Hi everyone, I'm an editor based in Vietnam, i've just starting out in the industry for 3 years.
Here's my story:
I've been working on indie projects and student film projects. And most, if not all projects, have the same problem, most people here are very neglect on how to hand over their data to the editor, or post production team in general.
Even on commercial shoots, normally a script supervisor will not needed, but there has to be someone to inform the editor on what files to use, and that's the 2nd AC's job as well. It will still be written on a piece of paper.
The script supervisor will hand over the editor written notes, sometimes it's tidy, sometimes it's not, and on them were a bunch of scribbled writing of which files and which takes to use when editing. I've been on projects, where the notes are so crappy and misinformed that I have to spend days going over the entire files (and essentially become my own script supervisor, I even built an app that helps me log takes, so I can fast track my editing).
For a short amount of time, i've been moonlighted as a QTake-op, and realized how much time saving and efficient this software could be for editors like me. For those that don't know, QTake is an established piece of software that can do logging and playback on the fly, instant chroma-keying and many more, that potentially saves a lot of time on set, and saving the post team from lots of headaches.
But QTake is expensive, a QTake Pro Lite license will run you $45/day. That's nearly 1M VND alone for the software, QTake-op fee not included, and not every productions can justify this costs.
But then life goes on, and I have projects to join in, and this what the script supervisor handed to me once that project wrapped:
The timecode notes from my most recent indie project.
It's messy, it's chaotic and it's a pain in the ass to sift through all those notes. That's where I built MartiniPlayback.
It’s a macOS-native tool designed to be a “Post-Production Bridge” for sets that need QTake-style intelligence, without the expensive overhead. And I believe, everyone working on set, or those that are linear to post-production such as VFX supervisors, script supervisors, editors,... deserves a better working environment and can be benefitted from a clean report. It all makes our lives easier.
Here’s what it currently does:
• Dual-Camera Stack: Centered 16:9 monitor stack for live previews (using AVFoundation/VideoToolbox).
Here are some cool features I’m working on for MartiniPlayback:
* Editor-Centric Logging: Fast and easy to use metadata entry for Scene/Shot/Take, Lens, and Performance notes.
* High-Speed Rating: A quick and easy 4-button rating system (X, 1★, 2★, 3★) for immediate evaluation during or after a take.
* Playback Takeover: Review takes instantly on your main monitors with independent frame-by-frame controls, and then you can “Back to Live” with just one click.
* Local-First Architecture: Everything stays on your machine, so you don’t need a reliable internet connection in a remote location.
* Reports!: This is the core of what i'm trying to do, to get myself and other editors a clean report to work on. A PDF report and I'm trying to implement XML/ALE handover so editors can immediately import metadata into their NLE software
Now, I’m facing a bit of a challenge: I used to have an AJA video router to patch signals to the Director and Client, but now I’m building a software-only version, and I’m trying to solve the Output problem in a clever way. Here are my ideas:
1. NDI Out: I’m thinking of broadcasting Cam A/B over a local Wi-Fi/Ethernet so the Director can watch on an iPad.
2. Build my own companion app: Similar to QTake Monitor, the app does what MartiniPlayback can do, but remotely, serves as a bridge for directors, clients and so on. It's gonna take time, and this is on my roadmap.
I’d love to hear from other VAOs, DITs, Video Engineers, Script Supervisors, Editors, Directors and Producers.
What do you think if you have a piece of software that can always deliver a clean shooting report, without having to pay a hefty fee. I've acknowledge Reeltime, it's Reeltime Lite license isn't exactly cheaper than QTake at all. And what solution could I utilize to send live footages to everyone on set? Other than the solutions i've listed above.
Thank you all for reading my post!
Edit: I forgot to mention that MartiniPlayback is designed to work with either: UVC-enabled video transmitter and receivers, or just your video Rx and a simple USB capture card, or video routers in general. As long as you can find a way to get the video feed to your Macbook. That's pretty much it!