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Final Cut Pro Efficient Editing
Final Cut Pro Efficient Editing

Final Cut Pro Efficient Editing: A step-by-step guide to smart video editing with FCP 10.6

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Final Cut Pro Efficient Editing

1. Quick Start: An Introduction to FCP X

"FCP X was built for the future as we saw it developing — more cameras, much more footage, reliance on metadata, the need to simplify complex and technical tasks to focus on creativity. You can see that this imagined future is exactly where we are right now."

— Steve Bayes, Final Cut Pro X and ProRes Product Manager, 2010–2018

After 10 years as a video editor in the 1980s, Steve became the first certified instructor for the Avid Media Composer and eventually the Principal Product Designer. In 2006 he became Apple’s Senior Product Manager for FCP. From 2010 he product managed the development and release of the ProRes video codec and FCP X, including the almost 30 subsequent releases. Steve retired from Apple in 2018 and continues to consult and invest in developing new technology for film and video.

(www.thestevebayes.com)

Welcome. In this book, you’ll learn how to use Apple’s flagship...

A brief history of editing

Cinema has been around for a little over 100 years, and for a long time, the editing process was straightforward. Each frame of film was a single image on a continuous strip of celluloid, and, to combine multiple shots in a sequence, the film was physically cut and then taped to another piece of film. Every cut took real physical effort and time, and revisiting your earlier edits could be difficult, expensive, or impossible, depending on when the decision was made. And then, the arrival of video in the 1980s made it more accessible, but also worse.

Tape-based editing meant that an editor didn’t have to physically cut film, and because it made the process much cheaper, an entire generation of teenagers could explore movie making on a budget. However, images recorded on magnetic tape cannot be easily reordered. To rearrange shots A-B-C to B-A-C means offloading the whole sequence to a second tape, then placing them back on the original tape in a different...

Interface basics

Here’s a quick screenshot of the main window in FCP X. On the left, I have several libraries open in the Browser, where a few media clips can be seen. The Timeline is showing a music video I worked on, and you can see a drone shot visible in the Viewer. The Effects pane and Audio Meters are open in the bottom right, and the Inspector is showing Color Wheels in the top right, as you can see here:

Figure 1.1: The main window, with several panes open

Figure 1.1: The main window, with several panes open

The interface is quite changeable. You can choose which panes you want to see, and how much space they each take up. There are several floating windows too, but let’s go over the basics first.

Overview

Most of the time you spend in FCP X will be working in a single window. While additional windows will be shown to adjust preferences, import media, and export, the editing process is largely a single-window experience. Within this single window there are several panes, each...

An editing workflow overview

At the very highest level, every editing job is the same. You shoot — or somebody else shoots — some footage, which is then copied to your system and backed up for safety. You choose the best parts of the best clips, and then arrange them in sequence. You trim and re-arrange, tweak color and audio, and then add titles. You gain approval from the client (who could be you), and then you make further changes. When everyone’s happy, you export the final file. The file is uploaded, or otherwise sent to its destination. The original files are then archived to make room for future jobs or kept for further editing. Sounds simple, right? It can be, but often isn’t. There are several complicating factors, but it’s easy to keep it simple — and that’s what I’d recommend for many first-time editors.

Terminology

FCP X uses some unique terms, but here is a quick summary:

  • A Library holds all the data...

Hardware recommendations

As a final note for this introductory chapter, it’s worth looking at your computer: what do you need? Technology will continue to advance, so I’ll keep this broad, but FCP X can work on anything from a low-end laptop to a fully upgraded Mac Pro worth more than most cars. What do you need?

A Mac

This one is obvious, since FCP X doesn’t run on Windows, but what kind? There are many options, but the most obvious question is laptop or desktop?, and the answer is simple. Laptop if you need portability, or desktop for better speed, easier expansion, and a bigger screen.

An important factor for video editing is the graphics power it offers, and while only the top-end 15” or 16” laptops offer high-powered “discrete” graphics, all desktop Macs except the Mac mini include a discrete graphics card. Any Mac can deal with almost any job, but the higher the resolution you want to work with, and the more effects that...

Summary

FCP X really tries to make things look simple — and for many editors, it can be. There’s a ton of power hidden behind the scenes but you don’t have to use every feature available, and the editing process can be pretty straightforward if you follow a few rules.

Now that you know what the editing process involves and how this application can help you achieve it, you’re well on your way. You should understand the basics of the interface now, and though it might appear simple, there’s a lot of complexity behind the scenes. You know what hardware you want in an ideal world, but just about any Mac will do while you’re learning. Ready to go? Almost!

To keep everything running smoothly, a little planning and prior knowledge is needed to make sure the right content is captured in the right format. And that’s in Chapter 2, Before the Edit: Production Tips.

Review questions

  1. What’s the name of the area where you collect and organize your media?
  2. What’s bigger, a Library or a Project?
  3. What do you put in a Project?
  4. Where do you change most settings about a clip?
  5. What’s the name of the area where you play back video?
  6. Where do you find buttons to show or hide part of the interface?
  7. Can you store media files on your internal hard drive?
  8. Which chapter covers color correction?
  9. Where can you change or add shortcut keys?
  10. What kind of timeline does Final Cut Pro X use?

