is there a single person on this forum making a living with FCP X ?

[Craig Seeman]

I’m biding on a job that may be well suited for FCPX.
The potential client has a history of doing things in iMovie so I’d be able to import their work if needed. The project is file based. There will be no need to send things to outside apps. They’d be very happy with Motion style FX. The delivery will be entirely file based likely to include Apple devices in addition to the web. I am not sure yet because they are still some variables but FCPX is certainly a strong consideration for this job. I’ve seen no “deal breaker” for this job and FCPX and see potential advantages.

[Jerry Hofmann]

FCP X is still full of holes, but my next project will be shot file based, and delivery is a set of web streams. I’ll use X for it… it’s customer service online videos… perfect for this software.

Gotta say, as I use it, I’m finding it extremely fast software.

Jerry

Apple Certified Trainer, Producer, Writer, Director Editor, Gun for Hire and other things. I ski. My Blog: https://blogs.creativecow.net/Jerry-Hofmann

Current DVD:
https://store.creativecow.net/p/81/jerry_hofmanns_final_cut_system_setup

8-Core 3.0 Intel Mac Pro, Dual 2 gig G5, AJA Kona SD, AJA Kona 2, Huge Systems Array UL3D, AJA Io HD, 17″ MBP, Matrox MXO2 with MAX – Cinema Displays I have a 22″ that I paid 4k for still working. G4 with Kona SD card, and SCSI card.

[John Pale]

I’m doing a very basic video for a client with it right now. I thought it would be a good test…as its all file based, not very heavy on FX, and does not require output to tape. No burning deadline. No client in the room. So far its been pretty rocky, partly due to my own inexperience with the software, and partly due to some surprising missing functionality in FCPX (lots of little things relating to editorial problem solving and not the well publicized shortcomings everyone knows about). Its not all negative though. There are quite a few innovative ideas that work well in the software, too.

Most of my work is broadcast. I could not imagine even trying to do anything for broadcast with it yet or anything with a client in the room.

[Olof Ekbergh]

I am just starting a project for a kiosk at a visitors center. It will use HD and SD footage from many different sources EXcams, AF100, 5dmkII, 7D HDV and some DVcam and DV footage as well as a lot of stills.

I have already been prepping the project. The favorite and keyword functions are great. I plan to use Motion a lot in this project as well.

I am doing this as a test. Normally I would have done this in M100 and AE, possible some work in FCP7 on the XDcam footage.

This is the first version of FCP that really has me interested. I never liked FCP, always preferred M100 and AE.

The finished video will be looping on a 70″ screen using a BM SSD player. The cool thing is I can use the HDMI output to the 70″ screen as my second monitor from my MiniDisplayPort, so I get a pretty good idea of what it will look like when done.

I normally use a Kona or an MX02 for this, and they will work soon as well I hope. I will post if I run into trouble. This project will take about 60 days or so to finish.

Olof Ekbergh

[Sean Thomas]

[Bob Zelin]“is there a single person on this forum making a living with FCP X ? Because if the answer is YES, then I guess that says it all. “

This is obviously a rhetorical question. I wold not assume that anyone has thrown out ALL other software that they’ve ever used and now ONLY use FCP X to make their living. The software has only been out for a bout 2 weeks.

You are hearing more and more that people are starting to phase it in as a part of their workflow when the project fits what X has to offer.

BTW – What would “YES” say?

FCP X: Type A
[spell check OFF]

[Sean Thomas]

Sounds like a great project to jump in with X. Good luck and keep us informed.

I’m with you, 7 is so old feelling and looking. I’m tired of it and look forward to moving on with X.

BTW – Still got (2) M100 system siting in the closet!

FCP X: Type A
[spell check OFF]

[Tim Wilson]

[Sean Thomas] “BTW – Still got (2) M100 system siting in the closet!”

Sean, if you haven’t, you really owe it to yourself to check out the software-only version of Media 100. Not only will it open your old Media 100 projects (woo-hoo!), it will open your old FCP projects (WOO-HOO!!). It supports FCP and Avid media, including ProRes and DNxHD, 3rd-party hardware, and lots of other cool stuff.

If you haven’t used it for a while, you’re going to be very, very pleasantly surprised. Anybody who came to FCP from Media 100 should most definitely add this to the list of software to evaluate.

Disclosure: I spent $30,000 on the Media 100 system I built my business around, and another $15,000 for the TWENTY SEVEN GIGS of storage that went with it. Loooooved it.

[Mark Dobson]

Depends on what you mean by making a living. I make a living making programmes which I edit myself.

But I’m not sure how ironic your question is?

I’ve just finished my first fee paying job cut on FCP X. It was a painful experience because of the number
of operator errors and also crashes. Luckily one never loses anything with a crash because of the constant
save function built into the software.

It was a 3 fairly straightforward interview pieces with cutaways, whoops sorry , connected clips to the primary storyline, lower third titling and an opening and closing title sequence.

Due to my ineptitude it probably took twice as long as it would have done in FCP7 but I learnt a lot.

I’m now considering editing a 12 minute fairly complex documentary with FCP X. I find the front end of the job vastly superior to FCP7. Sorting clips with keywords into smart collections is a joy editing onto the primary timeline and connecting clips is getting easy and glueing things together with compound clips enables a really flexible way of working.

Sorting out interview material means experimenting with different methods of keywords, favorites and markers. Not on top of this side of things at all.

The only way I will ever learn this programme is working on fee paying jobs where there is both a deadline and financial ramifications if I don’t get it right.

What I have found is that working in FCP7 after all of this feels very pedantic and backwards and possibly a bit boring.

[Brian Langeman]

[Sean Thomas] “I’m with you, 7 is so old feelling and looking.”

I sure am glad that I can still buy an “old looking” guitar. Thank goodness microphone manufacturers don’t think the same way as apple.

Gee, old stuff really sucks… Why can’t they discontinue any instruments that were created more than 10 years ago? Oh wait, it’s because the way people did it 50 years ago is still the best way to do it. The technology behind recording music has drastically changed, but the principles (mic placement, mixing) have not.

[Craig Seeman]

[Brian Langeman] “I sure am glad that I can still buy an “old looking” guitar.”

You might want to look at the Chapman Stick. OK not in wide use . . . but you might consider how many musicians are using Keyboard synths instead of Pianos. Some new technology fills a niche and sometimes it can overtake older technology even though it doesn’t really replace it.

[Brian Langeman] “Why can’t they discontinue any instruments that were created more than 10 years ago?”

Have you tried buying a harpsichord lately?