Apple Cinema Tools 3 - Manual (Page 19)

Chapter 1 Before You Begin Your Project 19
Transferring Film to Video
In order to digitally edit your film, you need to transfer it to video so that it can be
captured by the computer. There are a few ways to do this, but an overriding
requirement is that there be a reliable way to match the film’s key numbers to the
edited video’s timecode. This relationship allows Cinema Tools to accurately calculate
specific key numbers based on each edit’s In and Out timecode values.
You also need to make decisions regarding film and video frame rates used during the
transfer. These affect the editing timebase and impact the accuracy of the cut list that
Cinema Tools generates.
Telecines
By far, the most common method of transferring film to video is to use a telecine. While
a telecine provides an excellent picture, for the purposes of Cinema Tools the more
important benefit is that it results in a locked relationship between the film and video,
with no drifting between them.
Telecines are typically gentler on the film and offer sophisticated color correction and
operational control as compared to film chains, described below. Another advantage is
that telecines can create video from the original camera negative—most other
methods require you to create a film positive (workprint) first. (While, from a budget
viewpoint, it may be a benefit not to create a workprint, they are generally created
anyway since they provide the best way to see the footage on a large screen and spot
any issues that might impact which takes you use. Even more importantly, they allow
you to test the cut list before working on the negative.)
In addition to providing a high-quality transfer, most modern telecines read the key
numbers from the film and can access the video recorder’s timecode generator,
burning in these numbers on the video output. An additional benefit of the telecine
transfer method is its ability to provide synchronized audio along with the video
output. It can control the audio source and burn in the audio timecode along with the
video timecode and the key numbers.
In most cases, telecines produce a log file that can provide the basis for the Cinema Tools
database. This allows you to automate capturing the video into the computer.
UP01101.Book Page 19 Thursday, March 10, 2005 3:16 PM