When planning a workflow for a long form video, like a film, documentary, or the like, the following is typically employed:
- Create a project: you must first create a project, and then save it prior to importing footage.
- Create a Production: You can also create a Production if you foresee that the project may need to grow from a single project file into a series of more manageable project files for file handling and collaboration with others.
- A long form video might require sharing the project with assistant editors, VFX creators, audio post editors, etc.
- Legacy project sharing workflows for feature film editors and assistant editors is here: Feature Film Workflows. Some of this information is still of value as Productions is an expansion of the original projet sharing workflow used by Hollywood feature film editors, such as, the Coen Brothers.
- Import Footage: there are three different scenarios for importing footage for a long form video project.
- If the media consists of standalone files, use File > Import, or just drag files into the Project panel from Finder or Explorer.
- Use Media Browser to any import card based media, RED files, Sony card based cameras, XDCAM footage, etc.
- Use Media Browser to create proxies or transcode footage while ingesting, depending on your workflow. If you want to create proxies and transcodes, it will take a separate pass through Media Encoder. This pass is sometimes necessary to generate footage for dailies. It should be said that this media can be ingested with watermarks, burned in timecode, LUTs, clip name, and many other options required by large productions.
- Organize Footage: using bins can assist in keeping a large project organized. There is now a special view in bins called "Freeform View" you may find handy for organizing dialog scenes or B-roll.
- Edit Footage: edit with adjusted UI for compressed footage (1/2 resolution, High Quality switched off, etc.). Use standard editing techniques. It is important that your footage is on drives fast enough to spring to life quickly upon pressing the L key.
- Export the finished program: use customized export settings, or create a preset for export if the provided stock presets do not provide the output settings you need for the file.
In devising a workflow for a long form video, feel free to add details to each step. All productions are different.
A Typical Long Form Video
The following is typically the case with these types of videos:
- Footage files are large, difficult to edit with, and must be dealt with either in the user interface, the footage itself, or both things, before beginning to edit. See Dealing with Highly Compressed Source Footage Before Editing.
- Programs are color and audio intensive with lots of titles, graphics, effects, and color grading.
- Collaboration: Working with others is commonplace.
- Deadline Oriented: A long form project should have time constraints and physical goals attached to the project. For example, if you are a filmmaker, you've got to get the content ready to meet deadlines for delivery for screenings, film festivals, etc.
See this video:
See also: Ingest and Proxy Workflow
Create a project
You must first create a project, create a project and then save it prior to importing footage.
You can also create a Production: Create a Production:
Importing and Organizing Footage
In upcoming steps, you'll learn more about the specifics of importing footage and organizing it prior to editing. While merely planning the workflow, not much more is needed to be known ahead of time other than, yes, it will be necessary to import the footage properly. For details, see Import Footage.
Organizing Footage
It is optional but ideal to also organize the footage into relevant bins before starting the edit. That way, you can stay focused on the task at hand while editing. See Organize Footage.
Editing Footage
As part the editing session, you will be adding titles, effects, graphics, audio sweetening and color grading so prepare to add these to your workflow plan. It might be a wise idea to think about the kinds of effects, titles, and color grades you might be using. Brush up on any techniques you are not keen on to help prep you for these steps. See Edit Footage.
Compressing and Uploading the Finished Program
In planning for uploading the finished program, it is important to evaluate the kind of file you will need for the end result before even beginning. Is your film going to be viewed in 2K or 4K? Making this decision up front is pretty crucial. In fact, you should probably consider how your film is going to be viewed before you even shoot one frame of video. If you intend for your audience to view your videos in 4K, it might be advantageous to shoot in 4K, to edit in 4K (or using HD sized proxies), and to upload 4K. See Export Footage.
This concludes steps to take for planning an editing workflow for long form videos.
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