Apple Pro Training Series Final Cut Pro 6: Beyond the Basics

Apple Pro Training Series Final Cut Pro 6: Beyond the Basics

by Michael Wohl
Released July 2007
Publisher(s): Peachpit Press
ISBN: 9780321579645

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Book description

In this Apple-authorized training book, director and filmmaker Michael Wohl teaches advanced skills that editing professionals need to know most Each chapter presents a complete lesson in some aspect of video editing or finishing, with hands-on projects for readers to complete as they go. Michael Wohl shows how to master advanced trimming techniques, make polished transitions, work with nested sequences, edit multi-camera projects, create fantastic effects, color-correct your video, and composite like a pro. This text also covers Soundtrack Pro, shows you how to manage your clips and media, and throughout the book he offers dozens of helpful tips on improving your editing workflow
The book’s DVD offers plenty of professional footage and project files for you to use as you work your way through each book’s lesson.

Note: This book was written for Final Cut Pro 6, and is not intended to be used with Final Cut Pro 7. Certain lessons, including Lesson 3 Multicamera Editing and Lesson 10 Variable Speed, will result in sync errors and possible system crashes when used with Final Cut Pro 7.

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
  2. Getting Started
    1. The Methodology
      1. Course Structure
    2. Using the DVD Book Files
      1. Installing the Final Cut Pro 6 Beyond the Basics Lesson Files
      2. Reconnecting Media
      3. Changing System Preferences
    3. System Requirements
    4. About the Apple Pro Training Series
    5. Apple Pro Certification Program
    6. Resources
  3. Advanced Editing
    1. 1. Accelerating Your Workflow
      1. Going Beyond the Double-Click
        1. Using the Recent Clips Pop-Up Menu
      2. Using Match Frame
        1. Viewing Master Clips in the Browser
        2. Matching to the Source File
      3. Using the Replace Edit
        1. Replacing One Shot with Another
        2. Replacing Using In and Out Points
        3. Replacing a Shot with Itself
      4. Ganging the Playheads
      5. Lesson Review
        1. Answers
    2. 2. Trimming Edits
      1. The Dynamic Art
      2. Understanding Basic Trimming
      3. Trimming from the Keyboard
        1. Extending Edits
        2. Using Numerical Trimming
      4. Splitting Edits
        1. Using Splits to Tighten Scenes
      5. Using Slip and Slide
        1. Slipping Clips
        2. Sliding Clips
      6. Performing Advanced Techniques
        1. Using the Trim Edit Window
        2. Trimming Dynamically
        3. Trimming Across Multiple Tracks
        4. Trimming Asymmetrically
      7. Lesson Review
        1. Answers
    3. 3. Multicamera Editing
      1. Editing Multicamera Footage
        1. Using the Multiclip
        2. Creating a Multiclip
        3. Editing with a Multiclip
        4. Collapsing a Multiclip
      2. Working with Many Angles
        1. Setting Angle Order
        2. Deleting and Adding Angles
        3. Offsetting Sync
        4. Editing the Multiclip
        5. Preset Multiclip Button Bars
        6. Switching Angles
        7. Using the Keyboard
        8. Separating Audio and Video
        9. Switching Audio and Video Separately
      3. Applying Effects to Multiclips
      4. Lesson Review
        1. Answers
      5. Cameo: Flying High (in High Def)—Brian Terwilliger
  4. Sound Editing
    1. 4. Sound Editing
      1. Understanding the Sound Editing Process
      2. Cleaning Dialogue
        1. Normalizing Audio
        2. Normalizing a Group of Clips
        3. Controlling Dynamic Range
        4. Separating Signal from Noise
        5. Controlling Audio Frequencies
        6. Correcting Highs and Lows
        7. Removing Hums
      3. Integrating Sound Effects
        1. Constructing Ambiances
        2. Editing Subframe Audio
        3. Enhancing the Scene
      4. Adding Music
      5. Lesson Review
        1. Answers
    2. 5. Sound Mixing
      1. Mixing in Final Cut Pro
        1. Fading In and Out
        2. Using Audio Keyframes to Fade
        3. Solo and Mute Controls
        4. Engaging the Button Bar
        5. Setting Audio Levels
        6. The Audio Mixer Window
          1. Setting Up Views in the Audio Mixer
        7. Mixing On-the-Fly
          1. Controlling Keyframe Frequency
          2. Resetting All Keyframes
        8. Creating Perspective
        9. Finishing Your Mix
      2. Mixing in Soundtrack Pro
        1. Sending to a Soundtrack Pro Multitrack Project
        2. Performing Basic Mixing Tasks
          1. Muting and Soloing
          2. Adding Fades
          3. Adjusting Levels
          4. Automating Level Changes
        3. Integrating Changes from Final Cut Pro
      3. Returning to Final Cut Pro
      4. Lesson Review
