After researching several workflows, directors John Requa and Glenn Ficarra decided to edit “Focus” — a major new Warner Bros. film starring Will Smith — entirely in Final Cut Pro X. The results were even better than they’d expected. Final Cut Pro X helped them deliver the movie on time and under budget, and it played and looked just as they’d envisioned it. “I’ve cut on all the other systems, and I can easily say I’m three times faster on Final Cut Pro X,” says Ficarra.
Showing posts with label February 25. Show all posts
Showing posts with label February 25. Show all posts
Tim Cook reportedly spills new key details about the Apple Watch
Posted by Unknown on 3:43 PM
Back when it was unveiled last fall, it seemed like the first-generation Apple Watch would disappointingly only be water resistant and not waterproof. Now a new report from iGen.fr indicates that the Apple Watch might be a lot more waterproof than we've been led to believe.
Google Expands Free Google Play Music Storage to 50,000 Songs [iOS Blog]
Posted by Unknown on 3:16 PM
Google today announced an update to its Google Play Music service, expanding the amount of available storage. Users can now store 50,000 songs in the cloud at no cost, up from 20,000.
Content stored within Google Play Music can be played on computers via Google's Music Manager app, on iPhones and iPads via the recently redesigned Google Play Music app, through a Chrome extension, through Chromecast, and on Android devices.
Google's Google Play Music storage does not require a subscription to Google Play Music to use it, making it free for all users.
Those interested in using Google's free music storage can access it by going to the Google Play Music website, skipping the subscription offer, and going straight to the music interface where there's an option to upload music. Content can be uploaded directly from an iTunes library or from any folder.
Google, of course, hopes users will opt-in to its $9.99 per month subscription music service when signing up for free music storage, which offers on-demand access to millions of songs much like Spotify or Beats Music.
With the boost in free storage space, Google Play Music gains a bit of a competitive advantage over Apple's iTunes Match service. iTunes Match costs $25 per year and allows users to store up to 25,000 songs in iCloud, but it gives users the benefit of accessing 256-Kbps AAC DRM-free quality music for any uploaded song that's also available in the iTunes Store.
For those in the Apple ecosystem, it's arguably easier to access songs on any device through iCloud using iTunes Match, but Google Play Music is a viable alternative as the company now has apps for the Mac, iPhone, and iPad available.
Content stored within Google Play Music can be played on computers via Google's Music Manager app, on iPhones and iPads via the recently redesigned Google Play Music app, through a Chrome extension, through Chromecast, and on Android devices.
Google's Google Play Music storage does not require a subscription to Google Play Music to use it, making it free for all users.
Those interested in using Google's free music storage can access it by going to the Google Play Music website, skipping the subscription offer, and going straight to the music interface where there's an option to upload music. Content can be uploaded directly from an iTunes library or from any folder.
Google, of course, hopes users will opt-in to its $9.99 per month subscription music service when signing up for free music storage, which offers on-demand access to millions of songs much like Spotify or Beats Music.
With the boost in free storage space, Google Play Music gains a bit of a competitive advantage over Apple's iTunes Match service. iTunes Match costs $25 per year and allows users to store up to 25,000 songs in iCloud, but it gives users the benefit of accessing 256-Kbps AAC DRM-free quality music for any uploaded song that's also available in the iTunes Store.
For those in the Apple ecosystem, it's arguably easier to access songs on any device through iCloud using iTunes Match, but Google Play Music is a viable alternative as the company now has apps for the Mac, iPhone, and iPad available.
OH REALLY? Apple's Jony Ive and Tesla's Elon Musk reportedly 'inseparable' at Oscars party
Posted by Unknown on 1:41 PM
With no shortage of reports claiming that Apple has grand plans to develop an electric car, a number of folks have naturally wondered why Apple doesn't just by Tesla. Tesla, after all, is largely viewed as the Apple of the auto industry and already sells what many consider to be the best car on the market. What's more, Tesla has already paid for and owns much of the costly infrastructure associated with car production.
