ACU Certification

[Erik Pontius]

I ran through a 3 day class a few years ago when I was just learning Avid. It cost a bit of money and I had to drive 3 hours away to go to the class. The coursework was the exact same as the self-paced Avid Xpress Pro book you can get from the Avid online store. I was half-way through the book before I took the class, so the first day was a repeat for me.
The advantage I think depends on how you like to learn. If you have a hard time sitting down and concentrating on a book and tutorial, instructor led training might help. You can also ask questions from the instructor to clear things up, often they show a couple of tricks & tips outside of the book.
It was a good experience for me and I learned a little but I’m glad I wasn’t the one paying for it. You get a nice little paper certificate when you are done.
Some of the more advanced classes (effects, color correction) or classes on Media Composer and such may be worth it.
Will it help you get a job? probably not. I think employers look more at what work you’ve done and your past experience more than certification.

Erik

[Michael Hancock]

[epontius] “Will it help you get a job? probably not. I think employers look more at what work you’ve done and your past experience more than certification.”

I agree completely. Getting certified will probably teach you some stuff, but unless you’re applying for a teaching position that wants a list of certifications, it won’t help you get a job. That’s what your reel is for.

If you have a great reel but you’ve never had formal training you’ll be hired before a guy/gal who knows every function of the software but can’t tell a story.

If you can get an employer to pay for the classes as “continuing education”, by all means take them. If you have to pay for them yourself and you just want to edit (not teach), it’s probably not worth the money. Anything you don’t already know can probably be answered here at the Cow, anyway.

Michael.