Learning Schedule V2
FX6 CINE EI Muted-Color Shooting System
Learning Schedule V2
30-minute daily study periods - 8-week / 56-day prototype course
Derivative Control Note This is a separate V2 learning-schedule derivative. It does not edit the canonized Master Handbook DOCX. It is derived from the canonized file FX6_CINE_EI_Muted-Color_Shooting_System_Handbook_V7.0.docx and is intended as a study path, not a replacement for the Handbook, Field-Use Navigation Guide, PDF Rebuild Specification, or V1 extraction guides. |
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| Item | Control Detail |
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| Canon source used | FX6_CINE_EI_Muted-Color_Shooting_System_Handbook_V7.0.docx |
| Canon treatment | Final published/canonized Master Handbook V1.0 DOCX replacement; prior original DOCX remains superseded historical source only. |
| Working method | A separate working copy was preserved for analysis. No canon master was edited. |
| Schedule unit | 30 minutes per study day. No calendar dates are assigned. |
| Training intent | Move from orientation to audio survival, Cine EI operation, muted-color shooting, shoot-day execution, file discipline, post import, and capstone rehearsal. |
1. Learning Architecture
This plan treats the Handbook as an operating system rather than a book to memorize. Each week layers one skill domain on top of the previous one, then returns to practical verification. The schedule is intentionally spiral: audio, camera control, look, shoot-day procedure, file management, and post-production are revisited through drills rather than learned once and forgotten.
| Minute Block | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 0-10 | Read the assigned Handbook section or Field Navigator path. | Build the concept and vocabulary for that day. |
| 10-20 | Touch the camera, cable, menu, card, monitor, or logging tool whenever possible. | Convert reading into muscle memory. |
| 20-25 | Perform one verification: meter movement, waveform, LUT state, focus check, folder check, or import check. | Prevent false confidence. |
| 25-30 | Write one rule, one risk, and one question. | Create a personal operator memory bank. |
Primary Training Rule Do not let a study day end with only reading. Even when the camera is not available, rehearse the decision sequence verbally: What is the source? Where does it enter? What setting controls it? What proves it is correct? |
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| Period | Focus | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Project doctrine and one-lav audio survival | Understand the handbook hierarchy, core rules, non-negotiable warnings, one-transmitter RODE path, gain staging, headphones, and room tone. |
| Week 2 | Two-lav split tracks, backups, and boom concepts | Master split mode, Cable Techniques routing, TX1/TX2 verification, onboard recording, and the boom-adapter decision tree. |
| Week 3 | External camera controls | Practice white balance, ND, shutter, aperture, focus, zoom/framing, and emotional movement choices. |
| Week 4 | Cine EI exposure truth, formats, LUTs, and settings files | Learn waveform/zebras, S-Log3 references, EI logic, recording formats, assignable buttons, MLUT routing, and ALL/User/Scene file discipline. |
| Week 5 | Muted-color shooting method, lighting, lenses, movement, and design | Translate technical setup into actor reel, feature, and documentary visual grammar. |
| Week 6 | Pre-shoot and shoot-day operating rhythm | Build the repeatable checklist habit: night-before, 10-second test, first 60 seconds on set, shoot-day workflow, and scenario recipes. |
| Week 7 | File management, logging, slating, and offload | Prevent post-production disaster through reel IDs, clip IDs, minimal field logs, slates, full-card offload, and large-card strategy. |
| Week 8 | Post workflow, appendices, and capstone rehearsal | Import cleanly, inspect audio channels, plan proxies/archive, use templates, review appendices, and complete one full end-to-end drill. |
Week 1 - Project Doctrine and One-Lav Audio Survival
Goal: understand the Handbook as the controlling system and become safe with one RODE transmitter into the FX6.
