This tutorial shows how to create black and white video in Avid Media Composer using the Color Correction tool. It also teaches how to keyframe the saturation of a clip so you can change from full color to black and white over time.
Recapping the Tutorial
Make Video Black and White
Place the time position indicator over your clip. This is the blue bar in the timeline. Make sure that track is selected. I tend to turn off the other tracks. You can use the keyboard shortcut of Command+Shift+A (Mac) or Control+Shift+A (PC) to deselect all tracks. Then use the appropriate track selection keyboard shortcut if there is one to select the track.
In the Windows menu, find Workspaces then select Color Correction. This will open up the Color Correction Tool. Under the HSL tab, select the Controls panel (I think this is called a panel? Maybe not. Just hit the Controls button 😅). Now find Saturation and make it a value of zero. You can drag the slider all the way to the left or type in 0 in the space under Saturation. This clip is now black and white! You’ll see there’s now an effect icon on the clip in the timeline.
Keyframing Black and White Video Effect
Let’s say we want to keyframe this effect so we go from color to black and white or vice versa over time.
Open the Effect Controls Tool. There’s an icon for it in the Color Correction Tool. Move the time position indicator to the part of the clip where you want your effect to start. I find it easier to move it inside the Effect Controls Tool and in the Timeline in this instance. Next in the Effect Controls Tool twirl down HSL, Controls, and Master. Find Saturation. Now right-click in the space to the right for Saturation in the Effect Controls Tool (see video above if you need help finding this!) and choose Add Keyframe.
Next move the time position indicator to where you want the video to go to black and white. Right-click in the space to the right for Saturation in the Effect Controls Tool and choose Add Keyframe. Then change the Saturation amount to zero (0). Go back to Source/Record Mode and playback your masterpiece. That’s how to create black and white video in Avid Media Composer!
Suggested Viewing: Fixed vs. Elastic Keyframes in Avid Media Composer Tutorial
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– Josh