book

Final Cut Pro Efficient Editing - Second Edition

by Iain Anderson

July 2023

Intermediate to advanced

828 pages

20h 31m

English

Packt Publishing

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Second EditionAbout the authorAbout the reviewersJoin us on Discord!
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A brief history of editingInterface basicsOverviewIn the central barIn the BrowserIn the Viewer paneOther important windows and controlsControlling the main windowThe Touch BarAn editing workflow overviewTerminologyWorkflowPart 1: Importing and OrganizingPart 2: Rough Cut to Fine CutPart 3: Finishing and ExportingHardware recommendationsA MacActive media storageBackup storageDisplaysAudioMedia card readerMiscellaneous USB gearAnything else?SummaryReview questionsReview answers
Getting the settings rightResolutionPortrait or landscape?Frame rateShutter speedBandingWhite balanceCodecsContainersReview — getting all the settings rightChoosing a cameraAn iPhone (or any other mobile phone)A DSLR or mirrorless cameraA high-end cameraAn action camera or droneA 360° cameraA SPATIAL OR IMMERSIVE C A M E R AAudio equipmentOther accessoriesReview — choosing a camera and audio equipmentShooting the right shotsA-rollB-rollMovementFocus pullingDifferent perspectivesFramingReview — shooting the right shotsWorking with multiple cameras and audio recordersConference presentationsInterviewsPhysical movementWeddings and live eventsReview — working with multiple cameras and audio recordersManaging everything on setReview — managing everything on setSummaryReview questionsReview answers
Creating a Library (in the right place)Creating and naming a LibraryDeciding where to store mediaReview — creating a Library (in the right place)Understanding original, optimized, and proxy footageUnderstanding optimized media (ProRes 422)Understanding proxy mediaGenerating transcoded mediaViewing proxy mediaReview — understanding original, optimized, and proxy footageImporting media in different waysThe Import windowImporting via drag and dropManaging storage spaceUsing camera archivesReimporting mediaImporting from iMovie or FCP for iPadReview — importing media in different waysSyncing media from multiple devicesCreating synchronized clipsCreating Multicam ClipsChecking and resyncing a multicam clipReview — syncing media from multiple devicesUnderstanding and applying RolesReview — understanding and applying RolesSummaryReview questionsReview answersJoin us on Discord!
Reviewing your mediaSkimming is awesomeExploring the ViewerA/V OutputReview — reviewing your mediaBrowser view optionsList viewFilmstrip viewReview — Browser view optionsPlayback shortcutsBasic shortcutsExtended shortcutsReview — playback shortcutsExamining metadataMetadata in List viewMetadata in the InspectorReview — examining metadataUnderstanding and applying KeywordsApplying Keywords to clipsAutomatic tagging for peopleReview — understanding and applying KeywordsSearching with KeywordsReview — searching with KeywordsSummaryReview questionsReview Answers
Selecting part of a clipReview — selecting part of a clipRating as a FavoriteShowing only the FavoritesReview — rating as a FavoriteRating as RejectedReview — rating as RejectedStoring additional informationSelective KeywordsNotesNamesMarkersReview — storing additional informationAdvanced searchesReview — advanced searchesSummaryReview questionsReview answers
Creating a new ProjectThe perils of Automatic SettingsCustom Project settingsNon-standard resolutionsMoving between open ProjectsReview — creating a new ProjectAdding your media in a few different waysAppending with a button or shortcutAdding clips with drag and dropInserting with a button or shortcutHow to use SnappingRevisiting the Skimmer and the PlayheadAdding temporary clipsReview — adding your media in a few different waysRearranging your clipsMoving clips in the Magnetic TimelineSelecting multiple clipsDuplicating clipsBasic timeline shortcutsReview — rearranging your clipsBasic trimming with the Magnetic TimelineDo you have enough media?Trimming with the mouseTrimming with the keyboardTrimming the top and tail of a clipExtending editsReview — basic trimming with the Magnetic TimelineBlading and deletingDeleting clipsBreaking up a clipSelecting part of a clipReview — blading and deletingDuplicating ProjectsSummaryReview questionsReview answers
Understanding cutawaysPreparing for a cutawayReview — understanding cutawaysConnecting clipsConnecting visual B-rollConnecting sound effectsConnecting only audio or videoUnderstanding connectionsWorking with musicTrimming connected clipsReview — connecting clipsGrouping connected clips in StorylinesReview — grouping connected clips in StorylinesControlling and overriding connectionsReview — controlling and overriding connectionsThree-point editing and moreBacktimingOverwritingCopy and pasteReview — three-point editing and moreSummaryReview questionsReview answers
Rolling an editUnderstanding a regular trim editPerforming a Roll editUsing keyboard shortcuts to RollReview — Rolling an editSlipping and Sliding clipsUsing a Slip editUsing a Slide editReview — Slipping and sliding clipsSoftening audio with split edits (J- and L-cuts)Expanding and collapsing audioOverlapping audio edit pointsFading audio editsFading music for beat-matchingReview — softening audio with split edits (J- and L-cuts)Editing numerically and with the precision editorTrimming using numbersSetting clip durationMoving to a specific timecodeUsing the precision editorReview — editing numerically and with the precision editorSummaryReview questionsReview answers