| Day | Handbook Area | 30-Minute Study Task | Practice / Verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Orientation: title page, TOC, Field-Use Navigation Guide. | Read the front matter and learn where the TOC, Nav Guide, body text, and appendices live. | Find the Field Navigator, Master TOC return links, and Appendix A. |
| Day 2 | Chapter 1.1-1.6 - purpose, scope, equipment baseline, muted-look definition. | Write a plain-English summary of what this project is and what it is not. | State the three covered production types: actor reels, features, documentaries. |
| Day 3 | Chapter 1.7-1.8 - core operating rule and master control hierarchy. | Study shutter, aperture, ND, WB, EI, LUT/MLUT, lighting/design, audio, and media/logging as the control stack. | Recite the hierarchy without looking and identify which control solves which problem. |
| Day 4 | Chapter 2 - proven settings and non-negotiable warnings. | Read the one-transmitter, split-track, boom, Cine EI, and file-management warnings. | Mark the danger items: LINE, MIC+48V to RODE, double-LUT, casual renaming, arbitrary folder splitting. |
| Day 5 | Chapter 3.1-3.5 - one-transmitter RODE path and FX6 INPUT1 switch. | Trace the physical audio path from RODE receiver 3.5 mm output to FX6 INPUT1. | Confirm the receiver is not passing audio through the shoe; the cable path is required. |
| Day 6 | Chapter 3.6-3.14 and Chapter 4 - reference level, gain, dials, target meters. | Practice setting gain/reference/dial values and interpreting normal speech versus loud speech levels. | Verify that meter targets are understood before relying on headphones alone. |
| Day 7 | Chapter 5 - headphone monitoring, noise diagnosis, mic placement, room tone. | Run a one-lav mini-test: place mic, monitor headphones, identify room noise, record room tone. | Checkpoint: record and play back a short one-lav test. Note one improvement. |
End-of-Week Checkpoint Record a short one-lav test, listen back, and write the exact chain from RODE receiver to FX6 channel routing. |
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Week 2 - Two-Lav Split Tracks, Backups, and Boom Concepts
Goal: understand how to get isolated TX1/TX2 tracks and when boom/audio backup choices change the system.
| Day | Handbook Area | 30-Minute Study Task | Practice / Verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 8 | Chapter 6.1-6.4 - why split tracks matter; Merged versus Split mode. | Study the problem: one XLR is not enough for two isolated speakers. | Explain what happens if the receiver is in Merged mode instead of Split mode. |
| Day 9 | Chapter 6.5-6.10 - Cable Techniques routing, red/blue XLRs, INPUT1/INPUT2, MIC. | Trace the split-cable path and write the required channel routing. | Verify the no-phantom rule for both RODE inputs. |
| Day 10 | Chapter 6.11-6.14 - TX1/TX2 tests and split-track troubleshooting. | Practice the three-step isolation test: TX1 alone, TX2 alone, both together. | Checkpoint question: what does it mean if both channels move equally? |
| Day 11 | Chapter 7 - permanent split setup for one or two transmitters. | Study why permanent split setup simplifies field operation and what is lost from the old CH2 safety-copy method. | Decide when one-transmitter split mode is acceptable and when to return to safety-copy mode. |
| Day 12 | Chapter 8 - RODE onboard transmitter recording. | Learn onboard recording as the backup that replaces the old FX6 CH2 safety copy in split mode. | Write the post-shoot retrieval and backup rule. |
| Day 13 | Chapter 9.1-9.7 - adding a boom through Sony XLR-K3M/K2M concept. | Study why both handle XLRs are occupied and how CH3 can become the boom path through the shoe adapter. | Sketch the professional three-source layout: CH1 TX1, CH2 TX2, CH3 boom. |
| Day 14 | Chapter 9.8-9.12 - phantom power, lower-cost alternate, decision table. | Compare professional three-track setup with merged-lavs-plus-boom compromise. | Checkpoint: pick the correct audio path for one actor, two-person interview, and two lavs plus boom. |
End-of-Week Checkpoint Explain and/or demonstrate isolated TX1/TX2 split tracks, then choose the correct boom strategy for a three-source setup. |
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Week 3 - External Camera Controls
Goal: build camera-hand fluency with WB, ND, shutter, aperture, focus, zoom, and movement decisions.
| Day | Handbook Area | 30-Minute Study Task | Practice / Verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 15 | Chapter 10.1-10.5 - white balance philosophy and controls. | Study A/B/Preset, gray card/white card, WB SET, and why ATW is usually avoided. | Practice the verbal WB sequence even if the camera is not powered. |
| Day 16 | Chapter 10.6-10.11 - indoor/outdoor WB and intentional offsets. | Compare indoor custom WB, outdoor custom WB, warm/cool offsets, and Filter White Memory considerations. | Write when WB is a consistency tool versus a look tool. |
| Day 17 | Chapter 11.1-11.6 - ND as exposure stabilizer. | Study PRESET/VARIABLE, filter position buttons, variable dial, and Auto ND. | Explain why ND protects the chosen aperture and shutter. |
| Day 18 | Chapter 11.7-11.12 - indoor/outdoor ND workflows and examples. | Work through the interior close-up, bright-window interview, exterior close-up, dialogue, and walk-and-talk examples. | State when not to switch Clear/On while rolling. |
| Day 19 | Chapter 12 - shutter and aperture external controls. | Study cinematic shutter values and aperture choices by scene type. | Set the default rule: shutter for motion, aperture for depth/emotion, ND for brightness. |
| Day 20 | Chapter 13 - focus controls and procedures. | Study manual focus, Face/Eye AF, Push AF, focus magnifier, peaking, Focus Hold, and near-eye rule. | Practice choosing focus method for single actor, two-person scene, and bright exterior. |
| Day 21 | Chapter 14 - zoom, push-ins, pull-outs, emotional framing. | Study zoom as framing control and compare zooming with physical push-in/pull-out. | Checkpoint: design one emotional close-up and one isolating pull-back. |
End-of-Week Checkpoint Set or verbally rehearse WB, shutter, aperture, ND, focus, and framing decisions for one indoor and one outdoor scene. |
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Week 4 - Cine EI Exposure Truth, Formats, LUTs, and Settings Files
Goal: stop judging by LCD appearance alone and become safe with Cine EI, LUT routing, and settings backups.
