Multicam Editing

 

What is multicam editing? When you use multiple cameras for the same shot FCP makes if very easy to edit the multiple clips you have of the same shot. Here are the steps for this type of editing.

Synching the Multiple
1. Select the different clips that are of the same shot, use the shift key to select the multiple clips.
2. Right click and choose New Multicam Clip.
3. Be sure the dialogue box that pops up says Use Automatic Settings and then be sure to check the Use Audio for Synchronization.
4. You now have a mutlicam clip. Double click on the multicam clip, this will bring up the multicam editor.
5. In order to see all of the clips in the viewer go to Window > Viewer Display > Show Angles (shift + command + 7). This should now show all of your clips in the viewer.
6. If the different angles are not in synch you can move to the bottom multicam editor and select a clip. Use the , or . to just knudge the clips until they are in synch.

Performing a Multicam Edit - Switching Between Shot Angles
1. Be sure the Video Only editing button is selected.
2. Be sure all angles are displayed - Window > Viewer Display > Show Angles (shift + command + 7)
3. As you play the video click on the angle that you want to be displayed. As you do so FCP will automatically switch to the view you click on.

Refining Your Multicam Edit
1. Switching Shot Angles - in the main timeline right click on the clip you want to switch and select the view you want to replace it with by selecting the Active Video Angle.
2. Another way to change the current angle view is to park on a clip and open the angles viewer and option click on the angle you want.
3. To delete an angle repeat step 2 but this time don't option click, just click and it will remove the clip.
4. If you hover between shots you will see the roll tool which will allow you to make finer edits.
5. If you double click it will open the precision editor to make more precise edits.
6. If you want to remove a view you can delete it but be careful because you will be cutting the audio as well. Be careful with deleting angles.

Retiming your Multicam Shot
1. If FCP did not synch all of your different shots correctly you may need to manually synch a shot. Double click on the multicam clip to open up the multicam editor in the main timeline.
2. Select the clip that is not in synch. Expand the audio so you can see the audio clip of all clips.
3. Move the clip that is not in synch until the audio synchs up perfectly. Use the , and . keys to move the clip one frame at a time until the synch is perfect.
4.

M
Q - to add a selected clip as a connected clip to the primary storyline.
Command + G to create a secondary storyline
Shift + Command + G to break apart a secondary storyline