Working with Multicam mediaUnderstanding Multicam footagePreparing to edit with the Angle ViewerSwitching anglesReplacing and editing existing anglesEditing inside a Multicam angleReview — working with Multicam mediaExchanging one clip with anotherShowing or hiding a clipReplacing clipsReview — exchanging one clip with anotherCreating and using AuditionsReview — creating and using AuditionsSummaryReview questionsReview answersJoin us on Discord!
Creating and using Compound ClipsReplacing media using Multicam ClipsUnderstanding Compound Clip trimming issuesUnderstanding container duplication issuesReview — creating and using Compound ClipsLow-level relinkingRelinking to replace a clipExternal media and relinkingReview — low-level relinkingMore tricks with toolsOverriding the Magnetic Timeline with the Position toolLifting and overwritingCollapse to Connected StorylineMOVING CLIPS UP AND DOWNBlading multiple clips at onceZooming and scrolling with toolsReview — more tricks with toolsAdding and navigating with MarkersReview — adding and navigating with MarkersUsing the Timeline IndexReview — using the Timeline IndexSummaryReview questionsReview answers
Understanding the color workflowPreparing for color correctionUnderstanding Video ScopesUnderstanding Wide Gamut and HDRUnderstanding timeline selection subtletiesReview — Understanding the color workflowCorrecting white balance, exposure, and saturationUsing automatic color correctionsAdjusting Exposure with the Color BoardAdjusting Saturation with the Color BoardAdjusting white balance with the Color BoardUsing Color WheelsUsing Color AdjustmentsUsing the Comparison ViewerReview — Correcting white balance, exposure, and saturationFinessing contrast and moreUsing Color Curves to change contrastUsing the eyedropper to sample the imageUsing the color channel curvesReview — Finessing contrast and moreSelective correctionsUsing Hue/Saturation Curves to change colorUsing a Color Mask to restrict a correctionUsing a Shape Mask to restrict a correctionCombining multiple masks togetherReview — Selective correctionsAdvanced color techniquesRenaming color correctionsDuplicating color correctionsApplying color corrections from nearby clipsUsing Adjustment CLIPSReview — Advanced color techniquesSummaryReview questionsReview answers
Adjusting video propertiesCompositingSTEREOSCOPICTransformCropDistortCinematic ModeStabilizationRolling ShutterSpatial ConformRate ConformColor ConformReview — adjusting video propertiesAnimating with keyframes and trackingAnimating in the InspectorAnimating the Crop propertyAnimating a color correctionTRACKING STRATEGIESANIMATING A MASK WITH THE MAGNETIC MASKANIMATING A MASK WITH OBJECT TRACKINGAnimating a mask with keyframesEditing keyframes in the InspectorAnimating on the timeline with Video AnimationAnimating keyframes in the ViewerAlternative animation methodsReview — animating with keyframes and trackingApplying and using video effectsAdding video effectsAdjusting video effectsThe most useful video effectsBasicsBlurColorComic LooksDistortionLightLooksMasks and keyingNostalgiaREFRAMEStylizeTilingThird-party effectsMasking video effectsANIMATING VIDEO EFFECTS WITH THE MAGNETIC MASK Animating video effects with OBJECT trackingAnimating video effects with keyframesCreate and use Effects PresetsReview — applying and using video effectsSummaryReview questionsReview answersJoin us on Discord!
Applying and editing transitionsAdding transitionsAdjusting a transitionThe most useful transitionsBlursDissolvesLightsMODULAR TRANSITIONSMovementsObjectsStylizedWipesThird-party transitionsREVIEW — applying and editing transitionsRetiming basicsUnderstanding slow motion and Automatic SpeedReview — retimingSpeed ramping and moreUsing special speed modesHold Frames and Freeze FramesReview — retiming and speed rampingSummaryReview questionsReview answers