        1. Answers
      5. Cameo: Black Snake Moan—Billy Fox
  5. Visual Effects
    1. 6. Advanced Compositing
      1. Launching a Project
        1. Using RT Extreme Settings
        2. Monitoring Canvas Playback Quality
      2. Reviewing Motion Basics
        1. Resetting Attributes
      3. Creating a Multilayered Show Opener
        1. Previewing the Final Composition
        2. Editing Superimposed Video Layers
        3. Cropping Images
        4. Resizing and Repositioning Clips
        5. Positioning Clips Precisely in the Canvas
        6. Distorting Images
        7. Changing the Clip Timing
      4. Experimenting with Composite Modes
      5. Adding Graphics from a Layered Photoshop File
        1. Adding the Logo to the Composition
        2. Rotating the Surfboard
        3. Creating Transparency
      6. Copying Attributes
        1. Adjusting the Text Layers
        2. Adding Drop Shadows
      7. Creating a Travel Matte
      8. Lesson Review
        1. Answers
    2. 7. Mastering Video Filters
      1. Applying Filters
        1. Applying Filters to a Browser Clip
        2. Applying a Filter to a Clip in a Sequence
          1. Using Auto Select with Multiple Tracks
        3. Applying a Filter with Drag and Drop
        4. Applying a Filter to Multiple Clips
        5. Copying and Pasting Filters
        6. Applying a Filter to a Portion of a Clip
      2. Modifying Filters
        1. Changing Parameters
        2. Adjusting a Filter’s In and Out Points
        3. Resetting Parameters
        4. Deleting Filters
        5. Controlling Filter Order
      3. Moderating Filter Effects
        1. Controlling Filter Effect Amount
        2. Masking Filter Effects
      4. Managing Filters
        1. Preferred Effects
        2. Creating Favorite Filters
        3. Creating Filter Packs
        4. Organizing the Favorites Bin
        5. Moving and Preserving Favorites
      5. Using Specific Filter Categories
        1. Understanding Corrective Filters
          1. Blur and Sharpen
          2. Noise Filters
          3. Image Control and Color Correction Filters
          4. Flop Filters
          5. De-Interlacing and Flicker Reduction Filters
          6. Image Shake Filters
        2. Using Utility Filters
          1. Matte Filters
          2. Keying Filters
          3. Timecode Display Filters
        3. Using Non-Corrective Filters
          1. Distortion Filters
          2. Stylization Filters
          3. Tiling and Perspective Filters
          4. Glow Filters
          5. Time Adjustment Filters
        4. Using Other Filters
      6. Lesson Review
        1. Answers
    3. 8. Dynamic Effects
      1. Keyframing Basics
      2. Keyframing in the Canvas
        1. Modifying the Path
        2. Smoothing Your Path
        3. Moving the Path
        4. Deleting Keyframes
        5. Controlling Acceleration
        6. Keyframing Other Parameters
        7. Copying and Pasting Keyframes
      3. Keyframing in the Viewer
        1. Using Motion Blur
        2. Animating Keyframing Filters
      4. Keyframing in the Timeline
        1. Scaling Attribute Times
        2. Keyframing Audio Levels
        3. Displaying Keyframe Bars
          1. Customizing Keyframe Bars
        4. Editing Keyframe Graphs in the Timeline
      5. Saving Favorite Motion Effects
      6. Lesson Review
        1. Answers
    4. 9. Nesting Sequences
      1. Understanding Nested Sequences
      2. Using Basic Nesting
        1. Understanding Live Links
      3. Applying Effects to Multiple Clips
      4. Applying Complex Geometric Settings
        1. Apply Motion Parameters
        2. Add a Background Element
        3. Adjust the Anchor Point
      5. Changing the Render Order
      6. Reordering Motion Effects
      7. Mixing Sequence Sizes
      8. Using Nesting as an Editing Tool
        1. Mark a Sequence with In and Out Points
        2. Editing Within the Nested Sequence
          1. Using an Alternate Behavior
        3. Editing the Content of a Subsequence
      9. Lesson Review
        1. Answers
    5. 10. Variable Speed
      1. Using Basic Slow Motion
      2. Understanding Variable Speed Effects
        1. Creating a Freeze Frame
        2. Modifying Existing Speed Keyframes
        3. Applying Complex Speed Effects
        4. Making Gradual Speed Changes
      3. Using the Motion Viewer
        1. Copying and Saving Speed Effects
      4. Lesson Review
        1. Answers
  6. Color Correction
    1. 11. Controlling Contrast
      1. Understanding Contrast
        1. Getting Started
        2. Evaluating the Values in an Image—Highlights vs. Shadows
        3. Judging Contrast Ratios
        4. Comparing Low- and High-Contrast Images
        5. Comparing High- and Low-Key Images
      2. Controlling Contrast Using the Color Corrector 3-Way Filter
        1. Adjusting the Black and White Points
        2. Adjusting the Mids
        3. Stretching Contrast in a Video Clip