| Day | Handbook Area | 30-Minute Study Task | Practice / Verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 22 | Chapter 15.1-15.5 - waveform, zebras, histogram. | Learn why LCD appearance is not enough and why waveform is the primary exposure truth. | Point to which tool gives truth, warning, and secondary overview. |
| Day 23 | Chapter 15.6-15.12 - S-Log3 references, skin, highlights, test review. | Study gray/white references, skin-tone guidance, highlight protection, indoor/outdoor procedure, and test-clip review. | Write the anti-mistake rule: do not underexpose for mood. |
| Day 24 | Chapter 16.1-16.3 - Cine EI versus ISO; Base ISO 800 and 12800. | Study what Cine EI changes and what Base ISO choices mean. | Explain when Base ISO 800 or 12800 becomes the correct starting point. |
| Day 25 | Chapter 16.4-16.11 - EI decisions and field rules. | Compare lower EI, higher EI, indoor, outdoor, low-light, and Cine EI Quick concepts. | State what EI changes in monitoring/exposure rating and what it does not magically fix. |
| Day 26 | Chapter 17 - recording format, codec, frame rate, audio planning. | Study cinematic defaults, QFHD/4K, XAVC-I/L, 23.98/24p, S&Q, 10-bit 4:2:2, and audio verification. | Pick a default actor-reel format and explain why. |
| Day 27 | Chapter 18 - assignable buttons and User Menu field map. | Study button priorities: Focus Magnifier, Waveform, Zebras, LUT On/Off, Face/Eye AF, Push AF, Audio Status, Rec Review. | Choose your top four field buttons and justify them. |
| Day 28 | Chapters 19-22 - LUT/MLUT, external monitor, LUTs, ALL/User/Scene files, settings card. | Study the difference between camera color/gamma, SDI/HDMI MLUT, VF/Proxy/Stream MLUT, and Internal Rec MLUT. | Checkpoint: explain how to avoid flat monitoring, double-LUT, and unbacked-up settings. |
End-of-Week Checkpoint Explain exposure truth, Base ISO/EI, LUT/MLUT routing, and settings-card backup without relying on LCD appearance. |
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Week 5 - Muted-Color Look, Lighting, Lenses, Movement, and Design
Goal: translate correct setup into the intended visual style without damaging exposure, skin tone, or performance clarity.
| Day | Handbook Area | 30-Minute Study Task | Practice / Verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 29 | Chapter 23.1-23.10 - muted-color master rules. | Study clean log capture, LUT monitoring, locked WB, ND discipline, shutter discipline, aperture choices, waveform/zebras, and skin protection. | Write the rule: the muted look is built with light, design, and grade, not by starving exposure. |
| Day 30 | Chapter 23.11-23.40 - wardrobe, set color, negative fill, practicals, windows, continuity, file discipline. | Study the practical look-control tools and the pre-roll ritual. | Build a personal pre-roll ritual from the chapter. |
| Day 31 | Chapter 24.1-24.3 - actor reel lighting: one-person and two-person interiors. | Study face readability, eye detail, controlled background, and coverage pattern. | Sketch a one-person dramatic close-up layout. |
| Day 32 | Chapter 24.4-24.6 - actor reel practicals, exterior close-up, priorities. | Study moody practical-light interior and exterior emotional close-up choices. | State why performance clarity outranks visual flourish in actor reels. |
| Day 33 | Chapter 25 - feature scene lighting. | Study naturalistic dialogue, dark close-up, window daylight, night practicals, exterior day dialogue, visual grammar, continuity, contrast, palette. | Describe how shots must cut together, not just look good alone. |
| Day 34 | Chapter 26 - documentary lighting. | Study sit-down interview, window-light interview, run-and-gun, exterior interview, walk-and-talk, one-light field interview. | Write the documentary priority order: credibility, clean faces, speed, audio, background. |
| Day 35 | Chapters 27-28 - lens, movement, emotional coverage, production design. | Study focal lengths, compression, push-in/pull-back, support tools, rehearsal, coverage map, palette, props, background separation. | Checkpoint: design one actor-reel shot and one documentary interview with intentional lens, light, color, and movement. |
End-of-Week Checkpoint Create one muted actor-reel setup and one documentary setup using light, color, lens, movement, and audio discipline. |
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Week 6 - Pre-Shoot and Shoot-Day Operating Rhythm
Goal: convert the Handbook into a repeatable operating sequence that prevents on-set mistakes.
