FCP Tutorials

[Darin Clifton]

I am new to FCP. Our TV show's editor recently provided me with Mac Book Pro with FCP 5.1.4 installed. My target is to assist with rough editing .

I am looking for advice on the best location for materials and tutorials for a basic entry level work as well as some more advanced editing.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Darin


PS - I also hear that the FCP shortcut key covers are a good idea. What do you think ??

[Shaun Roemich]

Originally Posted by Darin Clifton

PS - I also hear that the FCP shortcut key covers are a good idea. What do you think ??

I had keycaps on the very first edit bay I used (an AVID Media Composer worth $60k+ ten years ago) and I LOVED them. Never had key covers for FCP and never felt I needed them. Ask yourself: how good are you at remembering keystrokes. I prefer NOT to have them on my FCP machine as I type a LOT of text as well and found they got in the way when using other peoples FCP machines with them (I type 40+ wpm BUT need to look at the keys - I know where they all are but still can't touch type).

[Darin Clifton]

Good point - I think I'll be able to get it once I use the keys a bit - I also need to look at the keys. Just trying to find the best way to learn it. I feel like if I learn the "right" way - then it will be better in the long run.

[Erick Munari]

Lynda.com, Larry Jordan tutorial is almost all you need, but it costs $25/mo. It saved my pigu!

[Christopher Glavan]

Agree. Larry Jordan's tutorials are good, very simple (but not over-simplified).

[Matthew Hampton]

Darin,

I have learned a lot from the tutorial books from peachpitpress.com. They have a large selection of self-paced tutorial books, and are priced reasonably. I also like Ken Stone's final cut pro page.

Good luck and enjoy learning FCP.

[Shaun Roemich]

Darin: the keys I use all the time are:
a: arrow/select tool
t: toggles track selection tool (current track from/to here, all tracks to/from here etc)
i: set in point
o: set out point
j,k,l: shuttle controls (back, stop/play, forward)
n: toggle snapping
b: blade (used A LOT with snapping toggled on or off)
cmd-c: copy
cmd-v: paste
cmd-x: cut
space: play
F10: over-right edit
delete close to the "end" key: contextual ripple delete


OH, and the MOST IMPORTANT:
cmd-z :UNDO!!!
Everything else is up to YOUR workflow.

[Shaun Roemich]

Oh, and:
cmd-L: link/unlink video from audio

cmd-8 opens Log and Capture window

[Brendan Donohue]

haha shaun, you nailed my keystroke list to a T...darin, quickly memorize those keys, they'll save your life, also....

check out the Ripple Training website, they have a bunch of free tuts, I had an FCP tutorial DVD from them when I first got started and it really broke everything down well and clarified everything for me, and had a really good multicam editing section as well:
Ripple Training

and as Matthew said, Ken Stone has a bunch of great free resources:
Ken Stone's Final Cut Pro

there's plenty great free resources, but definitely worth it to invest in a training dvd or book...once you have the basics, you will find that any questions you may have can and will be answered here at dvinfo

[Darin Clifton]

Thanks a BUNCH for the keys guys ! I did check out Ripple - very good stuff ! I found a DVD tutorial on FCP 5 at Ripple in the "Blowout" bin for $20.00 - it's on the way. As far as lock/unlock audio/video - I need that now - working on my first rough edit. Captured some clips from my A1 yesterday , they went in without a hitch.

Thanks Again !

[Mike Williams]

I have to say that Larry J has a great set of tuts. Join the newsletter and get somegood stuff there. A ton of options and you won't fall asleep.

Ken Stone is another great newsletter. Steve Douglas has put up a bunch of good ones. I also like the Studio Mag newsletter and when it was in print they had some great articles.

[Battle Vaughan]

Apple has some great free seminars online as well, we found this useful, even if you don't have to work under the gun: Apple - Seminars Online - News and Sports Editing — Infinite Possibilities with Final Cut Pro

/Battle Vaughan/miamiherald.com video team

[Brendan Donohue]

Originally Posted by Battle Vaughan

Apple has some great free seminars online as well, we found this useful, even if you don't have to work under the gun: Apple - Seminars Online - News and Sports Editing — Infinite Possibilities with Final Cut Pro

Battle, that is an awesome tutorial, I had not seen any of those yet on apple's site...picked up some cool tips there and re-evaluated some of my editing techniques as well. Although it's geared more for news/sports stuff, I think it can apply to most if not all types of editing..awesome