The beginning of this series is Drama Tech 101.

Okay so you have seen the best in the business I suppose with Final Cut Pro. But now I will show you my choice for video editing software. I have created all of my videos on this software, or earlier versions of it (Movie Edit Pro 11, 10, etc…)

What I like about Movie Edit Pro

PRICE – It is just 59.99 (as of 10/26/07) new in a box or  $49.99 – internet download for immediate use. Compare that to 1299.00 for Final Cut Pro. You actually get a lot for 59.99, some of the features are only available on programs ranging in to multiple hundreds of dollars.

INTERFACE - I love the interface of MEP 12. It has the ever useful Timeline editing mode. It’s main interface has three sections, the timeline, monitor to view your work and media pool section to grab your photos, video’s and audio tracks.

 FUNCTIONALITY - for the price there is not a better deal on the market. MEP 12has titles, transitions, Video effects including green-screening options, video adjustment controls for color and brightness, etc.., and audio controls. It even has HD support, as well as a surround sound generator.

 Working with audio tracks is amazingly simple. You just click and drag then you can shorten or copy. You can also add a surround generator with a right click. Interfaces are easy to understand for the novice or seasoned professional alike. Multiple audio tracks are available to work with, as there are 16 individual track lines in the interface.This allows you to really experiment with sound in a way that only programs ranging in the hundreds of dollars can. Working with photos is just as easy.

There are there main tabs of MEP 12 :RECORD, EDIT, and BURN

But video, now there is a bright moment for MEP 12. You can capture video directly from your camcorder in the RECORDmode, HD or DV. One of the few lesser priced programs that actually did this at first set up with out a myriad of adjustments to preset. Here, I just plug in a firewire and capture. Or you can import a ready-made audio file as it recognizes AVI, MPEG & Quicktime formats.

From the EDITINGtab, you can then work directly with a timeline, and adjust your monitor to various sizes including HD.

The timeline is pictured here and you can see the monitor and media poll sections. Again, this is an efficient interface  from which to work.

 

 Then there is the editing feature of VIDEO EFFECTS that I most enjoy…..

From this dialog box (pictured left) you have several effects from sand, to fisheye, to motion – a crazy looking ethereal effect. I used this effect to symbolize the power coming from CHRIST in a demon encounter, giving a rare glimpse into the “spiritual” side. This gave the audience a new vision of WHO JESUS really is. Incredible function of this software!.

The editing feature also allows you to key out green, blue, white or black colors with fading ranges to get just the touch you are looking for.

The BURN tab allows you to convert your work into DVD formats with ready-made or customizable DVD Menu screens, so that your work will function as Quality Store-Bought DVD’s. Perfect for sharing.

But ultimately the homerun function for me is being able to convert videos I created to an AVI or MPEG file for use with EasyWorship. The  software on our church computer and projector, which allows me to use these videos in a church drama. 

Or I can convert it to Quicktime for upload to Youtube.com.

Try Magix Edit Pro 12 and see if you like it as much as I have.

Til Later,

Stormshelter.