Got Version 7.1? Then just download the the Victory Studios EDL Template!
When editing a project on the Avid Media Composer, certain steps must be taken to deliver a high quality edit list. The most important of these steps is to designate 4 digit alphanumeric reel names when digitizing If you fail to use proper reel names, you may encounter severe difficulties in on-line!
Once you have a sequence ready for final editing, you can then use the EDL Manager to output your final EDL. Please remember that each video track must have it's own EDL, and only one EDL needs to have the audio tracks. You should always bring a copy of your final sequence in a bin to the session. That allows us to use our Avid's to output a correct EDL if need be.
To output an Edit Decision List (EDL) for use at American, you should insure that the following choices are made on the Avid. We prefer to get a CMX B-Roll indication, A-Mode EDL on a DOS disk with clip names and no black events. Here’s how to accomplish this on an Avid:
"CMX_3600" should be chosen under the FORMAT pull down menu. "A (Record In)" should be chosen for SORT MODE. Under DUPE LIST, select the "Multiple (B-Rolls)" option, with STARTING EVENT set to "1", then click OK. Under OPTIMIZATION, select "Optimize EDL". Make all other selections as shown below.
We've compiled this Avid screen shot to help with your selections:
The EDL can now be saved. We prefer IBM formatted 3.5" High Density disks, but we can accept 3.5" Macintosh High Density disks. To format an IBM disk in a Macintosh, insert a floppy disk. Once the floppy shows up on the Desktop, click on the floppy and select SPECIAL, ERASE DISK. From the pop up screen, name your disk as desired. Select "DOS 1.4 MB" from the FORMAT area. Click on ERASE. If DOS is not an option under FORMAT, use a Macintosh High Density disk. Double density Mac disks will not work!
When saving your edit list please use the DOS syntax of 8 alphanumeric characters without spaces followed by ".EDL". The following are valid names; TEST.EDL, VER6a.EDL, SAM39581.EDL and 2304.EDL.
the Victory Studios would prefer to receive a test edit list from the off-line system in advance of the actual session to verify settings and check that the list is loading correctly. Every system has it’s own quirks about EDL’s. We would rather identify and resolve these issues before your session.
Our edit controllers can re-sort your list in any order desired. For this reason, we prefer to receive a list that is sorted A-Mode. If you must pre-sort your list in a different manner, simply output multiple lists, with at least one sorted A-Mode, as shown above. In addition, the Victory Studios also makes extensive use of advanced EDL tools, such as EDL Xpress and Pre!Reader to optimize your list for the fastest possible assembly time. Contact your editor for more information about auto-assembly options.
As a general rule of thumb, if you are unsure about an option regarding the EDL, output the list in both possible modes. Be sure to keep track of your choices and the corresponding file names!
Once we have your edit list loaded at American Production Services, we will utilize our specialized edit list tools to convert your list to work as well as possible. In particular, we use the Software Grille Pre!Reader EDL optimization program to process your EDL for an interleaved D-Mode assembly, where possible.
Remember, it is always best if we get the EDL in advance of the session. This will allow us to verify that the list will work in our suites, and mend it if necessary.