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Video Editing: What is Multicam Editing? (page 2)

Audio

Audio is a big consideration in multicam editing, as you will have as many audio feeds as video feeds, if not more. It's common to have more, as many producers will tap into the sound board, if there is one present, with an audio recording device such as a DAT (digital audio tape) or maybe with one of the cameras. You can set this "house mix" audio clip as your main audio track for your multiclip. You can also have the audio follow your video selects, meaning whichever video clip you click on, that is the audio that will be heard. It is also possible, with some programs, to have more than one active audio angle.

Finalize

Finalizing your process will be beneficial in some programs. Once you are finished with your cuts, you want to "collapse" your clip, returning each clip on the timeline to single angle clips. This is not a one-way road, as you can return to the multicam edit with the click of a button. You can still trim and edit these clips as well.

That is the simple overview on how to multicam edit. Remember, each program accomplishes this in a slightly different way, so go find where you purposely lost your instruction manuals and read the multicam edit chapter. And as we said in the beginning of this article, this is not the most intuitive process, so you may want to consider investing in a tutorial (see sidebar). Happy cutting.

Contributing editor Morgan Paar is a nomadic producer, shooter and editor, making documentaries worldwide.

Side Bar: Mulitcam Tutorials

We found both text and video tutorials for just about every program that offers multicam editing on the Internet. For professional, comprehensive learning tools, check out this partial list of video tutorials on both DVD and downloadable video.

  • Essentials of Multicam Editing [for Final Cut Pro] from Ripple Training
    21 minute, download, $20
    www.rippletraining.com
  • Part of the Mastering Liquid Series from Adita Video
    16 hours, DVD, $80
    www.adita.com
  • Part of the Adobe Production Studio Premium from Edit to Output from Total Training
    17 hours, DVD, $200
    www.totaltraining.com
  • Part of Adobe Premiere Pro 2 from Total Training
    17 hours, DVD, $250
    www.totaltraining.com
Side Bar: Programs With Multicam Editing
  • Apple (FCP Studio 5.1; $1,300)
  • AVID (Liquid $500, Liquid Pro $1000, Xpress Pro; $2,200)
  • Sony (Vegas; $525), additonal plug-ins needed
  • Adobe (Premiere Pro 2.0; $850)
  • Canopus (EDIUS 4.0; $700)
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