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Starting the first project in FCP X
Today marked an epoch as I began a new project, held my breath and fired up FCP X.
I’m particularly interested in how FCP X can ingest other forms of media, so I chose a 20 min long H.264 rendered MOV file and set to work.By the end of the day, I now know that FCP X will crash on my 10.6.8 system about once an hour. However, no edits were lost in that experience – which is a blessing.
The combined canvass and viewer took a little getting used to but mainly from previewing the material and when and where to make the ‘I”s and “O”s. What was immensely efficient were the QWE keys to insert clips to the timeline.
I’ve used masking extensively in FCP 7 and this caused me to scratch my head somewhat in FCP X as there are no garbage masks that will work with animation. So it was a matter of having multiple tracks and masking out parts as I went.
Changing or editing the values placed on clips via ctrl+v key combination become second nature after about 15mins and copying the attributes of one clip and imposing them on another was more efficient than I had originally thought although NOT as easy on the fingers (I still like my Cmd+c & Opt+V, personally).
In under two or three minutes I was able to correctly figure out and employ the Transform and Crop keys/ buttons in the main window (terminology, sorry) and when used in concert with each other can alleviate a great deal of what was required in FCP 7.
Tomorrow sees me using generators, colour correction and audio
My head is somewhat aching from constantly keeping in mind the new workflow and I think that’s going to take me sometime to shake off as, yes, there are parts of FCP 7 that I longed for, today. I now have an ongoing and burgeoning list of post=its lining the extents of my displays so I can recall the new versions of shortcuts that otherwise would leave me pasting in the same clip time and time again and thinking I was some heck of a rocket scientist!
If you are reading this, thank you. I’m not a big time editor in anyway and I am in awe – yes correct, in awe of many of CC’s members. I make small slots for corporations and product launches so feel free to flame me or to ask questions, I have broad shoulders.
But, FCP X on the simple editing side is NOT BAD. I’m a doubting Thomas but I was truly impressed with many of the features I used for the first time today but baulked at the new workflows that I’m being asked to implement. The thing is this; you get paid for your work, I do too. That makes us professionals and we are being paid for our knowledge and our experience and unless you practice than you’ll never become perfect.
We all play a part in this forum; share the love, share the knowledge.
Lawrence
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3 Replies
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Thanks for taking the time to write this Lawrence. I’m looking forward to the day I have the confidence to start a project on X.
Joel Peregrine/Wedding Films|WeddingFilms.com|YouTube Channel
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Its amazing how we all have to write our adventures in this new world we call FCPX 🙂
Keep em coming cause we need to hear your voice.
I learn so much from reading posts such as yours.
Im currently approaching it from a different angle.
Avid user by day but teach FCP at local college by night.
I’ve been writing out tutorials and find FCPX to be just an amazing tool.
I try not to put it against the older paradigm since most of my students are first year.
Keep in mind that these are mostly hobbyists and not aspiring Film editors.Great post!
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I, too am starting my new project in FCPX. After editing a shot docu-style commercial and seeing how the thing screams on my new iMac, I’m convinced that (at least for non-fiction work) this new tool is going to save me a ton of time. The skimmer is very quick, and the key wording is nothing short of amazing for organizing my thoughts.
Feature length doc, here I come (a labor of passion).
I’m referencing all the H.264 files (shot on the Canon 7D) off a LaCie network storage drive, importing it using proxy media to a G-Tech RAID 0 1TB drive (short on cash, thus short on space). The FCP project file is housed on one drive, the Event is housed on another.
Eventually, I’ll “online” by checking the checkbox in the preferences that allow me to reference the original media. Although I’m torn between whether I should also convert all my “selects” after the cut is done to “Optimized Media”.
Very few crashes thus far. But still itching for a .1 update.
My thanks for those who are using the tool and pushing it to find out what it really can do 🙂
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FCP Guru
http://www.fcpguru.com
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