      3. Setting Mood with the Mids
      4. Creating Artificially High Contrast
        1. Creating a High-Contrast Look
        2. Applying the Broadcast Safe Filter
        3. A Note about Contrast and Grain
      5. Lesson Review
        1. Answers
    2. 12. Controlling Color
      1. Understanding Color Balance
      2. Using Primary Color Correction
      3. Understanding the Color Balance Controls
        1. Learning About the Color Wheel
          1. Manipulating Color Channels with the Color Balance Control
        2. Adjusting Saturation and Neutralizing Colors with Their Complementary Colors
      4. Identifying and Correcting Color Casts
        1. Identifying Color Casts
        2. Correcting Color Casts with the Auto-Balance Eyedroppers
        3. Sampling from the Mids
      5. Manipulating Color Directly in the Blacks, Mids, and Whites
        1. Learning Each Color Wheel’s Zone of Influence
        2. Color Balancing Zones of Luminance in an Image
      6. Lesson Review
        1. Answers
    3. 13. Color Correcting for Scene Continuity
      1. Achieving Visual Harmony
        1. Getting Started
      2. Comparing Two Clips
        1. Toggling Between Images in the Canvas
        2. Making Side-by-Side Comparisons with the Frame Viewer
      3. Setting Up for Scene-by-Scene Color Correction
        1. Setting Playhead Sync to Open
        2. Choosing Timeline Options
      4. Color Correcting a Complete Scene
        1. Choosing a Reference Shot
        2. Developing the Scene’s “Look”
        3. Matching Contrast Between Two Shots
        4. Matching Color Between Two Shots
        5. Copying Filters Forward to Other Clips from the Same Angle
        6. Matching Color with the Match Hue Controls
        7. Choosing and Balancing a Second Group of Images with Different Contrast
        8. Dragging Filters onto Other Shots
      5. Project Tasks
      6. Lesson Review
        1. Answers
      7. Cameo: Reign Over Tape—Jeremy Roush
  7. Project Management
    1. 14. Advanced Clip Management
      1. Using the Browser as a Clip Database
        1. Saving and Sorting Columns
        2. Viewing a Clip’s Item Properties
        3. Using Complex Find Operations
          1. Finding Unused Media
      2. Working with Timecode
        1. Viewing Timecode
        2. Fixing a Bad Reel Number
        3. Modifying Timecode
        4. Using Auxiliary Timecode Tracks
        5. Viewing Alternate Timecode Formats
        6. Renaming Clips and Files
      3. Recording to Dual Systems
        1. Syncing Clips
        2. Merging Clips
        3. Syncing Clips Manually
      4. Understanding 24p Editing Basics
        1. Converting 24p to 29.97
        2. Understanding Timecode and A Frames
        3. Viewing Edge Code and Timecode
        4. Editing 24 fps Originals at 29.97 fps
        5. Using Film-Safe Editing
        6. Returning 29.97 fps to 24 fps
        7. Using 2:3:3:2 Advanced Pulldown (Panasonic 24p)
        8. Capturing to 24p with Final Cut Pro
        9. Audio Issues with Reverse Telecine
      5. What About PAL?
        1. Getting from 24 fps to 25 fps
        2. Editing 24 @ 25
        3. Getting from 25 fps to 24 fps
        4. Outputting 24 fps Footage to a PAL Monitor
      6. Lesson Review
        1. Answers
    2. 15. Managing Media
      1. Understanding the Relationship Between Clips and Media
        1. Using Search Folders
        2. Forcing Clips Offline
        3. Reconnecting Offline Files
          1. Reconnecting Online Clips in One Step
        4. Deleting Media for Unused Clips
        5. Locating a Clip’s Media File
      2. Using the Media Manager
        1. Consolidating Media
        2. Moving Media
        3. Trimming Sequences in Media Manager
      3. Lesson Review
        1. Answers
    3. 16. Tapeless Importing and Outputting
      1. Ingesting Tapeless Clips
        1. Viewing Additional Metadata
      2. Outputting Content for DVD
        1. Exporting to MPEG-2 Using Presets
        2. Setting the Destination and Filename
        3. Customizing Compression Settings
        4. Customizing Additional Settings
        5. Saving and Applying Custom Presets
      3. Creating Video for HD DVDs
        1. Using Custom H.264 Settings
      4. Encoding Video for Other Devices
      5. Exporting Audio
        1. Setting AIFF Options
        2. Exporting Channel Groups
        3. Making a Multichannel QuickTime Movie
        4. Exporting Audio to OMF
        5. Delivering Corresponding Video
        6. Exporting to Dolby AC3 Format
      6. Exporting QuickTime Files
        1. Creating Reference Movies
      7. Lesson Review
        1. Answers
  8. Glossary
  9. The Apple Pro Training Series
    1. The Apple Training Series

Product information

  • Title: Apple Pro Training Series Final Cut Pro 6: Beyond the Basics
  • Author(s): Michael Wohl
  • Release date: July 2007
  • Publisher(s): Peachpit Press
  • ISBN: 9780321579645