Multicamera editing, clips crossfades?

Bigj wrote on 2/28/2009, 1:54 PM

I tried a forum search on this, but I must not be inputting the proper search terms.
While editing in multicamera mode I am attempting to crossfade between sections of clips yet cannot see the crossfades in this mode. To explain fully, my current project is a recital. I pull my .m2t clips in with a couple of Focus Enhancement FS-C's and align the clips with two video tracks. I record the audio seperately and typically edit that outside of Vegas and then align the audio after the video editing is done.

The issue that comes up is where I am removing dead video space between the song sets in the recital. Different performance groups come up and off the stage and I usually remove these sections out of the video tracks. Then, prior to going into multicamera editing, I line up all of the video clips and overlap them with timed crossfades to the next performance section. The challenge is that once I engage mulitcamera editing and Vegas combines the tracks to one video track, I no longer see my crossfades from one set of video clips to the next. Yes, this is an asthetic issue, but I like the crossfades rather than a cut in the video.
I'm curious if there is any way to edit these crossfades with in multcamera editing? Or a better way to proceed with these edits? I run into the same issue when inserting intro title media and closing credits. For reference, with my two video tracks, I usually place the title/credit media on video track.
I appreciate the feedback.

BigJ

Comments

Bigj wrote on 2/28/2009, 1:58 PM

Addition, I place my title/credit media on my 1st video track.

musicvid10 wrote on 2/28/2009, 2:39 PM

"The issue that comes up is where I am removing dead video space between the song sets in the recital. Different performance groups come up and off the stage and I usually remove these sections out of the video tracks. Then, prior to going into multicamera editing, I line up all of the video clips and overlap them with timed crossfades to the next performance section."

The workflow you're trying is exactly backwards from what works for me, in that you're trying to edit before enabling multitrack.

I lay out all my raw, unedited tracks, sync my 2nd camera track(s) below, and enable Multicamera Editing. There I do all my take changes, often in real time, and leaving in all the unwanted material. If I want to apply a preset crossfade during multicam editing, I merely Ctrl-Click at each take change.

Then, after I am all done and exit Multicamera Editing, I can work on the track any way I want, it behaves just like a normal edited track. Take chunks out using autoripple or grouping, use a title track, apply effects, change the take lengths, crossfades, whatever.

P.S. I'm sure you know you lose your original tracks when you use Multicamera Editing, so I always copy them to new tracks below and mute them, so they're there just in case I need something later . . .

mcvap wrote on 2/28/2009, 3:03 PM

for text add another video track above the video cam tracks.
so that track transparency "exspose" the video track below.

short tutorial for multicam editing from vasst :

Bigj wrote on 2/28/2009, 7:20 PM

Thank you both for your replies. I am going to review the tutorials and re-evaluate my procedures. I have clearly missed a few steps in the process and created work arounds instead of answering these questions earlier.

marks27 wrote on 2/28/2009, 9:14 PM

Hi Bigi,

A workflow i have used quite successfully for dance recitals is:

1. Insert and align all the videos and audio tracks on the timeline (i actually have two of these one each for acts I and II)

2. Save as a master originals project. This can serve as a back should you really screw something up in the multi-cam edit. (Saved my bacon several times)

3. Copy the master project to a separate Vegas project for each item

4. Work on each item project by opening that project, cutting away everything before and after that item. (then re-orient the clips, usually back closer to the start of the project.) Repeat for each item.

5. When all items are done, create a master final project, and then import each item's project file. Trim, align and crossfade as you will.

6. Render the project from the final master(s)

Just food for thought.

Ciao,

marks

P.S. for the record, my last recital was 2 x 3 cameras (am and pm performances), shot on Sony Z1's in HDV. So I was mostly cutting 6 cameras, plus additional audio tracks for musical theatre items, plus the original music tracks from CD's.

Bigj wrote on 3/2/2009, 7:09 PM

All these little gaps in the process. Thank you for the input. Lack of experience, plus a nagging need to move along quickly leads me to skipping steps. One of the main things I gleaned from your note is that I can add in these edits afterwards.
I'm going to try your workflow on this project and see how it goes.

Thanks again.