Working with RED files directly in FCPX?

I am doing a shoot at short notice tomorrow with a RED One, mainly doing slow motion video for some title shots of a reality show.

I have never worked with the camera before, though the guy I am renting it from feels confident he can give me a crash course on how to use it in the morning.

What is concerning me is the post workflow. What is the best way to import these files into FCPX? Do I need to have some RED centric software deal with it first? Is this available to download?

Frankly I just want to get it converted to prores asap, so that I can start editing it, though I know that negates the whole point of having the raw files in the first place.

The only reason I am using the camera is for the slow motion (not for the raw, and I don't need 4K).

It will mainly be shot at 120fps at 2K.

I wonder will my computer be able to deal with it (it is an ageing but up to now very reliable 2011 macbook pro):

OSX Yosemite
Macbook Pro 17inch Early 2011
2.3 Ghz Intel Core i7
Memory 8gb
Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 mb
FCPX 10.2.1

Any RED heads here? Thanks in advance!

You should have no problem bringing the files into FCPX. go to red and download their Red apple workflow installer.

www.red.com/downloads?category=Software&release=final

they also have a short tutorial that will get you up to speed with the raw aspects in FCPX.

The only real pitfall I see is during import, FCPX does not recognize the card structure from a RED ONE, so it is possible to "leave in place" during import. so BE CAREFUL!!

Also, RED ONEs use a crazy folder structure. I usually just have FCPX bring in the root folder and then delete all the silly keywords it makes per clip.

Otherwise, there should be no pitfalls ahead of you.

If you let FCPX optimize the footage for you, it will make prores 4444 for you, which could help you out. Otherwise, you can always use the proxy workflow. if your not using 4k your computer should be able to handle it. Our 2011 imacs handle 2k raw fine, and they also have 8gb ram.

Keep in mind when using 120fps the RED ONE will not only be in 2k mode, but will also crop the sensor to a super16 size.

I'm by no means a red head, but I am familiar with REDs and the RED ONE. It is still a fantastic camera 8 years after its release.


all the best,

Thanks, FernKraft, for your reply.

In the end there was a problem with the RED so I was unable to rent it. I will be getting an FS700 tomorrow instead, so I guess that works out better (higher frame rates & no crop factor) - though in truth I was looking forward having an excuse to finally start working with a RED camera. Next time maybe!