Hi everyone how’s it going.
Serge Siou here and welcome to macStudioA.
Before starting, I’ll like to give a very special thank you, for all condolences left
on my previous video about why I haven’t posted for awhile.
I would also like to give my sincere condolences for all the people that shared the lost of
their loved ones.
Your words has touched me in a tremendous way, THANK YOU so so much for all your kind
words.
Continuing on.
In this episode, I’ll go through the process of creating an Adjustment Layer in Apple Motion
and demonstrate how to use it in Final Cut Pro 10.4 to showing how the reveal effect
or transition shown was created.
We’ve got a lot to cover.
Sooooo Let’s Get Started.
My workflow when editing footage in Final Cut Pro X, usually involves applying an Adjustment
Layer.
The best way to describe what’s an Adjustment Layer, is as follows:
Any effects placed on an Adjustment Layer affects all clips below it.
For example, let’s say we want to apply the same effects to various clips on the Timeline,
instead of editing each individual clips, we just need to add an Adjustment layer above
all the clips.
As you can see, adding relevant effects on the Adjustment Layer affects all the clips
below it.
I find this very useful when color grading footage in post.
A great timesaver.
Unfortunately, Final Cut Pro X doesn’t include an Adjustment Layer, but creating one is super
easy to do, provided you have Apple Motion.
Therefore; assuming you have Apple Motion, let’s create an Adjustment Layer.
Open Motion, then click on the Final Cut Title icon.
While not very important, adjust preset and frame rate based on your typical project and
select a duration of say 30 seconds.
This can always be changed in Final Cut Pro X, then click the Open button.
Once opened, simply click on the “Type Text Here” layer and delete it.
Believe it or not, but that’s all there is in creating an Adjustment Layer in Motion.
Now, simply save as with an appropriate name like “Adjustment Layer” and optionally
create or use a Titles Category where you want the Adjustment Layer to be located in
Final Cut Pro X.
I’ll just create one called macStudioA.
Then click on the Publish button and close Motion.
Now, with Final Cut Pro opened, let’s see this Adjustment Layer in action.
But first, when recording videos on my Canon Rebel SL2 also known as a 200D, I normally
create a custom flat or RAW Picture Style.
In summary, what this means is, that I’m capturing footage at a higher Dynamic range
by dialing down the Sharpness, Contrast and Saturation all the way down as shown.
As you can see, the clip on the timeline doesn’t look very appealing, in fact, it looks terrible
or basically flat.
Let’s add the Adjustment Layer created earlier in Motion above the clip and use it to color
grade the footage below.
As you'll remember, it's was saved in the Titles browser under the category of macStudioA.
Therefore, with the Adjustment layer selected, I’ll just decrease the duration for rendering
purposes.
There’s no stead fast techniques or methods in color correction or grading a particular
clip, it just has to do with plenty of practice and what looks good to you or what type of
look you’re going for.
Therefore, with the Adjustment layer selected, click on the enhancement pop-up menu and select
the Balance Color effect, which automatically adjust the shadows, highlights and contrast.
Next, and still with the Adjustment layer selected, let’s work on the overall color
grading of the clip.
Click on the color inspector icon shown here and from the Color Wheels, adjust the Shadows,
Highlights and Midtones accordingly, while watching the Vector Scopes.
Adjust the Shadows where the longest peak on the Luma and RGB Parade Vector Scopes are
pretty close to Zero, Highlights close to 100 and Midtones about 75.
That’s my particular preference, just remember, increasing the Highlights too much above 100
or the shadows lower that 0 may cause your clip to become grainy or colors crushed.
If you want to see a more detailed color grading episode, let me know in the comments below.
As you can see the before and after footage is noticeably better.
At this point, this is where I find using an Adjustment Layer indispensable.
Let me explain, I can now duplicate the color graded Adjustment Layer and apply different
looks to them.
Quick tip, holding down the Option key while dragging the color graded Adjustment Layer
anywhere, duplicates it.
Now, on each of the duplicated Adjustment Layers, I’ll very quickly apply different
effects to see which looks good, as shown.
Disable the Adjustment Layers not needed and simply drag the one you want to use over the
entire clip,
as shown.
All this was done without editing or touching the original primary clip on the timeline.
I’ll now show how the reveal effect, shown on the intro was created.
The first thing I’ll do, is use the Blade tool to to spit the clip at an arbitrary section
and then duplicate the selected clip by simply holding down the Option key and drag it above
the Adjustment Layer.
Now; select the duplicated clip and add the Draw Mask effect onto it.
Reduce the view to say 25%,
and click here to add the first point.
Now, while holding down the Shift key, add the second point.
Holding down the Shift key basically allows for a straight line to be connected between
two points.
Continue holding down the Shift key to add the other two points.
Release the shift key and click on the starting point to complete drawing the Mask.
As you can see, dragging the Vertical lines shown here towards the right or left, reveals
the color graded clip below it.
Ok, let’s Keyframe the Mask to animate it.
Therefore, skim to the point where you want to start the animation and click on the Control
Point shown here, to begin key framing the Mask.
Now, on the selected clip, move the Playhead to a point where you want the animation to
end.
Then drag the vertical Mask line towards the right until the entire color graded clip is
visible.
And as you can see when playing the clip the reveal effect is shown.
Let’s add some music and voilà…Done Like Dinner.
Guys, please understand, by no means am I an expert in what I'm showing in this videography
series.
The methods, tips and techniques used in my workflow, is what I've learnt and tested.
One thing I've found out for sure, in order to get better in videography or cinematography,
one has to pratice, pratice, practice.
It's a never ending learning process in which I hope I can convey what I've learnt to you
and in the process, hope you can learn something from it.
If you have any comments or suggestions related to this videography series or if have any
question related to this particular episode, please leave them in the comments below.
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Thanks for watching and see you soon.
Peaaaaace!!!