Brainyhacks : four hours in two minutes

So I finally got round to editing the video for Brainyhacks.

I spent ages wrestling with AVCHD files, then using Adobe Premiere Pro, before finally deciding to make the jump to Final Cut Pro X after sitting in on the workshop at Apple Store.

So here it is – looks like fun doesn’t it?

I learnt a lot on the way, namely:

1. Have a shot list, don’t just record lots of footage and hope for the best.

2. Make sure you get vox-pops of people saying how much they enjoyed it (assuming they did).

3. Try to get a couple of cameras set up (I was told this by Ben from Disqo – after the event!), that way you can do decent cutaways.

4. Set up the mikes on stage to record directly as audio, instead of just relying on the camera’s mike – as trying to get rid of the background noise is a right pain.

5. Adobe Premiere is a dog to work with if you haven’t opened it for 3 years. Final Cut Pro X is so much easier to use as a ‘born-again’ editor, and the results are awesome.

6. Finally – make sure you keep checking the battery – you might notice I only managed to get 4 of the teams presentations in there – schoolboy error (or beer).