MovieMaker on the RED and Final Cut Pro X Workflow

Sam Mestman, who has taught post-production at REDucation, has a new series on MovieMaker in the DIY category that describes his RED/Final Cut Pro X workflow in elaborate detail. Mestman says “On the most recent film I worked on using this workflow, I was able to get an assembly edit of the entire film done within two days of the film wrapping.”

The series is presented in three parts:


Part 1: Project Prep

Mestman starts with the basics of system requirements and goes on to outline a comprehensive preparation that emphasizes the importance of using keywords and keyword collections. He points out the often overlooked batch renaming feature which he says has saved him “more time than any feature in any NLE.”


Part 2: Editing Tips and Tricks

Part 2 focuses on “tips and tricks” with a huge list of keyboard shortcuts, workarounds and overlooked tools. It includes a detailed look at the Magnetic Timeline and quick edit tips you may have missed.


Part 3: Finishing your RED movie using Final Cut Pro X, Redcine-X, and DaVinci Resolve

In concluding the RED/FCPX workflow, Mestman expresses the frustrations that many have experienced before and optimistically states:

Working offline/online in 4K is now not only possible, it’s actually easier. Shooting RAW in 4K (or even 5K) and delivering that 4K master can all be done within FCPX—and you don’t need any expensive gear to do it. And now that delivering in 4K is so easy, I think it won’t be long before it becomes the standard for delivering movies, whether it’s for the theater or elsewhere.