Recording and editing a voiceoverAdjusting volume levelsCreating a custom Audio WorkspaceUnderstanding waveformsChanging volume levelsChanging volume levels over timeUnderstanding Audio ConfigurationAdjusting multiple audio channelsAdjusting panningReview — adjusting volume levelsAudio EnhancementsEqualizationManual EQMatch EQVoice IsolationAudio AnalysisLoudnessNoise RemovalHum RemovalReview — audio enhancementsApplying and using audio effectsAdding audio effectsThe best audio effectsDistortionEchoEQLevelsModulationSpacesSpecializedVoiceThird-party effectsAudio AnimationReview — applying and using audio effectsUsing Roles with audioUnderstanding signal flowUsing Compound Clips for audio mixingReview — using Roles with audioSummaryReview questionsReview answers
Adding and editing titlesPositioning text elementsEditing basic text propertiesEditing other text propertiesEditing 3D text parametersEditing unique parameters and adding animationThe best titles3D3D CinematicBasic TextBuild In/OutBumper/OpenerCreditsDynamic Titles (new in 10.6.6)ElementsEssential Titles (new in 10.6.6)Lower ThirdsSocialReview — Adding and editing titlesAdvanced title techniquesAnimating titles with Object TrackingReplacing text in titlesRetiming titles with Compound ClipsCreating complex titles with Compound ClipsUsing Drop ZonesReview — advanced title techniquesAdding and editing generatorsAdding and editing a simple GeneratorChanging advanced Generator settingsPositioning a GeneratorThe best Generators360°BackgroundsDynamic BackgroundsElementsObjectsPattern BackgroundsSolidsTexturesReview — adding and editing generatorsCaptioning and subtitlesUnderstanding caption formatsCreating captionsEditing captionsUnderstanding standards and formattingReview — captioning and subtitlesSummaryReview questionsReview answers
Preparing for sharingPerforming final checksLimiting the audio levelsLimiting the video levelsCreating duplicate Projects for different aspect ratiosLimiting role visibilitySetting up a sharing presetReview — preparing for sharingExporting, uploading, and distributing your videoExporting a compressed videoUploading for client reviewUploading for distributionReview — exporting, uploading, and distributing your videoExporting for further productionUnderstanding ProResExporting a ProRes VideoExporting separate elements with RolesExporting to XMLCollaborating using librariesReview — exporting for further productionArchiving your workConsolidating mediaReducing the size of librariesDeleting unused mediaCopying to an archive driveRestoring from a backupReview — archiving your workWhat’s next?Predicting future developmentsSpatial and IMMERSIVE 3D VideoWide Gamut Color and HDRCollaboration3D models may become more importantCameras will get betterPhones will get betterFurther learningThe official FCP User GuideOnline video trainingOnline communities AND WEBSITESPodcasts and live streamsConferencesComplementary tools, plug-ins, and effectsReview — what’s next?SummaryFinal wordsReview questionsReview answers
IntroductionUnderstanding 360° camerasPlanning for deliverySupporting the cameraPositioning your subjectsDuring the shootProcessing your footageEditing 360° footage in a 360° timelineEditing considerationsUnderstanding ReorientEffects and Transitions in 360°360° Titles and GeneratorsDo you want to deliver in 360°?Editing 360° footage in a regular timelineUnderstanding OrientationReprocessing original footageSummary
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Content preview from Final Cut Pro Efficient Editing - Second Edition

2 Before the Edit: Production Tips

“With Final Cut Pro, I appreciate how the “how” of the edit gets out of the way so quickly, so I can explore the creativity in the “what” of the edit. Editing is much less tiring in Final Cut because it is so much more enjoyable.”

— Alex “4D” Gollner, Final Cut Pro plugin maker (Alex4D.com)

This chapter, unlike the other chapters in this book, isn’t directly about Final Cut Pro (FCP). Instead, it deals with many of the technical and camera-based details that you should know and the basics that you must know — codecs, shot types, data rates, and more. Technical details are important, regardless of whether you’re shooting your own video or you’re working with a separate operator, because you’ll know what t ...