If you're in 30 Rock, follow the steps (and links) below to export video from Final Cut Pro to deliver to msnbc.com's FlipFactory for publication on the site. (Note: if you are not in 30 Rock, many of these instructions still apply, you'll just need to change where you're delivering the files to based on your bureau location - ask your msnbc.com counterpart for guidance.)
- Verify your piece meets our basic requirements here
- Mark your entire piece with an In and Out on your timeline
- Verify all needed V and A tracks are enabled in your timeline
- Export a , with filename following this convention, to a hard drive of your choosing that you can use later to move the files to dmc_exchange.
- Choose a frame from your piece that will act as its still thumbnail visual tease image on the site, and export matching this setup, with same filename base you used in Step 4, to the same drive you chose in Step 4.
- Verify your export - Using a different computer open the .mov file you exported from Final Cut. Double-click to open it in QuickTime Player, and verify it has both video and audio and is the whole intended piece (In to Out). Also verify your still frame is intended.
- Move both files to dmc_exchange to be picked up and processed by our FlipFactory. Choose your delivery folder based on aspect ratio:
4x3 content: dmc_exchange\MSNBC.com\Xcode-NoMask\4BY3
16x9 content: dmc_exchange\MSNBC.com\Xcode-NoMask\16BY9
Note: for dmc_exchange access permissions or problems, please contact the NBC Technical Media Managers. - Wait for FlipFactory to finish flipping the video. It will typically take roughly 1.3 to 1.5x real time for SD video. (e.g. a 2-minute piece is ready in 2.5 to 3 minutes; a 10-min. piece in 13-15 min.)
- Verify the finished files on dmc_exchange\MSNBC.com\QC
You must see both a .flv file and .asf file. Play the .asf to verify all is good. - Contact the relevant show producer(s) and/or msnbc.com producer(s) to let them know it's been flipped and tell them the filename.
If you need to make any changes to the piece after it's been flipped - export again, following the steps above, and use the same exact filename you used previously, overwriting the original file. Do not add additional labels (such as “new,” “rev,” “2,” or anything else) to the filename.
If your flip fails, please DO NOT send repeated exports of the same timeline, with no changes to it or your export settings, in hopes that it "will just work this time." Instead, please double-check your work in steps 1-7 above, paying particular attention to your QuickTime export settings, and make sure to verify the .mov file on a Windows PC this time.
- If you find and correct a mistake: place the fixed, exported .mov file in the correct folder on dmc_exchange and
- If you cannot find anything wrong, please consult your msnbc.com counterpart for troubleshooting help before proceeding further.
