Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
With the use of a simple shape mask and a few exposure adjustments, we've managed to give the house in our
shot a really menacing look, but you'll also need to make similar adjustments to the rest of the shots in the
scene to keep the scene's look consistent. To delete a color mask or shape mask, simply select it in the Inspector
and press the Delete key. Generally, when you apply a shape mask to an image, the subject of the shot will more
than likely be moving, resulting in the subject drifting in and out of the shape. You can get around this by using
keyframes to animate the shape mask along with the movement of the subject. To learn more about animating
with keyframes, see Chapter 14.
Color masks and shape masks often are used together in the same shot. An example of this would be when you
want to change the color of a single object but the same color exists in other areas of the shot. In this case, you
would use a color mask to isolate the color that you want to change and a shape mask to conceal the areas that
you want to remain unaffected. When using multiple Corrections, keep in mind that their stacking order in the
Inspector will have an impact on the final image. To change the order of any Corrections in the Inspector,
simply select a Correction and drag it up or down to a new position in the Inspector.
The Pranks Final Cut Project available on the DVD has been specially color-graded for the topic by colorist
John McMullin. Serious color work is performed using the highest quality files available, while monitoring on a
properly calibrated broadcast monitor. However, for the purposes of this topic, John has had to use ProRes
Proxy files due to space limitations of the DVD. Use this Project to study his techniques by examining the Col-
or Board to see the adjustments he made. Notice how John used shape masks to create interesting vignettes and
how he brought down the blacks throughout the movie so that the shots look richer.
Adding Titles and Credits
Most of the projects you'll work on will require on-screen text in some form. You may want to use text to create
the opening titles for your movie, provide on-screen subtitles when a different language is spoken, or as a lower
third to identify an interview subject in a documentary. Final Cut Pro comes with numerous prebuilt titles, many
with animated elements or backgrounds, ready for you to use in your projects. These can be customized further
in the Inspector to suit the needs of your movie.
Working with titles
To see the prebuilt titles that are available, click the Title Browser button in the Media Browser area of the Tool-
bar or choose Window
⇒
Media Browser
⇒
Titles. The Title Browser window opens with the titles arranged in
categories such as Bumper/Opener, Credits, and Lower Thirds. Skimming over the title thumbnails allows you
to preview each title in the Viewer, just as you can with transitions and effects.
To apply a title at the start of the playhead position in the Timeline, simply double-click a thumbnail in the Title
Browser or drag it directly over the clip. A purple title clip connects above the clip in the Timeline and can be
moved or trimmed just like a regular Connected clip (see Figure 15.12). Titles with black backgrounds superim-
pose the text over the clip that they connect to, but you also can place a title between clips in the Timeline if you
prefer to display the text full frame without superimposing it over an image.