Review answers

  1. The Browser.
  2. A Library. Libraries contain Events, and Events can contain clips and/or Projects.
  3. A Project contains your finished edit — it’s a sequence, or a timeline.
  4. The Inspector.
  5. The Viewer.
  6. In the top right corner, just to the left of the Share button.
  7. Yes, you can, but you might run out of space.
  8. Chapter 11, Play with Light: Color Correction and Grading.
  9. The Command Editor, found at Final Cut Pro > Commands > Customize.
  10. A magnetic timeline (no tracks).
Left arrow icon Right arrow icon

Key benefits

  • Explore the best ways to use FCP, from importing and editing to finishing and exporting the final cut
  • Unlock the power of editing in the magnetic timeline to make huge changes or subtle adjustments
  • Finish with pro-level color correction, tracking, effects, transitions, audio, titles, and captions

Description

Final Cut Pro (also known as FCP, previously Final Cut Pro X) is Apple’s efficient and accessible video editing software for everyone, offering powerful features that experienced editors and novices will find useful. FCP is the quickest way to transform your raw clips into a finished piece, so if speed is important, make this a key tool in your editing arsenal. Final Cut Pro Efficient Editing is a comprehensive best practice guide for all editors. You’ll not only learn how to use the features but also find out which ones are the most important and when you should use them. With the help of practical examples, the book will show you how typical footage can be assembled, trimmed, colored, and finessed to produce a finished edit, exploring a variety of techniques. As you progress through the book, you’ll follow a standard editing workflow to get the feel of working on real-world projects and answer self-assessment questions to make sure that you’re on track. By the end of this Final Cut Pro book, you’ll be well versed with the key features of this app and have all the tools you need to create impressive edits.

Who is this book for?

The book is for creative professionals, anyone starting out in video editing, and editors switching to Final Cut Pro from another video editing system. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, you'll find this FCP book useful. All you need to get started is familiarity with macOS.

What you will learn

  • Understand the media import process and delve into media management
  • Effectively organize your footage so you can find the right shot quickly
  • Discover how to assemble a rough cut edit
  • Explore trimming and advanced editing techniques to finesse and finalize the edit
  • Enhance an edit with color correction, effects, transitions, titles, captions, and much more
  • Sweeten the audio by controlling volume, using compression, and adding effects
  • Share your final edited video and archive the job
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Publication date : Oct 30, 2020
Length: 796 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781839213243
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Publication date : Oct 30, 2020
Length: 796 pages
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Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781839213243
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Table of Contents

19 Chapters
Section 1: Importing and Organizing Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 1: Quick Start: An Introduction to FCP X Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 2: Before the Edit: Production Tips Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 3: Bring It In: Importing Your Footage Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 4: Sort It Out: reviewing and keywording Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 5: Choose Your Favorites: Selecting, Rating, and Searching Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Section 2: Rough Cut to Fine Cut Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 6: Build the spine of the story: Quick Assembly Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 7: Cover It Up: Connections, Cutaways, and Storylines Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 8: Neaten the Edges: Trimming Techniques Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 9: Consider Your Options: Multicam, Replacing, and Auditions Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 10: Explore a Little: Compound Clips and Timeline Tricks Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Section 3: Finishing and Exporting Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 11: Play with Light: Color Correction and Grading Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 12: Refine and Smooth: Video Properties and Effects Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 13: Blend and Warp: Video Transitions and Retiming Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 14: Boost the Signal: Audio Sweetening Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 15: A Few Words: Titles and Generators Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 16: You're Done: Exporting Your Edit and Finishing Up Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

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Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon 4.3
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4 star 23.1%
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2 star 15.4%
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Amazon Customer Nov 19, 2020
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Super clear
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Alfonta Jan 15, 2021
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Im an fcp editor for a long time , and this book helping me a lot along the way ,it will be good for beginners that takink their first stepyoutube is alright , if you wish having new knowledge and mastering the craftthis book by Iain Anderson ( one of they best to learn from first hand ( not "copy paste " tutorials in youtube)will help you to lean and tweek your work in fcp
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Amazon Customer Feb 28, 2022
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
This book is the Bible to FCP 10.6.There are things that I didn't think you couldn't do!! With the simple explanations on how to do.Very Heavy book with some 700+ pages.A must have for all.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
MP Apr 07, 2022
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Knowing very well the "old" FCP, I needed this to well understanding this new version, very different from the previous one. It was very useful to me.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Jordan Dec 06, 2021
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
This book is great. If you were finding yourself on youtube trying to get all of your FCP questions answered, but coming up short, this is the book for you. There is also a great chapter about some of the more technical aspects of film making such as codecs, frame rates, and the benefits of different ones. This sets the stage for setting up your projects/Libraries in FCP. After that you will get all your questions answered and more. I would have missed out on a lot of good stuff just trying to click my way through youtube. This book is set up in a way such that you can do an edit of your own while working through it. Kindle version makes it easy to jump back to previous topics.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
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