Video editing in the Bit Central Suites
The Bit Central suites provide a professional, networked environment for editing video for television newscasts. This environment includes iNews, Premiere Pro, Bit Central’s Precis system.
1. Story Creation (iNews)
• When video will be attached to a line item, an “a” must be typed into the BIT-C column in iNews:
Note: iNews is available in the edit suites. Double check early on that your story is properly formatted.
2. Project Setup (Edit Suites)
Please see the “Adobe Premiere Pro Initial Setup Instructions.”
You should have the customized settings outlined in that manual saved to your Adobe ID.
• Log on to an edit suite computer using your FCAD login.
• Double-click on The RVR Icon on the desktop. Open the templates folder. • Find the template for your class (ex: TorontoToday, Ryersonian, etc).
Note that the template is an entire folder (not just the Premiere Project inside).
• Copy the template folder for your show, then navigate to the Projects folder. Open your class folder and paste the entire template folder.
• Rename the template folder clearly (ex FireSept25). This is
now your project folder.
• Open the folder, and double click on the .pproj file. • From there, click on the small Creative Cloud button at the
bottom-left of the screen. Choose “Use Settings from a
Different Account…” Follow the on-screen instructions to
login. Premiere Pro will re-launch with your Sync Settings.
3. Video File Transfer
**Note: It is important you copy all raw material from the SD card onto the RVR. This is crucial so you can open your project from any
suite, and collaborate with the rest of you class on production elements, like headline packs.
• Insert your SD Card. Copy and paste the “PRIVATE” folder to your project folder on the RVR. “What will happen if I don’t copy the whole ‘PRIVATE’ folder?”
These are the potential issues: o Audio drop outs, or complete loss of audio
o Red flashes in your video files
o Other file corruption issues, including freezing Premiere Pro completely.
• Safely remove the SD card before you continue. This will ensure that you are working with the files in your project folder and not directly off the SD card.
• In Premiere Pro, choose “File-Import-Files…”from the top menu, browse to your files in your project folder, and press the “Import” button. Using the AC90 camera video, you will find the .mts files you need to import in
REMEMBER:
Premiere Pro imports a LIST of files, not the files themselves. If you delete or disconnect from the files, the project will not work. PLEASE ensure you have transferred all files to your project folder.
The desktop of the edit suite computers IS NOT a safe place for files. If the computer reboots, anything saved to the computer will be lost.
4. Get to know the Interface
The Premiere Pro workspace consists of several panels:
Project files: This is where you find the video, audio and graphics for your project. Note that the template provides several
sequences and titles pre-made for virtually all video assignments. There are two view options – list or thumbnail. In thumbnail view, you will also be able to see which files you have already used, but this view makes it more difficult to see all your available files at once. This panel is also searchable.
Effects: This is where you can browse or search for audio and video effects and transitions. If you have followed the Initial Setup
instructions and are signed in with your Sync Settings, you should have a folder with your name on it containing the most common effects and transitions.
Source viewer: This is where you can modify media before or after it has been added to the timeline. Nested behind the is the Effect Controls Panel which is used for modifying effects and motion options.
Program viewer: This is the preview of your final project as it is being created. By pressing CTRL and ~, you can maximize this
panel for a full-screen preview.
Track Headers: This portion of Sequence panel contains the name of each track and some track buttons. It can be customized,
and can be used to activate/deactivate tracks when using keyboard shortcuts.
Timeline: This is the main portion of Sequence panel. It is your canvas – where you will build your project.
VU meter: This shows you the overall audio levels of your project. The headers can be customized to include mini VU meters for
monitor the levels on each track.
5. Get to know the Sequence Panel
The Sequence panel contains the timeline where you will create your project. Here is some useful information about using this panel.
Track Headers
•
Premiere Pro defaults to three video tracks, and several audio tracks. Notice that a video file will appear on a video track and 2 audio tracks (with left and right audio channels). You are not likely to need more than the default tracks, and adding more often adds confusion rather than helping. However, if you wish to add more tracks, simply click and drag a clip above the top video track or below the audio master track and a new video or audio track will appear.•
Click and drag the top edges of your tracks to expand or contract their height. This can be useful when editing audio waveforms.•
Beside each track are buttons. The eye/speaker buttons will hide/mute a track. The next button is a sync lock button (sync lock is the default option, so audio and video will remain in sync unless these buttons are turned off). The final button is a lock option. When clicked, a padlock icon will appear and you will not be able to move or modify anything on the locked track.•
There are pull-down arrows to the right of the track buttons that reveal more information (see the Video 1 and Audio 1 tracks in the image above). This is also how you will be able to view the audio waveform.The Timeline
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To play the timeline, press the space bar. Press it again to stop.•
To go to a specific spot on the timeline, click and drag the cursor on the ruler at the top of the panel.•
To zoom in and out, click and drag the ends of the scrollbar at the bottom of the timeline.Other Controls
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At the top-left of the timeline window you will see yellow numbers that represent the time code where you cursor is currently positioned.•
Underneath the time code display, there is a button with a magnet icon. This is a snapping option. When you drag the cursor along the timeline with this option active, it will be attracted to the beginning and ends of clips, as well as any key frames.6. Edit your Project – Basic Video
There are several ways to approach the editing process. The following are best practices for editing video under tight deadlines:
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There are two approaches to adding clips (or media files) to the timeline.o Click and drag shorter clips from the Project panel onto the timeline in the order you wish them to play, then using the instructions below, you can fine-tune the edit.