The smartwatch market is dead, but Apple can save it
Posted by Unknown on 12:43 PM
When rumors that Apple was developing a smartwatch began circulating a few years ago, a number of competitors, in an effort to beat Apple to the punch, began releasing smartwatches of their own at a rapid clip. Samsung in particular proved to be extremely fond of this strategy, having released a number of varying smartwatches in just a few years time.
Now comes word that the smartwatch market Apple is poised to enter come April is ripe for a classic Apple takeover. With seemingly little competition, you might even say that the smartwatch market is Apple's to lose.
Apple Showcases Final Cut Pro X Usage in Production of Hollywood Film 'Focus'
Posted by Unknown on 12:16 PM
Just a few days before the release of the Hollywood romantic comedy film Focus , starring Will Smith and Margot Robbie, Apple has provided a behind-the-scenes look at how Final Cut Pro X was used to produce the movie. The feature page provides an in-depth profile of how Final Cut Pro X was used for editing, screen-ready effects and post-production.
Focus directors John Requa and Glenn Ficarra opted to use Apple's professional video editing software because they found it provided a fast and straightforward workflow. The software gave the directors fine-tuned control over all aspects of the film and provided the flexibility to easily move between editing on a Mac Pro and working with a MacBook Pro on location.
Final Cut Pro X was highly criticized by some professional video editors when it was released in 2011, but the directors of Focus told USA Today that they value how the software is easier to use and resembles the look of iMovie. These comments come amid criticism that Apple is dumbing down certain areas of OS X, including the removal of Aperture in favor of the all-new Photos for Mac app.
The film crew used Mac Pro-equipped on-set mobile post systems from a cutting-edge Los Angeles-based post-production company and used metadata markers to identify the best shots taken each day. Final Cut Pro X enabled this metadata to be searchable and handled full-resolution ProRes 4444 files with ease.
The full-length feature page on Apple's website goes into further details about how Final Cut Pro X was used throughout all stages of the film's production. The in-depth page also outlines other Apple products and third-party hardware used to make the film a reality, including the Mac Pro, iMac, MacBook Pro, iPad, iPhone, Logic Pro X, Motion 5, Xsan, Apogee Quartet, Quantel Pablo Rio system and more.
Final Cut Pro X is $299.99 on the Mac App Store [Direct Link].
Focus directors John Requa and Glenn Ficarra opted to use Apple's professional video editing software because they found it provided a fast and straightforward workflow. The software gave the directors fine-tuned control over all aspects of the film and provided the flexibility to easily move between editing on a Mac Pro and working with a MacBook Pro on location.
After researching several workflows, Requa and Ficarra decided to cut their major studio feature entirely in Final Cut Pro X. The results were even better than they’d expected. The movie came in on time and under budget, and it played and looked just as they’d envisioned it. “We got exactly the film we set out to make,” says Requa. “What I love about Final Cut Pro X is that it allowed me to be involved with, and in control of, every aspect of making our film.”
Final Cut Pro X was highly criticized by some professional video editors when it was released in 2011, but the directors of Focus told USA Today that they value how the software is easier to use and resembles the look of iMovie. These comments come amid criticism that Apple is dumbing down certain areas of OS X, including the removal of Aperture in favor of the all-new Photos for Mac app.
"Many editors called the new FCPX 'iMovie Lite,' when it was released, and not ready for the big leagues, but Ficarra says he likes that FCPX is easier to use, and that it's look and feel is akin to iMovie. 'We have a whole generation of kids learning on iMovie,' he says. 'They'll be familiar with this tool when they get into the real world.'"
The film crew used Mac Pro-equipped on-set mobile post systems from a cutting-edge Los Angeles-based post-production company and used metadata markers to identify the best shots taken each day. Final Cut Pro X enabled this metadata to be searchable and handled full-resolution ProRes 4444 files with ease.
