Newbie asks “Why Apple?”

[13]

Well anything will be a HUGE step up from windows movie maker.

First don’t base your decision off of the way the computer looks, base it off of what it can do.

Personally I only use mac and Final cut, I have used premiere on windows several years ago, but dumped that for mac after windows would whack out every 20 min. After moving to the mac I just fell in love the the Apples production suite, and found it MUCH easier then any windows software I have ever used. The work great together and frankly found that I could get much better and more professional results from Final Cut and DVD Studio.

I think that many people who stick with Adobe and windows only do so because they are mostly looking at price. Sure you can get a cheep PC and many windows graphics cards come with a free copy of premiere, but I have always been of the opinion that you get what you pay for, spend a little more on a good mac and Final cut studio and a whole new world opens up to you.

[David Battistella]

I’ll just add that Final Cut Pro has a purchased installed user base of about 1 million customers now. That means more people will develop for it and you have more knowledge to draw on when learning the program.

David

Peace and Love 🙂
Read my Blog
https://blogs.creativecow.net/DavidBattistella

[Richard Harrington]

1- Are there any wedding guys out there using FCP?

You care correct… not as many as Premiere Pro and others… but you should look at WEVA and its website/publications. You will see FCP stories in there. Plus Apple is very accommodating with many of its DVD and Motion templates specifically with a “wedding” look.

2- If so are you happy, can you compare the two, specific to wedding/baptism industry?
Can’t comment here….

3- Can I start my business using a laptop, or is a desktop system a must. Why/why not?
Laptops are great… (own several for my business)… but
Break More (because they are moved a lot)
Get stolen More (because they are popular)
Are More Expensive (Because they are portable)

Dollar for Dollar, the new IMac High End Rocks… I just bought one… If you are only working in DV.. you likley have no reason to buy a pro tower…

If you work with other formats… then you’ll want the expandipility of card slots.

-Rich

[Tom Meegan]

Software:

I’m a FCP guy, but if I had to pick just one, I would be torn. I use Photoshop and After Effects a lot.

Both candidates are overqualified.

Choosing between FCS 2 and Adobe’s CS3 Production Suite comes down to the features you think you will need.

Compare and contrast. I would not consider what your competition uses as a determining factor, unless one of them is going to provide technical support and training.

Speaking of which

[Nate Graham]

I shoot weddings and I use Final Cut Studio and I love it. I may be quite biased here but if you can afford it go with the Mac and final cut. I don’t know anyone who has ever had any regrets with it. Macs are solid and Final Cut is quick and effecient. If you need training on the software the Apple Pro Training series books are good; they’ll get you up to speed on the software rather quickly.

Concerning laptops: I only own a Macbook Pro. I wish I had a nice beefy MacPro but for what I’ve been doing I just don’t really need one. Consider what services you would like to offer. If you ever plan on doing a “same day edit” for wedding videos then a laptop is a must! I don’t know how well trying to do a same day edit in final cut on a laptop would work with HDV but that could be another question to ask (I only shoot DV).

I’ve never played with after effects but I find that motion is well suited for everything I do. Special effects aren’t really for weddings if you know what I mean; however, I do find that the creative use of text created in motion can be quite nice for wedding DVDs.

Good Luck in your endeavor!

Nate