it as my responsibility and ask for the layered original, my next question is at what point does being an editor cross over into being a visual effects editor, is it only in film the roles are delineated?

It is rare that specific job titles limit you to specific tasks. Editors must know basic effect, graphic design, etc, today. The crossover, as you refer to it, happens when you need to get something done, and don't have time to wait. Or are resourceful enough to figure it out on your own quickly.

In today's media production industry, there are no longer any such things as:
professionals, standards, defined job titles.

Everyone does everything and it is all one huge gray area... and that's a good thing.

Not always necessarily a good thing I would argue, there are limits to everything, clients expecting everything and anything at the drop of the hat due to this grey area being a prime example.

That is, has always, and will always be true of any business. That's just dealing with clients. No industry is immune to that. When you have to deal with other people, learn how to do it, because switching jobs won't solve that problem.

Agreed, in your experience has dealing with client expectations become easier or harder though? A lot argue it's become harder.

It totally depends on the project/budget/expectations and your relationship to the client. You have to be aware of what your skillset is and what you're willing to do, especially as a freelancer. Make that clear at the outset. The client is free to choose you for what you can do or perhaps someone else who's willing to do more for cheaper or what have you. For that particular project, it's almost certain that you should be able to handle it. I would never hire an editor who could not do something so simple. Now, you might run into and old-timer high-end film editor who can't do graphics at all, but in that case, that person is wrong for the job (but absolutely right for another job).

For a job with more involved motion graphics, you would need a specialist, and a good client will understand this and budget accordingly. We have a full-time graphics/motion guy on staff, and will hire additional freelancers according to the needs of the project.

I'm new to the industry and have had only a handful of clients, I could handle that request, I suppose I was a little reticent as I've taught myself how to edit first and foremost and I suppose I was just wanting to gauge what best practice is, it seem best practice is determined case by case!

Seany wrote: Agreed, in your experience has dealing with client expectations become easier or harder though? A lot argue it's become harder.

I don't believe that. I've been running businesses for decades, people are still people. I think folks like to think there was some fictitious "good old days" when clients never hassled you. But that really never existed outside of imagination.

Industries change, workflows change, client specifications may change, but people are still just people. Roll with the changes, or hide under a rock.

Even if clients are more of a hassle today, you still have to deal with them. So what's the point? I know folks in our industry who never have a bad client. They are also excellent when it comes to dealing with people.

People are people, period.

' I think folks like to think there was some fictitious "good old days" when clients never hassled you. But that really never existed outside of imagination' this is defintely true of people - nostalgia for the good old days
Thanks for your 2 cents.

Seany wrote: ... I feel this should be a job for a …

//Warning! GrandPa-tells-from-the-war ahead!! //

30y ago, I was guest on a shooting for a TV-commercial in London … 'guest', because I was the copy-writer = no use being on set ... :S

'We' noticed, a bowl, some prop on a table wasn't aligned perfectly ... so, I stepped forward, to give the bowl a lil' push - "NOOO!" the whole crew yelled ... moving props is responsibility of Floor Manager; Floor Manager was taking the Union-agreed tea pause (we are in Great Britain); whole production halted for 15min; Floor Manager entered set, pushed bowl half an inch; "aaand action!".

True story.

It's not only the clients, who have high expectations! :woohoo:

Good.Fast.Cheap. Pick two ...