Matt's Collection

FCP X / Motion 5 Keyer

2011-06-27T14:40:00.000+10:00

The new KEYER filter in FCP X / Motion 5 is pretty good at pulling keys automatically but there are a lot of controls to tweak for that difficult key.

Click on the image for a more detailed look at the controls.

Chroma Key Backdrop

2011-05-23T11:41:00.010+10:00

With an increasing number of green screen shoots happening it was necessary to purchase a robust green screen that was cheap, easy to erect but yet allowed pulling a good key in Final Cut, Premiere Pro and After Effects. The green cloth used previously required tape to affix it to an office wall or to suspend it from a beam. Neither of which was always available. The cloth also suffered from creasing which didn't help in the compositing.

Today I assembled the backdrop and stand to see how much time to allow for assembly on location. So here is a photo of the kit shown next to an iPad for size comparison.

The Photoflex FlexDrop 2 (1.5m x 2.1m) with a reversible blue and green muslin cloth folds down to about 1m diameter in to a handy zippered carry bag. $120 from B&H Photo

The stand was puchased from the local Fotogenic website for $79.95 and came with 2 stands that extend to a max height of 2.8m, 4 connecting poles for adjusting the width to a maximum of 3.1m and a carry bag.

To support the backdrop so the longest side runs vertically I only needed to use 2 connecting poles attached to the stands. The backdrop uses velcro straps to attach to the stands. Again the iPad is shown for size comparison. Assembly time = 10 mins.

I'm still getting used to folding the backdrop but have a look at this YouTube video to see the fun involved.

History of London's TV Studios

2011-04-26T09:44:00.000+10:00

Martin Kempton has put together An incomplete history of London's television studios.

This cutaway of the BBC Television Centre at Shepherds Bush comes from his site.

Final Cut Pro X

2011-04-26T09:27:00.002+10:00

It seems these images of the new Final Cut Pro X UI are all over the internet so I thought I'd publish them as well.

Duck Soup

2011-04-26T09:08:00.000+10:00

The pond is getting greener. Another rainy day in Tallong.

Leaf Me Alone

2011-04-24T09:21:00.001+10:00

The oak tree is about to shed its leaves.

What A Waste

2011-04-21T12:15:00.003+10:00

Somewhere to put the garden waste.

Time For Bed

2011-04-19T17:00:00.002+10:00

The vegie patch is getting an overhaul. Time for some raised garden beds.