How to Organize multi file project

John222 wrote on 6/22/2013, 8:08 AM
I'm starting my first audition video reel. Basically an actress submitted her performance clips to me for editing into a few minute long showcase video. The clips are all different file types. She submitted dvd's with areas she wants clipped, youtube videos and hd camcorder files. There's also headshots..

Questions is how to best start. Should I just drag all thes files into vegas and go to town. Or should I works with all these clips individually and render them to a common format before dragging everything into the project for effects and editing.

Comments

Steve Grisetti wrote on 6/22/2013, 10:14 AM
Well, you're going to get somewhat variable quality no matter what you do. YouTube video, for instance, is YouTube video. It's never going to look as good as AVCHD.

The bigger issue is that you've got DVD video as well as hi-def video. How do you plan to publish and share your showcase video? On DVD? Online? That can help determine how you should set up your project.

That said, Movie Studio does a very good job of mixing formats. Just go to the Properties (under the Project menu) and, on the Video tab, ensure that Full Resolution Rendering Quality is set to Best, Deinterlace Method is set to Blend Fields and that you have the option checked to Adjust Source Media to Better Match Project or Render Settings.
John222 wrote on 6/22/2013, 1:06 PM
I'll be providing them with both a DVD and a best quality file for Vimeo.
Steve Grisetti wrote on 6/22/2013, 5:13 PM
The set your project properties up for standard definition DV widescreen.

If you do that and make sure your project's properties are set up as I recommended, you should be fine.
videoITguy wrote on 6/23/2013, 4:23 PM
No doubt you are in a project with everything having to be dumbed down to SD DVD. BUT, be careful... iF this meant to be a best of show reel - you will have to design everything in sequence carefully.

If you lead off with some horrible quality Utube stuff on the front-end you will Kill your client. Don't do that! Include only really awful quality in context, like a title lead-in before the Utube footage that names and dates it giving it a context.
John222 wrote on 6/23/2013, 7:45 PM
Actually I'm going to try to avoid showing the lower quality stuff in full screen. Will be using a lot of still images of play bills and still shots of the performance as a backdrop for smaller frame videos of lower resolution stuff.
musicvid10 wrote on 6/23/2013, 9:46 PM
"I'll be providing them with both a DVD and a best quality file for Vimeo."

If your source is DVD, then "best quality" is DVD (standard definition).
You can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

TOG62 wrote on 6/24/2013, 1:23 AM
The OP did mention HD camcorder files.
John222 wrote on 6/24/2013, 5:47 AM
Your not allowed to film or photograph theater performances. Thats why source material is the way it is. Sometimes people sneak a camcorder in to catch your scene or use a smart phone. Some of the material is HD and some is not. Some of the masterial is youtube video's that some unknow person uploaded. Stuff I have to just work around. "Best quality" means the best that I can do with what I have to work with.