Edit Assistant, I was learning FCP7…

[Steve Connor]

If you have to choose one, choose Avid.

“My Name is Steve and I’m an FCPX user”

[Robin Lewis]

Don’t buy any of them Tom, at this stage you do not need to buy anything especially if you are trying to second guess the industry. You at this stage will not be making any money from the software so except for FCP X which is the cheapest of them all, they are expensive and there are other ways to learn them, like borrowing a work laptop or even better getting your work to let you edit.

Some editors are really stuck to one programme and I think that is a massive mistake, my advise learn them all especially FCP 7 and Avid this will put you in better stead when you go freelance.. even better learn After effects, cinema 4D, motion, and a become a pro at grading the more versatile you are the better.

[Robin Lewis]

Also I’m not sure FCP X will be a disappointment some very promising features and it has only just come out.

100% they released it far too early but don’t get carried away it won’t become a standard in the next 6 years.

[Tom Bh]

Cool, that’s good advice. I currently have access to FCP7, FCPX as well as the Adobe suite (We’re a FCP7 facility but have a couple of licenses for the others).

It’s less about cost & more about what I invest my time in.

To be fair, FCP7 is what I am most accomplished with, I’m familiar with video layers, crossfades, file structure, trashing preferences blah blah blah…

I am concentrating on speed at the moment… well shortcuts + copying edit styles from the completed projects.

I guess now would be a good time to try Avid or Adobe

[David Roth weiss]

The answer to your original question also has a lot to do with the market you work in, which the others failed to mention. For instance, in Los Angeles, switching to Avid from FCP is essentially a no-brainer, simply because no one uses Premiere. I’m not putting Premiere down, just stating a fact. It may well be that Adobe’s new surge to garner the professional market may change things in the near future, especially when ver 6 arrives and when the Iridas acquisition is eventually rolled into the Adobe suite, but at least for now, L.A. is heading toward being all Avid all the time.

So, the big question in you case Tom would be, where are you, and what are the others in your sphere using now or switching to over the next year?

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.com

Don’t miss my new Creative Cow Podcast: Bringing “The Whale” to the Big Screen:
https://library.creativecow.net/weiss_roth_david/Podcast-Series-2-MikeParfitandSuzanneChisholm/1

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

Creative COW contributing editor and a forum host of the Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums.

[Jamie Franklin]

FCx will never be a standard. So while it might be handy to poke around and get to know it since online media will be strong and there is a place for this dreadful software, I wouldn’t dedicate your time that could be better spent elsewhere on another NLE that is actually going to take FC7’s place and doesn’t annoy you to no end with a redonkulous timeline. I think there are trials for Avid, but wait until MC6 comes out before committing.

I’ll be going the same route as 75% of new projects I’m looking at these days are requesting Avid. CS5 is fine, get to know that beast until the new Media Composer is released…

Good luck!

[Jeremy Garchow]

Take advantage of free trials and the lower cost of entry with the “switch” deals. The low cost won’t last forever.

[Chris Harlan]

Tom,

What city are you working in? What are the local shops doing? Answer this and you pretty much have your answer.

I agree with others that it is a pretty good idea to know everything, which I’m sure you agree with, as well. As to the system you build up 12 tons of muscle memory with, it really depends on the micro system you are part of. How ever much I might like to give Premiere a go, the answer for me–in Los Angeles–seems clearly to be Avid, though I suppose it is possible that Premiere might take hold in some boutique promo houses because of AE.

So look around your town and start asking.

[Neil Patience]

Hi Tom

Have to say agree with David, where you are and what market you are in will, to a degree, inform your decision and shape any advice given. From a UK perspective, Premiere is currently nowhere in London too, I have been freelance for 20 years and have worked in just about every editing environment you can imagine. Never once used Adobe in anger. I work through the longest established broadcast freelance agency in London, they have been going for 25 years, and I just asked them today if they have ever been asked for a Premiere editor – the reply – “We were once a few years ago but other than that never.”
It will be very interesting to see if that changes though, it may well do.

I would advise you try to learn Avid, it is by far the most used system by broadcasters, facility houses and many production companies in London or LA by the sound of it.
Your FCP knowledge is useful though, In London there are still quite a few FCP suites around and most people who have FCP seem to be sticking with it at the moment. I am pretty sure FCPX wont get a serious look in for some time, dont ignore it but keep it on the back burner for now.

Again as an example my agency wont take anyone on who does not know both Avid and FCP, that goes for editors and assistants.

I would download the free Avid demo and have a play with it for a while before buying it though.

best wishes
Neil
http://www.patience.tv

[Steve Connor]

[tom Barton-Humphreys] “It’s less about cost & more about what I invest my time in.

To be fair, FCP7 is what I am most accomplished with, I’m familiar with video layers, crossfades, file structure, trashing preferences blah blah blah…

I am concentrating on speed at the moment… well shortcuts + copying edit styles from the completed projects.

I guess now would be a good time to try Avid or Adobe”

Avid is certainly the biggest learning curve if you have never used it and would certainly require more time than the others to get up to a reasonable speed. PPro is not a huge leap from FCP7.

Call around some facilities in your area and ask what they use and what their plans are, that might give you better idea of where to go.

BTW don’t get too caught up with speed at the expense of the actual craft of editing

“My Name is Steve and I’m an FCPX user”