Sequence VS Nesting at DVinfo.net

Jay Kavi · February 6th, 2008, 02:43 AM

Hey Folks,

So I usually cut in FCP

For the longest time i would simply edit projects in one single timeline (10-20 minute shorts), but eventually that got old. Early last year i started editing each scene of a project in a seperate sequence in then adding them together for the complete film. Recently a friend of mine introduced me to "nesting" clips together. Are there any benefits to nesting files together instead of cutting them together in a seperate sequence?

- Jay

Chris Harris · February 6th, 2008, 02:56 AM

I don't really see the point in that. It seems like the same amount of work to me. The only time I nest is when I'm putting together different projects I've done in the past.

If there is a good reason though, I'd love to hear it. Maybe someone else could chime in?

Eric Dyer · February 6th, 2008, 04:20 AM

try adding a blur edges around an entire quad split screen effect. It will put blur around all 4 shots. If you nest it, the blur will be around the entire frame of video; as oppose to all shots in the frame.

Typically long-form scenes are edited in individual sequences as well, and later nested in a master timeline. Hope this helps.

*e

Mike Hanlon · February 6th, 2008, 04:10 PM

I use nesting only when compositing tracks and adding certain effects to the whole, as described by Eric. For example, I may have a composite of video tracks that I need to apply an affect to such that I want the affect to be applied to the composite as a whole (as if it was a single track). Something as simple as fading in/out can benefit from nesting a composite this way because you usually get different (pronounced "bad") results fading composited tracks individually than when you do when done as a nested sequence. Theoretically you could put your composite into a "regular" sequence to achieve the same result.

I use sequences to break up longer pieces into manageable parts, again, as Eric describes.

Mike.

William Hohauser · February 6th, 2008, 06:23 PM

Very complex long form projects can be better managed if you edit in "chapters". Sort of like reels in feature films. This way problems can be isolated within sequences. I try to make sure that the breakpoints between chapters is an easy cut or a fade out of some sort. Motion pictures still use this method.

There are a few drawbacks. Changing the length of a chapter can cause problems with the master sequence. Shortening usually is fine but lengthening a sequence can actually crash the program. Putting nested sequences on separate tracks can prevent this. An alternate method is to create reference QuickTime files from each chapter.

Victor Kellar · February 6th, 2008, 06:42 PM

I nest a great deal

I nest for composited effects as described above. We wanted a sequence with a group of small clips crawling across the top of the screen and a group crawling the bottom in the opposite direction with an anim and titles in the background. I created one sequence for the top clips and one for the bottom. Made a third sequence with the anim then nested the two crawls and put the titles over that. I find this much easier to manage than doing it all in one sequence

I also nest my entire movie. For my wedding videos I basically have everything broke down into scenes, groom house, bride house, church, park etc. Then I nest them. I just find it much easier to manage, especially since changes are a way a life.

Yes, if I make significant changes to the individual sequences it effects the master but I can rebuild that master sequence in seconds, I just drop everthing in sequentially

Mostly though, I like cutting sequences to take advantage of the non linear part of non linear editing. Often, when I begin a project I may not have all the info I need, like dates and titles for early sequences so I can begin working on the reception while waiting for that info

Finally, I have a busy work environment and have an assistant who helps me out. He can begin working on the reception of one wedding (on his workstation) while I finish up another. Then I can take his project and work on the more complex parts of it anytime he is not here.

It took me a while to factor sequences and nesting into my workflow but I can honestly say it has increased my productivity and management

February 6th, 2008, 02:43 AM	#1
Jay Kavi Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 243	Sequence VS Nesting Hey Folks, So I usually cut in FCP For the longest time i would simply edit projects in one single timeline (10-20 minute shorts), but eventually that got old. Early last year i started editing each scene of a project in a seperate sequence in then adding them together for the complete film. Recently a friend of mine introduced me to "nesting" clips together. Are there any benefits to nesting files together instead of cutting them together in a seperate sequence? - Jay

February 6th, 2008, 04:20 AM	#3
Eric Dyer Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CA Posts: 55	Nesting FX/ Scenes try adding a blur edges around an entire quad split screen effect. It will put blur around all 4 shots. If you nest it, the blur will be around the entire frame of video; as oppose to all shots in the frame. Typically long-form scenes are edited in individual sequences as well, and later nested in a master timeline. Hope this helps. *e

February 6th, 2008, 04:10 PM	#4
Mike Hanlon Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 180	I use nesting only when compositing tracks and adding certain effects to the whole, as described by Eric. For example, I may have a composite of video tracks that I need to apply an affect to such that I want the affect to be applied to the composite as a whole (as if it was a single track). Something as simple as fading in/out can benefit from nesting a composite this way because you usually get different (pronounced "bad") results fading composited tracks individually than when you do when done as a nested sequence. Theoretically you could put your composite into a "regular" sequence to achieve the same result. I use sequences to break up longer pieces into manageable parts, again, as Eric describes. Mike. __________________ VM Productions

February 6th, 2008, 06:23 PM	#5
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Very complex long form projects can be better managed if you edit in "chapters". Sort of like reels in feature films. This way problems can be isolated within sequences. I try to make sure that the breakpoints between chapters is an easy cut or a fade out of some sort. Motion pictures still use this method. There are a few drawbacks. Changing the length of a chapter can cause problems with the master sequence. Shortening usually is fine but lengthening a sequence can actually crash the program. Putting nested sequences on separate tracks can prevent this. An alternate method is to create reference QuickTime files from each chapter. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

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February 6th, 2008, 02:56 AM	#2
Chris Harris Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 487	I don't really see the point in that. It seems like the same amount of work to me. The only time I nest is when I'm putting together different projects I've done in the past. If there is a good reason though, I'd love to hear it. Maybe someone else could chime in?

February 6th, 2008, 06:42 PM	#6
Victor Kellar Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada Posts: 239	I nest a great deal I nest for composited effects as described above. We wanted a sequence with a group of small clips crawling across the top of the screen and a group crawling the bottom in the opposite direction with an anim and titles in the background. I created one sequence for the top clips and one for the bottom. Made a third sequence with the anim then nested the two crawls and put the titles over that. I find this much easier to manage than doing it all in one sequence I also nest my entire movie. For my wedding videos I basically have everything broke down into scenes, groom house, bride house, church, park etc. Then I nest them. I just find it much easier to manage, especially since changes are a way a life. Yes, if I make significant changes to the individual sequences it effects the master but I can rebuild that master sequence in seconds, I just drop everthing in sequentially Mostly though, I like cutting sequences to take advantage of the non linear part of non linear editing. Often, when I begin a project I may not have all the info I need, like dates and titles for early sequences so I can begin working on the reception while waiting for that info Finally, I have a busy work environment and have an assistant who helps me out. He can begin working on the reception of one wedding (on his workstation) while I finish up another. Then I can take his project and work on the more complex parts of it anytime he is not here. It took me a while to factor sequences and nesting into my workflow but I can honestly say it has increased my productivity and management