Rembrand supports numerous ways for creators to upload and download videos from the Rembrand Platform. For creators who do a lot of post-production editing in Final Cut Pro, with effects, picture-in-picture, and text overlays, the best way to upload and download files with Rembrand is through the use of project files.
Project files containing the original footage are needed to effectively integrate virtual product placement. These files enable Rembrand to seamlessly insert products into the base video content, independently from other elements like picture-in-picture frames, transitions, effects, and text overlays. This approach empowers your team to retain full control over the various video layers while Rembrand seamlessly incorporates products into the main footage. It's important to note that providing a project file with only a singular edited video, similar to sending a .mp4 file, limits Rembrand's ability to modify content with transitions, effects, or overlays.
While the below steps are still accurate and effective, Rembrand now has a Final Cut Pro app to expedite this process! Learn how to Install Rembrand's Final Cut Pro App.
8 Steps to Manually Export a Final Cut Pro project file with associated Media Files:
Takes about 5 minutes to complete.
Open Final Cut Pro > navigate to the the Libraries sidebar on the top left (the clapboard icon with the star) > select the ProjectName that you want to export
Choose File > Copy Project to Library > New Library
Type any New File Name and choose Where to save it in a folder that you will remember, then click Save
In the pop-up box, make sure the Media button is selected. Only check two of the four checkboxes: Original media and Copy media stored in external locations. Then click Modify Settings.
If you have already transcoded to Optimized media or Proxy media, let Rembrand know. By default, however, unchecking those boxes makes the process easier and the file sizes smaller.Make sure all three storage locations are set to In Library and click OK.
Confirm the checkboxes match the below, and the first three Media Destinations say In Library. Click OK.
It might ask you to click Transcode. If not, move to the next step.
Go back to the Libraries sidebar on the top left from Step 1 > navigate to the New File Name you just created (this is your copied project). Make sure the Inspector is open on the right, via the horizontal slider icon in the top right hand corner.
In the Media section, confirm it says In Library, click Consolidate, then click OK.
If you have Motion content, confirm it says In Library, click Consolidate, then click OK. If you don't have Motion content, it will confirm there are no files to consolidate.
Close out of Final Cut Pro.
[Apple specifically recommends closing the program before moving video projects.]
On your device, find the New File Name that you just exported (folder Where in Step 3 above). It will have a .fcpbundle extension.
Right click on the New File Name and choose Compress.
It may take a few minutes to compress. The .zip file will be created in the same place as the exported .fcpbundle file.
Upload the .zip file to Rembrand. We do accept Final Cut Pro .zip files, even though it is labeled as Adobe Premiere Pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Once I upload to the Compressed/Zip file to Rembrand, what happens?
Rembrand's AI will virtually insert products into your underlying source video files, rename and relink these new files into your project, and provide you a download link to download the Final Cut Pro project back to your computer.
I downloaded the Final Cut Pro Project from Rembrand, and the Project File appears unchanged.
Rembrand will do product insertion in the source video files, directly. Generally you will see no changes, or very few changes, to your Final Cut Pro editor timeline. Most of the changes that Rembrand makes will be rendered directly into the video assets. When Rembrand does disclosures, they may appear as layers in the timeline, but the virtual product insertion itself occurs directly within the video.
What is a Final Cut Pro Project File?
Every video that you produce in Final Cut Pro is produced in a Project file. Project files are files that simply point to source files – or the files that will be used in the video that you're producing using Final Cut Pro. The Project file is NOT the actual media file. While a Project file doesn't actually contain media, it is more of a database that stores locations of different media, and contains all of the edits, changes, cuts, and effects that a video editor does to their raw videos.
If Project Files don't contain Media, then why is this useful?
As will be explained below, you can export your Final Cut Pro Project file, along with all of your media. This export can be created directly from Final Cut Pro, zipped, and uploaded directly to Rembrand. By doing this, Rembrand has all the necessary files that it needs to do virtual product insertion, including the Project File and all the underlying source video files.
Do I have to use the Final Cut Pro Project file I download from Rembrand, or can I re-link the video files to a different project file ?
It is critical to use the exact files that Rembrand provides. In certain occasions, Rembrand may add layers to the Final Cut Pro timeline (including FTC regulated disclosures).
Why doesn't Rembrand render the Final Cut Pro Project File and send me an MP4 back?
Sometimes editors use custom fonts, Final Cut Pro plugins and effects libraries, or other assets which are not readily available to Rembrand. If Rembrand were to render the final video asset and hand it back to a creator, it might not look the same as if the editor/creator rendered the video. In order to preserve all of the custom elements that happen post-production, if Rembrand receives a Final Cut Pro Project file, Rembrand will return a Final Cut Pro Project file, which can then be rendered down by the creator or editor.
I downloaded the Final Cut Pro Project file, but it is linking to old video assets!
Final Cut Pro caches video assets, and sometimes caching can be an issue. Rembrand renames and relinks files before providing them for download as a way to attempt to mitigate these issues. Editors can get in touch with the Rembrand team ([email protected]) for further assistance.
What if I'm still having issues exporting via Final Cut Pro?
Apple provides instructions here on how to copy a project from Final Cut Pro to another Mac. These instructions may be helpful, just keep in mind that your final step will be to upload into Rembrand (ignore the steps related to an external storage device).
What if I want to use Adobe Premiere?
The same information applies in regards to Project Files, but follow our steps specific to Adobe Premiere to export your project.