Ficarra believes that the metadata advantage gave them unprecedented control over their story line. “I was able to say, ‘I need Will’s side in this take,’” he says. “And because even his improvisations were specially tagged, we were able to filter and come out with it. The upshot was just infinite searchability. We could change direction so fast and do multiple iterations. Sometimes while we were editing we felt as if we were actually rewriting the movie.”
The full-length feature page on Apple's website goes into further details about how Final Cut Pro X was used throughout all stages of the film's production. The in-depth page also outlines other Apple products and third-party hardware used to make the film a reality, including the Mac Pro, iMac, MacBook Pro, iPad, iPhone, Logic Pro X, Motion 5, Xsan, Apogee Quartet, Quantel Pablo Rio system and more.
Final Cut Pro X is $299.99 on the Mac App Store [Direct Link].
Major leak: Actual Galaxy S6 pictured for the first time ever
Posted by Unknown on 12:14 PM
Samsung has a lot riding on the Galaxy S6 and every leak we've seen about the device indicates that it's going to be the phone many Android fans have been wanting Samsung to release for years. With a reported full metal body, a major reduction in bloatware and a revamp of TouchWiz to make it less of a drain on performance, it sounds like Samsung has listened to users' major criticisms of its devices over the years and is prepared to deliver in a big way.
Apple Adds 'GasBuddy' and 'GreatSchools' as New Maps Data Partners
Posted by Unknown on 11:58 AM
Apple added several new companies to its Apple Maps Acknowledgements page over the course of the past month, possibly hinting at future plans for improvements to its mapping app. The Acknowledgements page lists all of the sources that provide information to Apple for the Maps app.New listings include GasBuddy/OpenStore and GreatSchools, two additions that AppleMapsMarketing speculates could lead to Maps upgrades like gas prices on gas station locations and school data for school locations. GasBuddy.com is a site that is designed to highlight local gas prices, helping users find the cheapest gas in any given area. GreatSchools.org is a community-based site that aggregates information about schools, including students enrolled, available programs, ratings, and academic test scores.
Apple has also added Yext to the page, a site that allows businesses to update their locations for multiple online sites at one time, but the company's partnership with Yext was previously known. The National Land Survey of Finland Topographic Database is also new, likely adding new maps data for the country.
Though Apple's acknowledgements page lists GasBuddy and GreatSchools, the above-mentioned data is not yet showing up in the Maps app, and it is unknown exactly when and if Apple will add gas price and school information to Maps. It's entirely possible that the company's partnerships with GasBuddy and GreatSchools have been established to bolster existing data on the locations of gas stations and schools.
Since Maps' rocky debut in 2012, Apple has made continued efforts to improve the app by hiring mapping experts around the world, fixing user-reported errors, and boosting points of interest through its data partners. Most recently, Apple added 10 new data sources to Maps, sometime around November of 2014.
Apple is rumored to be working on some major Maps improvements like transit directions and indoor mapping information, but the launch of these features seems to have been pushed back due to internal organizational issues. It is not known when Maps might see its next major update, but because there seems to be no sign of Maps upgrades in iOS 8.2 and iOS 8.3, it's possible Apple is saving the feature for iOS 9.
These are Samsung’s best Galaxy S6 teasers yet
Posted by Unknown on 11:58 AM
Samsung's Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge may very well be the most talked-about Android phones in years ahead of their upcoming debut at the annual Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona, Spain. The two Samsung flagship phones for the first half of 2015 are shaping up to be the Samsung phones we've been waiting for, with designs and premium materials to match their cutting-edge specs.
Samsung has issued several teasers in the lead-up to next week's unveiling, but its best one yet was just published on Wednesday.
INSANE VIDEO: Dash cam captures NJ house explosion
Posted by Unknown on 10:24 AM
Dash-mounted video cameras in police vehicles are extremely important tools for a number of obvious reasons. They also tend to capture crazy footage from time to time, also for obvious reasons — police officers are called upon to respond to situations where danger is imminent.
