How to work with Prores RAW in FCP X

Here’s the video:

[show_if has_tag=”24complete”]Download Video 1080p | 540p[/show_if]

[show_if does_not_have_tag=”24complete”]Video download links will be available right here after 24 hours of purchase.[/show_if]

Takeaway

Follow these steps:

  1. Open a new Library in Wide Gamut HDR
  2. Open a new Project. Then select the Project and click ‘Modify…’
  3. Make sure the color space is Wide Gamut HDR – Rec. 2020:
    1. Ignore the first one, Rec. 2020 only.
    2. Pick HLG for most projects, including SDR/Rec. 709.
    3. Pick PQ only if your final delivery is to the Dolby PQ standard.
  4. Make sure the white balance sliders are balanced for matching skin tones.
  5. Make sure exposure is balanced between shots.
  6. Color grade!

Color grading is beyond the scope of this guide.

Note:

Even though Apple updated FCP X (to 10.4.9) with support for Prores RAW controls (Exposure, ISO, WB), it is still not available for RAW footage from the Nikon Z6!

Most other cameras have made their information available to Apple, but for some reason Nikon haven’t. This means the RAW workflow hasn’t changed as of 29th August, 2020.

Author Bio
Photo of author
Sareesh Sudhakaran is a film director and award-winning cinematographer with over 24 years of experience. His second film, "Gin Ke Dus", was released in theaters in India in March 2024. As an educator, Sareesh walks the talk. His online courses help aspiring filmmakers realize their filmmaking dreams. Sareesh is also available for hire on your film!

2 thoughts on “How to work with Prores RAW in FCP X”

  1. Shot my first bit of ProRes RAW and created a Wide Gamut HDR 2020 HLG project for it.. including a shot of the X-Rite Color Checker Passport WB and color pallets (after setting the Z6 to set the WB under my LEDs) but not sure how that fits into the scheme of things?

    Reply
    • Resolve has this feature where you can color match to the Passport but I don’t think FCP-X has one. The DSC Labs One Shot chart I use is designed to calibrate with the waveform and vectorscope tools used in video.

      Reply

Leave a Comment