Help make this section useful (tips for riffing)

[mikelesq]

Question for Mac users:

I got a used Mac Mini (for a few different reasons), which I'm using side by side with my Windows desktop, so if nothing else I'll have two screens to work with, so I can have my script on one screen and the movie on the other.  A question for Mac users: 

I have been playing around with iMovie 11, and I just want to be sure I'm understanding a few things (basically to decide whether to use it for riffing).

1)  The ducking feature only ducks based on clips, not based on sounds, right?  So if you want to have ducking like Audacity does (triggering based on sound of a dominant track), you need to use GarageBand?
2)  If you set up the iMovie project to be able to import into GarageBand, it'll import your video audio and commentary audio as one track?  So there's no way to duck the original audio to the commentary without exporting video, and importing your commentary as a separate audio track?

Thanks.

Quickest way to do it is use Handbrake to make an mp4.
Create a video project in GarageBand
Import video, import riff
Adjust the riff so it syncs up and turn on ducking
Cut out sync audio if you choose
Export the project. Sometimes the project crashes on full quality but using the Apple TV setting works too.

Done.

The ducking isn't as good as you can do with Goldwave and other programs but it does the trick for a quick reauthor.

Thanks.  Huh, I didn't realize that GarageBand could export as video.  It almost seems like, for a short VOD, you're almost better off just doing everything in GarageBand and skipping iMovie altogether.  I think I need to play with it some more.

[k1]

Yeah. The one thing to keep in mind if its an iRiff you export and plan on uploading to the Rifftrax site it somehow gets weird after it transcodes or something. Basically it treats the original audio as the main audio track and the recorded riffs as another audio track.

It will play fine for you, but something happens when it's uploaded (or at least that used to be the case). The simple way to resolve that problem is to run the file through Handbrake and tell it to include both languages.

I posted instructions on that stuff somewhere on the forums a couple years ago.

Honestly for full length and shorts I don't bother with iMovie anymore. Only time I've used it for anything lately was to add in the "commercials" in our Hitchcock VOD

[mikelesq]

New article interviewing the rifftrax gang:

http://readwrite.com/2013/05/03/mst3k-crew-riffs-on-hollywood-rifftrax

They mention iRiffs, and as we have all noted, emphasize that a good microphone can make all the difference.

[Darth Geek]

It's cool they mention iRiffs, as well as the forums. Good to know Mike even remembers we're here.

[k1]

Words of wisdom: SAVE YOUR RIFF PROJECTS WITH SOMETHING LIKE DROPBOX.

With my Mac crapping itself at least I know I don't need to re-record the iRiff project(s) I'm working on.

Plus it makes it super convenient to work with other people who aren't close enough by to swing in and record stuff.

[Louis the Hedgehog]

Would you recommend widows movie maker or not?

[RoninFox]

Would you recommend widows movie maker or not?

I usually use it to make a sample.  I might use it more if I did more VOD riffs, but I'm still mainly doing mp3s.

[mikelesq]

Would you recommend widows movie maker or not?

I usually use it to make a sample.  I might use it more if I did more VOD riffs, but I'm still mainly doing mp3s.

The new Windows Movie Maker will export as MP4, which is a huge advantage over back when it would only export as wmv.  Also, it now does commentary recording, and has an autoduck feature.

Having said that, when you're recording audio, you can't monitor the original audio, so you have to rely solely on your script and the visual cues to get the timing right while recording (I think they were worried that users would get audio feedback through their speakers; fine, but at least give us the option; bury it in a menu somewhere, but let us hear while we record).  Also, the recording isn't one continual line; it's on the side, which may not be intuitive if you're used to other programs.  If neither of those are an issue, WMM does more than a lot of paid programs.

Also, if you're recording in something like Audacity then dropping in your audio, it should work fine as well.

Long story short, whatever fits your recording style, go for it.  The quality of the output is certainly not an issue.  Also, almost all other paid recording/editing software alternatives that you'd consider (Premiere, PowerDirector, Vegas Studio, etc.) have a free trial period, so play around, then make the cost/benefit call based on what works best for you.

[ElegantButler]

Fellow iRIFFers, please feel free to use this simple script-skeleton to help you with your future projects.
Best wishes and looking forward to hearing your iRiffs.

Please note that this does not include Sync lines. Just insert those wherever you like.

iRIFF SCRIPT:

This is a basic iRIFF script format to assist all my fellow iRiffers in setting up.
(note the number or riffs mentioned per section is just pulled out of thin air and can be adjusted to fit the iRIFFers' own personal RIFFing needs.)

iRIFFER INTRODUCTION:

(Insert your dialogue here)

In a moment I'm/We're going to ask you to pause this track and start your copy of [MOVIE]. When you see the [BRAND X LOGO] press play again. Three. Two. One. And Pause.

OPENING CREDITS:

CREDIT:
RIFF

CREDIT:
RIFF

CREDIT:
RIFF

SCENE I:

DIALOGUE/VISUAL:
RIFF:

DIALOGUE/VISUAL:
RIFF:

DIALOGUE/VISUAL:
RIFF:

SCENE II:

DIALOGUE/VISUAL:
RIFF:

DIALOGUE/VISUAL:
RIFF:

CLOSING CREDITS(for movies with stingers):

CREDIT:
RIFF

CREDIT:
RIFF

CREDIT:
RIFF

STINGER (if applicable):

DIALOGUE/VISUAL:
RIFF:`

[Louis the Hedgehog]

I have another question. You say we should wait for pauses most often for our own dialogue. But what if it's something where the people never slow down or shut up? That is usually the case with me.

[RoninFox]

I have another question. You say we should wait for pauses most often for our own dialogue. But what if it's something where the people never slow down or shut up? That is usually the case with me.

If you have no choice but to talk over dialog, then you have to judge for yourself what dialog is important and what dialog is filler.  Talk over the filler.

[NosferatusCoffin]

Exactly.

If the narrator/actor is being boring, or taking about something that is not important to the plot, just run over them.

However, if they say something stupid or absurd ("This is where the fish live") and keep on going, then let them have it.

[mikelesq]

Inpaint is the software of the day at giveawayoftheday.com:

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/

Like all the software there, it's free today only, so snag it quick.

In a nutshell, Inpaint is a way to try to get rid of an object in a picture.  It can be useful for making your poster, thumbnail, etc. (i.e, if you want to remove Tor Johnson's head so you can put your own on his body, etc.).

[mikelesq]

Wondershare Video Editor is the giveawayoftheday:

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/wondershare-video-editor-3-5-1/

I don't have any experience with it, but it looks like it does audio commentary recording, so it may be worth a try if you're looking for new video editing software, and it's free today only.

[NosferatusCoffin]

Thanks Mike.

I could really use something better than the old version of ULead I have here.