o Double-click on longer clips in the Project Panel to load them into the Source Viewer. Using the hotkeys “I” and “O,” select an in-point and an out-point for the section you wish to use. Click and drag the preview image to the timeline, or click on either the audio or video button below the image to add just the audio or video .
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The default tool is the Selection Tool (the traditional arrow cursor). If you change tools, you will want to return to the selection tool to continue editing. To do this, click on the black arrow in the toolbar panel or use the hotkey “V”•
There are two options when arranging clips on the timeline. An overwrite edit occurs when you click and drag a clip over another clip. This erases any overlapping material from the timeline. If you hold “Ctrl” as you click and drag a clip to the timeline, it will push the clips apart and make room for the new clip, which is known as an insert edit.•
Here are three ways to edit the in-points and out-points of clips along the timeline: o Click and drag the ends of clips to trim the beginning or end.o Select the clip by clicking on it. Place the cursor at the desired cut point, and then press CTRL+K to cut the clip into pieces.
o Alternatively, use the razor tool from the tool panel (hotkey “C”) to cut a clip into pieces.
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To get rid of a gap on the timeline, right-click on the gap and select “Ripple Delete”•
A video clip placed on video track 2 will visually override a clip on track 1, track 3 will override tracks 2 and 1, etc…Only use another track when necessary.•
Holding down the “alt” key as you click on a clip on the timeline allows you to select the audio or video for that clip separately.•
A “split edit” is a very common and effective technique that makes for a smoother edit, allowing the viewer to hear the audio from the next clip briefly before the visuals change. Here is a simple way to achieve this:o Press the hotkey “N” to switch to the roll trim tool o Click on the edit point along the video track to select it o Hold down the ALT key and click and drag the video
forward on the timeline by about one to two seconds. o Press the hotkey “V” to return to the Selection Tool
7. Edit your Project – Mixing Audio
Several audio sources are often layered to get the desired result (music, ambient sound, voice-over, etc). The overall output should peek at about -10. Watch the VU meter on the bottom-right of the screen for the overall output, and use the track VU meters to monitor each track.
There are two ways to adjust audio levels:
Audio Gain:
• To quickly adjust the overall audio level of a clip, right-click on the clip and choose “Audio Gain…”
• In the box that pops up, type in a new value beside “Adjust Gain By:” Start by adjusting the gain by 5 decibel increments. To lower the audio level, type in a negative value (i.e. “-5”).
• Play the timeline and watch the VU meter to ensure you have the desired levels. If not, adjust again by adding or subtracting decibel increments as needed.
Using the Pen tool:
• Double-click the audio track header that correlates to the clip you wish to adjust. This will open the waveform view. • Select the pen tool from the tool palette, or use the hotkey “P”
• To change the levels of an entire clip with this tool, click and drag up or down on the thin white line that appears on the audio clip.
• To create a fade within a clip, add key frames along the audio clip. With the pen tool selected, click at the point at which you wish the fade to begin. Add a second key frame where you wish the fade to end. Click and drag the key frames up or down to create a fade.
• Click and drag the diamond-shaped fade control points that will appear if you need to adjust. To delete a fade control point, select it (the point will turn yellow) and press the Delete key.
8. Edit your Project – Using Transitions
Video “Dissolve”
The cross-dissolve transition can be used to create a either fade or dissolve. A dissolve is when two images blend over time to create a subtle transition. A fade is when an image disappears into a colour. Here is how they will appear on the timeline:
• Type “dissolve” into the search field in the Effects panel, and click and drag the “Cross Dissolve” to the end of a clip to make a fade, or between two clips on the same track to make a dissolve.
• To adjust the length, click and drag the end of the effect. To remove it, click on the effect, and press the delete key.
Audio “Crossfade”
Similar to the dissolve transition, the crossfade transition can be used to create an audio fade or crossfade. A fade is when an audio clip fades in at the start or out and the end. A crossfade is when two audio clips blend over time to create a subtle transition.
• For an audio crossfade, type “constant” into the search field in the Effects panel, then click and drag the “Constant Gain” between two audio clips.
• To adjust the length, click and drag the end of the effect. To remove it, click on the effect, and press the delete key.
