Post-Producer’s Perspective

Post Supervisor, Leslie Carney, chats with Cinedeck about her deliverables workflow experience using the File-based Insert Edit technology built into Cinedeck recorders. Leslie Carney has over 20-years of experience in television post-production. Working as post supervisor for MTV’s “Stranded with a Million Dollars” (airing Feb 21, 10pm), she recently delivered 10 one-hour episodes using Cinedeck and File-based Insert Edit. ‘Carney’ as she’s known to colleagues, was so impressed with her facility’s Cinedeck workflow (Blueprint Post) that she wanted to share her experience with us. “The show was challenging. It was shot over 40-days using 14 different types of cameras, including RoboCams and 4K Drones. We had to deal with a massive amount of media and all kinds of frame-rates and codecs,” said Carney. Carney comments, “Digital Delivery adds layers of complications that just didn’t exist with tape. For instance, although Avid MC accepts different frame-rates and codecs, any media not converted to the required specs will fail QC.” She adds, “A good example of this is black filler. On a previous project, editors would grab some filler and create a mix down. However, it was impossible to make sure EVERY editor used the same filler EVERY time for each export. And, there’s just no way of knowing there is a frame-rate issue in the file until it fails QC because differing framerates aren’t noted in the file’s metadata.” “This is where Cinedeck was a lifesaver. By using Cinedeck’s insert-edit workflow (pdf brochure), I never worried about mismatched framerates, an incorrect export setting or whether I’d have to start the export all over again if there was a crash. For each episode, we did a lay off to a Cinedeck ‘blacked’ file with a ‘baked-in’ preset of the correct codec, frame-rate, audio tracks and timecode using Avid MC’s Digital Cut Tool.” Like many shows, there were last minute B-roll shots or end credit changes that needed to be made. For this show, some of these changes needed to be made for shows that had already been delivered. Regarding last minute changes Carney notes, “With Cinedeck an assistant editor can simply punch in the change whether it’s a slate or an entire act. It’s a straightforward process and a big time-saver!” As a final comment Carney adds, “Because we used Cinedeck, none of the show’s challenges were ever an issue. Every show was ready to be delivered and passed QC! Lastly, we only needed ONE deck – Cinedeck. No more daily rentals of decks that are difficult to use and cost money each time you bring one in. I literally feel that Cinedeck is making me money.”

• About Leslie Carney Leslie Carney has worked as a Post Supervisor, Associate Producer, Sr. Director of Post, Post Manager & Lead/Finishing Editor. She has delivered hundreds of episodes and dozens of shows for networks like MTV, Discovery, Bravo, ABC Freeform, Nat Geo, A&E, History Channel, Speed Channel, & Travel Channel that include reality, scripted, competition, live sports, make-over, documentary, adventure, culture and life-style programming.