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Tips for Color Correcting in Final Cut Pro
In general, color correcting in Final Cut Pro doesn’t require a lot of preparation. Still, there
are a few steps you can take to make things easier.
• Move all video clips that aren’t being superimposed as part of an effect or compositing
operation down to track V1. This action eliminates unused media from your program
and makes it easier, organizationally, to work in the Timeline.
• Use the Clip Keyframes control to display the filters bar and motion bar in the Timeline
to make it easier to keep track of which clips have filters applied to them, and which
ones don’t, as you work your way through the program.
• Put all of the filters that you use most often into the Favorites bin and open the bin in
its own tab. This saves time and eliminates the need to constantly search for the color
correction filters you use most often.
• Don’t forget that there’s a dedicated Color Correction window layout that opens a
series of video scopes to help you evaluate your clips as you make your adjustments.
After you finish color correcting your program in Final Cut Pro, you follow the usual steps
to render and output your program. For more information about color correction in
Final Cut Pro, see the Final Cut Pro documentation.
Sending a Project to Color
If you want to do sophisticated color correction and you’re properly equipped with a
compatible system, a color-critical monitor, and the appropriate viewing environment
necessary for doing this specialized task, you’ll want to integrate Color into your
post-production workflow. Color gives you precise control over the look of your project
by providing flexible tools and an efficient workspace in which to manipulate the contrast,
color, and geometry of each shot in your program.
The Final Cut Pro–to–Color roundtrip works in a very specific way.
Stage 1: Preparing Your Sequence
Final Cut Pro–to–Color roundtrips work best when you spend time preparing your
sequence first. In particular, there are certain effects for which Color has only limited
compatibility, and reorganizing your sequence up front may save you frustration later.
Stage 2: Sending Your Sequence to Color
The Send To Color command in Final Cut Pro uses XML to convert your edited Final Cut Pro
sequence to a Color project. You can send only entire sequences to Color, not individual
clips.
86 Chapter 5 Finishing