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getting started
First, let me thank you for this great resource. I am lucky enough to go take a FCP course through my work and I can become Apple certified and they are paying for the training. But I know it’s a use it or lose it skill set, so I need to make some purchases so I can edit and keep learning. Here’s what I have currently: a MacBook 2.4 Hz Core 2 duo with 4 G RAM, a Canon MiniDV camcorder, a couple of USB 2.0 external drives, and that’s it.
So here are my questions: First, Do I buy Final Cut Studio or go with Final Cut Express? I’d rather buy FCS but I know performance will be slower. Am I right? I could maybe swing a new Mac Mini or iMac, but Macbook Pro and Mac Pro are out of the question due to cost. I mostly want to, for know, master Final Cut as well as I can, edit a few cheap short films and build my skill set and eventually upgrade my hardware and camera in a couple of years. That being said, will my macbook suffice for Final Cut Pro? Will an iMac or Mac Mini improve performance enough to merit the expense? What peripherals are essential vs nice to have?
I am an absolute beginner, so please don’t flame me for asking dumb questions. Thanks!
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5 Replies
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A MacBook is pretty marginal for FCS. There’s a lot in the applications that will be a real struggle or simply will not work. Forget the Mac mini especially for FCS. A 2.98G iMac or higher would be the minimum. Graphics integration in the low end iMac is not really suitable for FCS. You’ll need a fast, external drive.
All the best,
Tom
Class on Demand DVDs “Complete Training for FCP6,” “Basic Training for FCS2” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy”
Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 4 Editing Workshop” -
Thanks for the reply. If my goal is to do basic editing (think low budget indie film) and want to just improve and sharpen my skill set, would it be absurd for me to just buy FCE and use it on my current Macbook? Purchasing a higher end iMac or MacBook Pro is out of my budget right now. I don’t want to go that route unless there is enough of a link between the two programs that what I learn in FCP training will easily apply to FCE. Also, I wonder – would Final Cut Express be better described as a glorified version of iMovie or a stripped down version of Final Cut Pro?
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Thing is, are you planning to pick up only Final Cut Pro/editing skills at this point? Or are you planning for the whole works – motion graphics, DVD authoring etc? Because for the price you pay for a set of Final Cut Studio, it would be a waste if you can’t run or are not at the stage where you’re looking to learn the other applications.
So if it’s only FCP you’re looking at currently, FCE might be a valid and budget-conscious choice as you learn to edit. You’ll probably have to check what are the format limitations they have though.
From my experience, a MacBook would run Final Cut Pro decently, even if you’re editing in processor-intensive formats like HDV. That’s assuming you’re not loading up too many layers or fancy graphics.
I think it’s also important you set aside some budget to buy yourself a good Firewire drive for your media, since USB drives are really not recommended for editing needs.
Kai
FCP Editor / Producer with Intuitive Films
https://kai-fcp-editor.blogspot.com
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At Intuitive Films, We Create: TV Commercials, Documentaries, Corporate Videos and Feature Films
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MacBook Pro 2.4GHz | 4GB RAM | FCP 5.1.4 | Mac OS X 10.5.2 -
Thanks for the feedback. I just read about the probable April release of a new final cut pro – wondering if I am picking the wrong time to take this training class.
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[patrick myers] “Thanks for the feedback. I just read about the probable April release of a new final cut pro – wondering if I am picking the wrong time to take this training class.”
Yeah and for the past two years rumor sites have been telling us Final Cut Extreme was being released. Never happened. Now it’s very possible there will be a new version this year since it’s been two years, but generally the rumor sites are wrong more often than being right, so never go by those when making a purchasing decision.
The good thing about Final Cut Pro is the basic interface hasn’t really changed since Version 1. So what you learn today applies to the newer versions. Take a look at my Travel Matte tutorials. I did those in Version 3 or 4 and everything I tell you to do in those tutorials still applies today.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR Apple Color Training DVD available now!
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