Sometimes dash cameras catch things that are even crazier than normal for police officers, and that footage often ends up finding its way to the Internet. Such is the case with a massive house explosion that was caught on camera on Tuesday.
Bitter Zune fan hilariously rants about how the device was way ahead of its time
Posted by Unknown on 10:00 AM
Back when dedicated digital music players were still a thing, the big battle was between Apple's iPod and Microsoft's Zune. The iPod won this battle handily, over course, although that doesn't mean the Zune was a bad product. In fact, the Zune really had a lot going for it that the iPod couldn't match.
Apple Expands Apple Watch Marketing Efforts With New Multi-Page Spread in Vogue Magazine
Posted by Unknown on 9:28 AM
Apple appears to be gearing up for a big marketing push for the Apple Watch ahead of its April launch, featuring the device on several magazine covers. The Apple Watch made its U.S. magazine cover debut earlier this month in the March issue of Self, and it's also being featured in a multi-page spread in the March issue of Vogue.
The Apple Watch is shown on multiple pages of the magazine, depicting different watch casings and band designs in clean ads that feature nothing but the Apple Watch itself. The images are actual size, giving readers an idea of how big the watch is in real life.
There's a heavy focus on Apple Watch bands, several of which are depicted in close up images that show off details on their construction. The Milanese Loop is featured on one page, while the navy-colored Leather Loop is shown on another page. The Apple Watch sport with a green band is also shown, as is the fitness interface for one of the Apple Watch's built-in fitness apps. Yet another page features the rose gold Apple Watch Edition with a Rose Gray Modern Buckle band.
It's likely that several other publications beyond Self and Vogue will be featuring the Apple Watch in the coming weeks as the device's April launch date approaches. Apple has targeted fashion and fitness markets thus far, and is expected to market the Apple Watch to a wide range of potential customers.
Up until this month, Apple's Apple Watch marketing has been somewhat reserved, limited to an appearance at Parisian fashion boutique Colette in September and the Vogue China cover in October, but the company appears prepared to begin more serious marketing efforts.
As we reported last month, Apple asked some developers creating content for the Apple Watch to have their apps completed by mid-February, possibly to have apps ready to go for marketing purposes or an upcoming event. Apple also invited select developers to its Cupertino headquarters to put the finishing touches on Apple Watch apps and it may be gearing up for a series of Apple Watch popup stores in various locations around the world.
The Apple Watch is shown on multiple pages of the magazine, depicting different watch casings and band designs in clean ads that feature nothing but the Apple Watch itself. The images are actual size, giving readers an idea of how big the watch is in real life.
There's a heavy focus on Apple Watch bands, several of which are depicted in close up images that show off details on their construction. The Milanese Loop is featured on one page, while the navy-colored Leather Loop is shown on another page. The Apple Watch sport with a green band is also shown, as is the fitness interface for one of the Apple Watch's built-in fitness apps. Yet another page features the rose gold Apple Watch Edition with a Rose Gray Modern Buckle band.
It's likely that several other publications beyond Self and Vogue will be featuring the Apple Watch in the coming weeks as the device's April launch date approaches. Apple has targeted fashion and fitness markets thus far, and is expected to market the Apple Watch to a wide range of potential customers.
Up until this month, Apple's Apple Watch marketing has been somewhat reserved, limited to an appearance at Parisian fashion boutique Colette in September and the Vogue China cover in October, but the company appears prepared to begin more serious marketing efforts.
As we reported last month, Apple asked some developers creating content for the Apple Watch to have their apps completed by mid-February, possibly to have apps ready to go for marketing purposes or an upcoming event. Apple also invited select developers to its Cupertino headquarters to put the finishing touches on Apple Watch apps and it may be gearing up for a series of Apple Watch popup stores in various locations around the world.
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A New Take on Feature Film Post-Production