Video Editing 1 - Introduction to Avid Media Composer

Overview of Avid Media Composer

• Avid Media Composer is a leading editing tool used globally for different projects, including news, films, and streaming series.
• The program has a complex toolset, requiring extensive documentation (over 200 pages in two books) to cover fundamentals.
• It can seem overwhelming, but with guidance, it can be easy to start.

Purpose of the Video Series

• Created as an external resource for students of Professor Harris at Franciscan University.
• Aimed to address the lack of instructional content available online for Avid Media Composer certification.

Certification Goals

• Focus on obtaining the Avid Certified Specialist badge for MC101 and MC110.
• There are two badges: Specialist and Professional (Expert level is not available for Media Composer).
• The certification can enhance professional profiles on platforms like LinkedIn.
• Students can review the lessons for better understanding and preparation for the certification exam at the end of the semester.

Lesson Goals

1. Navigate the Avid Media Composer interface.
2. Customize the application settings.
3. Organize and prep media clips for editing.

Launching Avid Media Composer

• To launch, navigate to the application in your Mac launch pad and click to open.

Select Project Window Features

• Select Project Button: Access or create new projects.
• What's New Button: View updates, but not essential for beginners.
• Projects Tab: Shows existing projects on the system.
• New Project Tab: Create new projects.
• User Profile Menu: Customize user profiles for the application.
• Location Menu: Switch between different project directories (use public/shared documents).
• Browse Folder Icon: Select custom locations for projects.
• Project List: Displays current projects in the selected location.
• Project View: Adjust appearance of project lists (modify columns shown).

Understanding the Main Interface Windows

1. Bin Container: Contains project elements (bins, scripts, folders).
2. Composer Window: Displays source media (left) and edited sequence (right).
3. Timeline: Represents the project’s video tracks and audio.

Working with Bins

• Bins hold all project assets (videos, audio, sequences, etc.).
• Opening and closing bins can be done by double-clicking on bin icons.
• Create new bins with Command + N or right-clicking.
• Customize bin views (Text View, Frame View) as needed.

Frame View

• Displays representative frames for each clip in the bin.
• Useful for visual organization and selection.
• Ability to adjust frame sizes and representative frames.

Script View

• Combines Text and Frame view with an added comments field for notes.

Customizing the Interface

• Use workspaces to arrange the layout based on editing needs (editing, color, effects).
• Save customized workspaces to maintain configurations.
• Change bin display settings to suit preferences.

Auto Save Settings

• Adjust auto save intervals in the bin settings dialog box (default is 15 minutes).
• Consider how fast you edit and how much work you're willing to lose in case of a crash when setting intervals.

Ending a Session

• To exit, use the file exit option or keyboard shortcuts (Command + Q for Mac, Ctrl + Q for Windows).

Conclusion

• The lesson covers basic navigation, customization, interface understanding, and organization within Avid Media Composer.
• Encouragement to practice and utilize provided resources for better understanding.