Multiple Versions

Tuesday, February 05, 2008 Filed in: Weekly Tip

So you’ve just completed your high definition masterpiece when you find out that you need to create a standard definition letterboxed version of the show. Thankfully, this is pretty easy inside Final Cut Pro.

Create a new sequence and load a new sequence preset (for example, Apple Pro Res 422 NTSC).
Take your high def sequence and nest it in the new one you just created.
If you’re asked if you want to conform this sequence to the new one, choose No.
Voila! You now have a letterboxed version of the show because FCP maintains aspect ratio of the original sequence its scale was reduced to fit in the 4x3 frame.

Additionally, after you nest the sequence you can open it in the Viewer and increase its scale to 70% (this will, of course, depend on your acquisition source—70% is derived from HDV footage). This will essentially edge crop the original HD sequence. Just be very careful—if the footage was not shot 4•3 safe—you could be cutting off important action and/or framing.

Like this tip? It comes from the book
Final Cut Studio On the Spot from Focal Press.