Hey folks. Since I'm really trying to figure our how video editing works, I asked a few questions to James Ziegelbauer, one of the leading video editors for UA and rolltide.com. After all, he does have a pretty good grasp about editing since he shoots and edits most of the content seen on those gigantic scoreboards in the stadium. :) Aside from having an awesome last name--which, by the way sounds like it would be a great German alcoholic beverage..hehe--James is a really cool dude who agreed to answer some of my questions about how he does it.
1. Give me a sense of what you do and what your role is for Crimson Tide Productions.
A: My role in crimson tide productions is the video editor for the big screens at the stadium, coliseum, foster, baseball, softball, and the soccer complex. I also handle the average day to day projects that get sent to us such as highlights and commercials for each sport.
2. If you could, take me through the process of editing a video.
A: Editing a video can be very simple or complicated depending on the content. You would first start by capturing and digitizing your footage from either tape/film or what we use and what the industry standard is becoming which is a P2 card. A P2 card is a solid state card that normally holds up to 64 gigs of footage, these cards are very expensive and are an important aspect to editing and workflow because it will digitize your footage as you shoot it, and the only process to the computer is simply transferring the footage to your computer editing software. You would then want to lay your main video footage down on the sequence timeline and add footage or cut footage accordingly to it. Once finished through editing you would export your final product to a DVD or digital video file.
3. As you know, technology is changing at a rapid pace. What are you all doing to keep up? Is there any new equipment you all are using to shoot/layout things with? Has the economic downturn effected the way you all shoot and edit?
A: Technology is definitely an issue when it comes to editing and video production. Everyone is trying to stay with the newest equipment or software. Software pretty much updates on an annual basis so we usually have to update or computers on an annual basis when it comes to software. Equipment on the other hand is more of an availability thing. We would be able to update or buy newer equipment when we have the resources to do so. We normally keep the equipment we currently use and update accordingly or add equipment accordingly. The economic downturn doesn't necessarily change the way we work, it just changes how we are able to keep up to date with the newer equipment and software that is released on a constant basis.
4. You told me that Final Cut Pro is the main program you all use to edit your projects. What are the advantages of using that program opposed to the linear programs used before? Are there any disadvantages in using Final Cut Pro? Is Final Cut Pro the only program you all use?
A: I don't believe Final cut pro has any disadvantages to linear editing, as far as I can tell there are only advantages. Linear editing is one of the slowest and most tedious processes when it comes to editing video. Non-linear editing with FCP allows the user to work faster and more efficiently by allowing the user to create specific cuts in their project the would not normally be able to have in linear editing. Non-linear editing basically allows the user to be more creative with their final product that what linear editing would allow. When it comes to editing FCP is a very inexpensive editing software when compared to other editing giants like AVID. Final cut allows the user to achieve the same product that a hollywood movie would allow at a more cost effect price.
5. What do you think are some of the biggest differences in shooting sports and news pieces?
A: Biggest difference in shooting sports and news pieces is that sports is more fast paced and quicker cuts when editing compared to daily news pieces.
6. How long does it usually take to edit one of your production pieces or does the time vary?
A: The length of a project when it comes to editing does vary when it comes to the specificity of the project as well. Mainly the length of the final product is the ultimate factor. Other factors include effects and transitions between clips.
7. What are some projects that you and the CTP team are working on right now?
A: We are currently working on newer intro videos and elements to our videos as well as new design and themes every year for each sport. We are currently working on a commercial for Preisters Pecans and the videos to be displayed during the Iron Bowl game this friday.
Thanks again for your help James! Peace out.
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