Inside Boris FX: Josh Crahen, Product Specialist (Vegas Pro)

Josh Crahen is a born-and-raised South Texan whose fascination with computers and video games began at a young age. He soon developed a love of all technology and started recording gameplay, which eventually led him into video editing. Over time, his popular YouTube channel's content evolved into a more teach-style focus on Vegas Pro — his #1 editing platform of choice. Now, he’s our new Boris FX Vegas Pro product specialist! Subscribe to our YouTube channel to find his newest tutorials.  

How did you first discover Vegas Pro?

I first learned about Vegas Pro while creating old video game content back in Halo 2 with my friends. We were kids just having fun when Xbox Live was brand new. Around that time, the web series Red vs Blue was released. That was the trigger that started my path as a content creator. I wanted to do THAT! So I bought a Coax 360p capture card and started recording video game footage. I used Windows Movie Maker to edit my clips together, but quickly realized I needed something better. Then a friend told me about this legendary editing software called Sony Vegas Pro 7. I tried it out and was hooked. Ever since then, I’ve only used Vegas Pro for all of my edits.

Your YouTube channel (@ScrapyardFilms), which focuses on Vegas Pro tutorials, has grown to over 28K subscribers. Why did you initially turn to Vegas Pro as your go-to editing platform?

I chose Vegas Pro because it was really easy to pick up and start using, and it had so many cool effects. I was a complete novice when I started, but because it's so user-friendly, I quickly produced higher-quality content than I ever have before. As I continued to use the software, I became more knowledgeable and more efficient at using it and decided I wanted to help others do the same.

You’re the new Boris FX product specialist for Vegas Pro. What does your role entail? What are you most looking forward to in the role?

My job is to teach you how to use Vegas Pro and show you all the cool things it can do. It’s not really different from what I was doing as my hobby, but now that I work for Boris FX, the quality of the content that I create for y’all will be exponentially higher.

I’m most excited about the ability to make positive changes and improvements to the software. Having the ability to directly speak to the people who actually make and maintain Vegas Pro is amazing. Also listening to y’all and implementing changes YOU actually want to see become a reality, not just a wish.

What are you most excited about now that Vegas Pro is part of Boris FX’s famed product family?

There are two things that excite me most about Vegas Pro now that Boris FX owns it.

1. Stability. Boris FX plugins and standalone software are known for their speed and stability. Prepare for reliable, fast Vegas Pro, because that’s just one of many improvements Boris FX will be making to this great editor.

2. Plugins, plugins, plugins! Vegas Pro + Boris FX plugins are a perfect match. I can’t wait to see how they adapt, improve, and integrate their plugins with new versions of Vegas Pro!

What are some of your preferred tools and effects within the Boris FX Suite?

I love Continuum. Swish Pan and Crash Zoom Dissolve are heavily used in almost every one of my projects. I use Primatte Studio anytime I want to key anything, and Mocha is the go-to for tracking. Nothing else compares.

What are a few of your favorite tools inside Vegas Pro? What’s an under-the-radar effect or tool that users need to know about?

The number one most useful tool is definitely the Color Grading Panel. It alone does over 90% of the work I need and only keeps getting better with every new version. Text-to-Speech has been a lifesaver for super quick voiceovers. I don’t know if this is a tool, exactly, but Batch Rendering has saved me SO much time.

Under the radar, huh? I’d say the Warp Flow transition. It’s basically a magical transition that blends hard cuts seamlessly. I have used it SO many times in the past while recording interviews and talking-head videos. Also, there is a surprising number of people who don’t use the ‘Levels’ plugin. The Computer RGB to Studio RGB preset makes your recorded footage look so much more cinematic because it helps retain all of the under-exposed shadow and blown-out highlight information.

Why should other content creators turn to Vegas Pro for their creative editing needs?

Vegas Pro has all the tools that professional editors require while remaining easy to use. The learning curve for Vegas Pro is the easiest to master compared to the other editors out there.

What's a keyboard shortcut you can't live without? A must-have piece of tech?

Well, I’d say I use the keyboard command “Ctrl+Shift+F” ALL the time in every single project. It basically turns me into a speed editor by closing gaps on all tracks. If you’re like me, when you record a 20-minute video, you’re bound to fumble a ton of words/sentences and have multiple mistakes by the end of the recording. All of those need to be cut out, and that’s where “Ctrl+Shft+F” is my savior for speed.

Cos-playing at PAX

Where do you find creative inspiration?

Usually, when I’m watching a show or movie with my wife, I’ll see a special effect or scene and think to myself, I bet I can do that! Also, listening to my 5-year-old son’s wild, imaginative stories plays a part in what I want to try to digitally create.

How do you unwind outside of work?

I like to try to experience life to its fullest, so I have picked up quite a few hobbies over the years. I love playing the drums and am learning to get better at guitar, bass, singing, and piano. On nice days, I’ll try to go out and ride my dirt bike or fly my drone around. Also, my wife and I like to school kids in online games like Battlefield and Call of Duty.

What’s your go-to snack/treat for a quick boost during the day?

I've never worked remotely before, so I’ve never developed a go-to snack or treat. I am finding Dots pretzels very tasty lately.

What's your favorite film and/or TV series?

Kung Pow! Enter the Fist — All-time favorite movie. I first saw it when I was 11. It was the first movie to make me cry laughing. I love stupid, silly humor like that.

If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Well, there is a YouTube channel, Frog Leap Studios, that creates metal covers of songs. I think it would be really fun to record a cover and create a video with that guy. Super talented dude for sure.

Who are some other content creators you follow on YouTube?

There are a handful of YouTube content creators who have helped educate me and open my eyes to the many aspects of cinematography, software, and editing.

• DSLR Video Shooter: Gear reviews
• Darren Mostyn and Cullen Kelly: Colorist tutorials
• Film Riot: Video editing and cinematography tutorials
• Curtis Judd: Audio tutorials
• PiXimperfect: Photoshop tutorials

What career and/or life advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell myself to keep doing fun things and to record more of life. Make vlogs, stream video games, and stay consistent. Also, remember that Bitcoin passes $100k, so hop on that train early.

Call to Action