30 Frame Project Import into 24p


Overview

With the release of v.11, 30 frame NTSC matchback projects can create a 24 frame EDL that can be imported into a 24p project. This allows both sequences and source media to be exported, digitized and relinked.

It is assumed that there will be a +/-1 frame adjustment due to the frame rate differences between the 30 and 24 frame sequences. This is the same issue associated with cutting motion picture negative from a 30 frame matchback project. The only difference is that a 24 frame timecode base is being used instead of KeyKode. Please go here for more information on matchback.

Process

As stated above, the 30 frame project needs to be "matchback". It does not matter whether the project is 16mm or 35mm as long as you have access to the "24TC" column. The 24 frame timecode will be used as the common denominator between the two projects. And because of this, only sequences with straight cuts will be more successful. Dissolves can have some issues as well, so keep it to just cuts for now.

  1. If you want sources, highlight all master clips associated with the sequence and export an ALE file. Make sure the bin view has all the column headings and information you will want to have in the 24p project. The minimum will be <Tape> <Start> <End> <KN Start> <Pullin> <Name>
  2. Next, highlight the <Start> column for all associated master clips used in the sequence. This can be done by using "media relatives" or put the sequence into an empty bin, go to "show bin display" and select "reference clips" and check the box for "master clips."
  3. Once the <Start> column has been highlighted, perform a "duplicate column" command by either selecting "command-D" (Mac) or "control-D" (Windows). A new pop up dialogue will appear with a list of column headings. Scroll down until you see "TC24". Select this column heading.
  4. During the copy/paste process, a 30/.24 conversion will take place. This is the same process as creating a 24 frame EDL.
  5. Create EDL as per link above.
  6. Create or open the 24p project. With EDL Manager open, open the 24 frame EDL. Make sure you click the appropriate settings for 24 frame EDL and NTSC when requested. Click on the icon to move the sequence back to the Media Composer or Film Composer. Select a new bin that is empty to better keep track of the sequence.
  7. Once imported, you will see a sequence with as many master clips as sources. Delete all the master clips.
  8. Import the ALE file from Step #1 into the same bin.
  9. Highlight the sequence and all master clips.
  10. Go to the Modify pulldown phase" menu selection in the "Clip" menu and select "A" - 00:00:00:00
  11. Then go to "Relink" and choose "tape name" and "timecode".
  12. Sequence will relink to the master clips. If the ALE file was batch digitized beforehand, the sequence will point to the media.
  13. The user can also choose to just digitize the sequence as well. The sequence in the timeline will inherit all metadata associated with the ALE file: clip name, KeyKode, camera roll , etc. Everything that was original exported in the ALE file at the start of the process.
  14. If the media was already in the 24p project, make sure you put those master clips into the same bin as the imported EDL/Sequence and start with step #10.

If the sequence does not relink to the clips, make sure that the TAPE NAMES in the EDL are the same as the TAPE NAME in the ALE or the clips already in the project. If there is a mismatch, then the clips will not relink. Sometimes an EDL tape name will be truncated if it is too long for the EDL type being used. I suggest using a CMX3600 EDL for this process.