Other Transitions
The simplest way to find a particular transition is to type its name into the search field at the top of the panel. For example, for a wipe, simply type “wipe” into the search bar and all available wipe transitions will appear. If you click on a transition, you can modify the effect (ex: change the direction of a wipe) in the Effects Control panel.
9. Add Voiceovers
• Turn down the speakers in the edit suite. • Make sure the pre-amp (black box) is turned on.
• Place the play head along the timeline where you would like to start the voiceover
Note: the voiceover should start at least three seconds after the beginning of the video on the timeline.
Leaving this space is called “padding.”
• Choose an empty audio track, or right-click the audio header and select “Add Track” to make a new one. • Right-click on the grey area of the header beside the empty audio track and choose “Voice Over Settings…”
• In the window that pops up, use the VU meter to set your levels. Speak into the mic and adjust the levels using the knob on the pre-amp if necessary. Close the window.
• When you are ready to record, click the microphone button in the header beside the empty audio track. • There will be a three second countdown on the Program Viewer panel. Once it reaches 0, begin recording the
voiceover.
• Notice that the recording now appears along the timeline, and the file has been placed in the Project panel. • Listen to the mix – make sure that the voiceover is clear and easy to hear over the background sound in the video
10. Add Titles
As part of the template, there is a bin containing title templates for your class’ newscast in the Project Panel. • From the Project panel, open the “Title Templates” bin. Find the template you wish to use.
• Click and drag it to a video track on the timeline. If you are creating a lower third, place the title on a video track above the video you are referencing.
• Double click on the title in the timeline to open the Titler.
• Press “T” on the keyboard to ensure you are using the Type Tool.
• Click on the placeholder text and replace it with your text. Ensure you follow the formatting – for example when using the Lower Thirds template, the name should be all caps, title in title case.
• Click the x at the top right to close the window – it will automatically save the changes. • Add fades to the beginning and end of your titles using the Cross Dissolve transition.
• To make another title using the same template, select the first title you made on the timeline and ALT-drag it forward to the next location (DO NOT COPY/PASTE!). You now have a duplicate of the original title. Double click on the duplicate title to open the Titler and replace the text as needed.
11. Send Video to the Studio for Playout (Attach to Rundown)
*Before attaching to Precis, delete any extra material at the end of the timeline.* *This step can only be done from a Bit Central edit suite.*
• In iNews, double check that your story is in the lineup, and an “a” has been typed into the BIT-C column. • In Premiere Pro, save your project (CTRL+S).
• Click on the sequence panel to ensure it is active. • Choose “File-Export-Attach to Rundown” from the
top menu.
• In the window that pops up, select your lineup. Your item’s slug should appear in the list. • Be very careful to select your item’s slug – then
click the “Attach” button. Premiere will then encode and send your file to the playback system.
• Wait – before checking that your file sent to the studio properly, wait until the process is complete in the suite and add about three more minutes for processing.
• If you make changes and need to resend, simply repeat the steps above to the same slug. NOTE: If you do resend,
12. Check the Precis Web Page
To double-check that your item is successfully attached to the playback system, you can use the Precis web page. There is a shortcut on the desktop of every lab computer and every edit suite, or, if you are logged onto RU secure, you can find it at http://jrncontent/login.aspx on your own laptop.
You will be provided with the login information in the editing workshop. See the technical staff if you forget.
Once you are logged in, you can navigate to your lineup from the list on the left, click on the camera button at the top-right, and select your slug from the lineup to view a preview version of your item (note: it may appear slightly cut-off due to the dimensions of the preview player, but this does not affect how it will play in studio)
13. Export your project as a video file
When you complete an item, you may also choose to export two files – one high quality, and one web-quality. The web quality version can be used on any of the school’s websites.
• Save your project (CTRL+S).
• Click on the sequence panel to ensure it is active. • From the top menu, choose File-Export-Media….
• In the window that pops up, choose “H.264” as the format.
• For submitting for marking, choose “Match Source - Medium Bitrate” as the preset. For uploading to YouTube or for the CA package in JRN314, choose “Match Source – High Bitrate.” For upload directly to Wordpress, you need a special imported preset. For assistance, see the technical staff.
• Click on the blue writing beside “Output Name.” This brings you to a browser window where you can select where to save and rename the file. Make sure you are saving to your project folder to start.
• Click the “Export” button at the bottom of the screen to export one file at a time.
• To export two versions at once, you can click the “Queue” button at the bottom of the screen. This will open the Adobe Media Encoder where you can duplicate the export and change the preset. Then, press the green arrow at the top-right of the screen to begin exporting both files. Do not close Premiere Pro until the process is complete.
Before you leave…
• Place copies of your finished video in your Home folder on the network, or on a USB storage device. • Clean up any papers, pens, etc…remember cleaning staff do not regularly clean the edit suites.
• Make sure you disconnect any external devices (including cameras, USB drives, SD cards…) and return any borrowed equipment – do not leave anything unattended.