| Day | Handbook Area | 30-Minute Study Task | Practice / Verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 36 | Chapter 29.1-29.6 - night-before, camera mode, recording format, LUT, WB, ND checklists. | Read the night-before and early pre-shoot checks. | Create a short version you can say aloud before a shoot. |
| Day 37 | Chapter 29.7-29.11 - focus, audio, physical switches, split cable, boom adapter. | Study the checks most likely to ruin a take if skipped. | Touch each physical switch or identify it on the camera. |
| Day 38 | Chapter 29.12-29.15 - 10-second technical test, playback review, continuity, after-shoot backup. | Study the test/review/backup chain. | Checkpoint question: what must be verified before the first real take? |
| Day 39 | Chapter 30.1-30.8 - load/confirm ALL File through white balance. | Study the first half of Master Shoot-Day Workflow. | Rehearse the first eight steps without skipping any. |
| Day 40 | Chapter 30.9-30.21 - shutter through backup media. | Study the second half of Master Shoot-Day Workflow. | Rehearse the sequence from shutter to media backup. |
| Day 41 | Field Navigator - The First 60 Seconds on Set. | Use the compressed sequence before first real take. | Run the 60-second sequence out loud and mark hesitation points. |
| Day 42 | Field Navigator - Scenario-Based Shooting Recipes. | Review recipes for one-person actor reel, two-person interview, two lavs plus boom, exterior dialogue, documentary, and post/offload. | Checkpoint: choose one recipe and list the audio, camera, look, workflow, and post-safety references. |
End-of-Week Checkpoint Run the First 60 Seconds on Set and the Master Shoot-Day Workflow sequence without skipping the 10-second test. |
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Week 7 - File Management, Logging, Slating, and Offload
Goal: prevent post-production failure by preserving card structure, clip identity, logs, slates, and backups.
| Day | Handbook Area | 30-Minute Study Task | Practice / Verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 43 | Chapter 31 - file-management doctrine. | Study why camera filenames alone are unsafe and why folder identity matters. | Explain why you must not dump different cards into one flat folder. |
| Day 44 | Chapter 32 - production card and reel naming. | Study physical card labels, reel IDs, folder format, and examples. | Create a sample folder name for an actor reel, feature, and documentary. |
| Day 45 | Chapter 33 - Clip Name Footage Description Log. | Study the full log columns, Unique Clip ID, scene codes, shot/angle, audio, look, status, and examples. | Draft one sample log row for a two-person interview. |
| Day 46 | Chapter 34 - minimal field logging workflow. | Study the five-field method and after-offload completion. | Practice the rhythm: slate it, shoot it, write one short line, move on. |
| Day 47 | Chapter 35 - verbal, paper, phone, electronic, and smart slate workflow. | Study what slates solve and what they do not solve. | Build your current recommended slate script. |
| Day 48 | Chapter 36 - full-card offload integrity. | Study full-card copy procedure, verification before formatting, two-backup rule, and folder structure. | Describe the exact order: prepare, identify, copy full structure, verify, log, backup, then format only after confirmation. |
| Day 49 | Chapter 37 - large-card / 400GB footage management. | Study why not to split camera-original folders and the safer alternatives. | Checkpoint: define the full-card master, split archive volume, and proxy/transcode roles. |
End-of-Week Checkpoint Build a safe reel folder, sample clip log, slate line, and full-card offload/backup checklist. |
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Week 8 - Post Workflow, Appendices, and Capstone Rehearsal
Goal: close the loop from camera setup through import, audio inspection, proxies, templates, quick references, and one full rehearsal.
