Apple Final Cut Pro 6 - Manual (Page 270)

Chapter 16 Logging Clips 269
IV
 During production, pay attention to the position of your tape.
Camcorders attempt to create continuous timecode by quickly reading the last
timecode number written on tape. The process of generating new timecode based
on the last stored timecode number is referred to as jam syncing timecode. However,
if the camcorder doesn’t see a timecode or video signal on the tape (for example, at
the beginning of a blank tape), the timecode counter is reset to zero.
DV camcorders tend to be fairly good at finding the last timecode number on tape
as long as the camcorder has not been powered off. If the camcorder is powered off,
the best solution is to rewind the tape by a second or two so that the camcorder can
jam sync the timecode already written on tape when you start recording again. In
theory, this technique can remedy most potential timecode problems. In practice,
however, it can be difficult to always remember to rewind, or you may rewind too far
and then spend time cueing your tape to make sure you don’t record over part of
the previous shot.
One helpful tip when using this technique is to record several additional seconds
well past the end of each shot. If your camcorder is powered off and on, you can
rewind a few seconds into the previous shot without worrying that you are going to
record over important footage.
Additional Sources for Logging Information
Not all logging information has to be created by the editor during post-production.
Some kinds of projects, such as feature films and episodic shows, use shooting scripts,
which break down the original screenplay into detailed scene numbers, camera angles,
and so on. This information is then translated into camera reports created by a camera
assistant during shooting. Timecode (video) or feet and frames (film) are written side by
side with notes about the shot: actor and camera positions, lighting setups, audio
information, notes about bad takes, and so on.
This information can be merged with post-production logging notes to help the editor
easily identify the reel and timecode numbers corresponding to each shot in the
movie. With the shooting script’s detailed information about scene and shot numbers
and the camera report information added to the log notes of your clips, it is much
easier to navigate your raw footage.
If several people are logging footage on a large project, it is important that they use
similar naming conventions, and that notes are made using consistent descriptions and
shorthand. For example, everyone should use the same abbreviations, such as “CU” for
close-up, “MOS” meaning “without sound”, and so on. It doesn’t matter what
conventions you use, as long as you are consistent.