FCP 7 manual for novice / dummy

[Michael Sacci]

The Apple Pro Training books are great, they walk you right through the software.

https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Pro-Training-Final-Cut/dp/0321635272/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275501824&sr=8-1

Then there are 2 others for advancing more in-depth. There are also several DVDs that are good if you would rather watch vs read and do. For software I prefer the latter myself.

[Tim Neary]

many thanks for the speedy reply. will look at both options as so far believe that the change is not going to be easy and in fact questioning the wisdom of the move

[Shane Ross]

Well, you gotta ask “what will working with FCP get me over working with Vegas get me? Does FCP do something that Vegas cannot?” If it does something you need, then making the switch is justified. If not, then why are you switching?

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[Tim Neary]

Vegas has worked well but did not enjoy JVC HDV format. That is no longer an issue as i have just gone back to Sony EX1R. Major reason for changing is that FCP and Avid are industry standard in SA and you find that you are continually asked for edit on either of the two so that your material can be broadcast tweaked by the commissioning house. Also in SA, no support for Vegas which is sad as i have been using it for 15 years

[Mark Petereit]

For what it’s worth, I never bought any manuals or any other how-to materials. Final Cut shipped with a tutorial DVD. I viewed that and picked up the (very) basics. Then I just plowed in and started editing.

Hit a roadblock, Googled it, read how-to articles, listened to podcasts, watched tutorial videos, even occasionally RTFM (online, of course.) Rinse and repeat.

You’ve already found the Cow, so you’re already light years ahead of where I started. 😉

Just do it.

[Scott Sheriff]

I agree with Mark.
The DVD that ships with FCP is sufficient to get you started if you already know how to edit. And everything else is in the FCP pdf, which you can download for free.

Scott Sheriff
Director
SST Digital Media
https://www.sstdigitalmedia.com

[Bj Ahlen]

I’ll second Michael’s recommendation of Diana Weynand’s APTS book.

Why?

Because it doesn’t just teach you how to do things, but it teaches you the BEST way to do all the basics.

That alone can save you hundreds of hours of work per year.

I have seen many self-taught old foxes who had no idea that so many things could be done in half the time or less…

There are some good DVDs too, but the book is self-pausing and takes up less room than a second screen.

Seriously, Diana Weynand’s book is very well organized and won’t waste your time in any way.

It has a Media DVD in the back with recent TV show footage for you to practice on, and the exercises are very good.

[Tim Neary]

Many thanks all. Will order book and give it another go.

[Mike Heffron]

Hey Tim I don’t know Vegas but I can solidly back up your feeling that FCP and Avid are the industry standards and if you want to work professionally as an editor you need to learn both. I started on Avid but about 2 years ago got my own FCP at home just to learn it because of all the calls I was getting.

Other than books and training classes I find one of the best ways to learn anything is jump into it and do a project. FCP is easier for this in that you can easily afford a home system and sweat out the learning curve in the privacy of your own home. Find something easy-ish to work on like a personal or student film. I did wedding videos for a guy, not a lot of money but I learned the basics pretty well.

[Bj Ahlen]

Oh, and spend $19.00 on the FCP Killer Secrets PDF download.

Overall, best $19.00 I ever spent on FCP education. great workflow description, tips and tricks.

FCP and Vegas are VERY different, you need help!

(Vegas was my main axe for many years, but it has a lot of limitations compared to FCP. Fastest NLE when it can be used though.)

If you get complex projects, be sure to get also Shane Ross’s “Getting Organized in FCP” (see link in his post above). I also learned some very helpful things from his LFHD blog, also linked above.