| Day | Handbook Area | 30-Minute Study Task | Practice / Verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 50 | Chapter 38.1-38.4 - Resolve/Premiere import and bin structure. | Study import of full reel folders and bin organization. | Create a sample Resolve/Premiere bin tree. |
| Day 51 | Chapter 38.5-38.10 - audio-channel inspection and post checklist. | Study left/right inspection, why muting a whole event does not prove separation, split audio, boom/lav organization, and mono centering. | Verify what you would inspect immediately after import. |
| Day 52 | Chapter 39 - proxy, storage, and archive planning. | Study original/proxy planning, DNxHR proxy choices, storage per 1TB, folder structure, and archive rules. | Choose a practical proxy strategy for your computer. |
| Day 53 | Chapter 40 - created deliverables and templates. | Study Excel log, Word log, clip log, project setup, code lists, paper log, and how to use templates in field/post. | Decide which template becomes your default on-set logging tool. |
| Day 54 | Appendices A-C - audio quick references. | Review one-transmitter, two-transmitter split, and boom quick references. | Run a quick verbal setup for one lav, two lavs, and two lavs plus boom. |
| Day 55 | Appendices D-K - Cine EI, lighting, file naming, offload, proxy/post quick references. | Review indoor/outdoor Cine EI, actor/feature/documentary lighting, file naming, offload/backup, and Resolve/Premiere proxy references. | Build a one-page personal checklist from the appendices. |
| Day 56 | Capstone rehearsal - end-to-end workflow. | Choose one scenario. Set audio, camera, LUT/exposure tools, focus, and look. Record 10 seconds. Playback. Log. Offload. Import. Inspect audio. | Final checkpoint: identify the weakest link and schedule a repeat drill. |
End-of-Week Checkpoint Complete the capstone: shoot, review, log, offload, import, inspect audio, and identify the weakest link. |
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2. How to Use the V1 Extraction Guides With This Schedule
| Guide | Best Use in the Learning Schedule |
|---|---|
| Cockpit Card V1 | Use during Week 6 and Day 56 as a compressed on-set operating aid after the full workflow is understood. |
| Indoor / Outdoor Cine EI Cards V1 | Use after Days 15-28, then again on Day 55 to lock indoor/outdoor defaults and exceptions. |
| Muted-Color Visual Guide V1 | Use during Week 5 to connect exposure, lighting, wardrobe, background, skin tone, and grade restraint. |
| Scenario Recipe Pack V1 | Use on Day 42 and Day 56 to select the capstone scenario and avoid inventing a setup from memory. |
| Post / Media Safety Guide V1 | Use during Week 7 and Days 50-53 to reinforce offload, logging, backup, import, proxy, and archive discipline. |
| Full Handbook Index / Decision Tree V1 | Use whenever a daily task exposes a problem. Look up the problem first, then return to the scheduled lesson. |
3. Capstone Rubric
| Rubric Area | Pass Standard |
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| Audio | Correct source path, no phantom to RODE, CH1/CH2 or CH3 layout understood, headphones checked, room tone recorded if applicable. |
| Camera Setup | Frame rate, shutter, aperture, ND, WB, focus, Base ISO/EI, waveform/zebras, LUT state, and recording format verified. |
| Look | Muted-color intent achieved through light direction, negative fill, controlled palette, natural skin, background separation, and restrained grade plan. |
| Workflow | First 60 Seconds on Set completed, 10-second technical test recorded and reviewed, slate/log completed. |
| Post Safety | Full card copied without flattening, reel/clip identity preserved, backup status logged, Resolve/Premiere import checked, audio channels inspected. |
Final Learning Rule The course is complete only when the operator can perform the sequence under mild pressure without guessing: set it, verify it, record a test, review it, log it, offload it, and inspect it in post. |
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4. Optional Retention Loop After Day 56
After the 56-day plan, repeat the system by scenario rather than by chapter. Each repeat can be done as a 30-minute period. This is not a new dated calendar; it is a maintenance loop.
| Loop | Scenario | 30-Minute Maintenance Drill |
|---|---|---|
| Loop A | One-person actor reel, indoor, one RODE lav | Rehearse one-lav audio, indoor Cine EI, actor-reel lighting, 10-second test, log, offload. |
| Loop B | Two-person interview, two RODE transmitters | Rehearse split mode, Cable Techniques routing, TX1/TX2 test, documentary lighting, channel inspection in post. |
| Loop C | Two lavs plus boom | Rehearse professional CH1/CH2/CH3 plan or lower-cost compromise; state phantom-power decisions. |
| Loop D | Exterior muted dialogue | Rehearse outdoor ND, highlight protection, skin exposure, focus in bright sun, wind/audio protection. |
| Loop E | Full post safety drill | Create reel folder, copy full card structure, verify, backup, import, inspect audio, proxy/archive. |