book

Final Cut Pro Efficient Editing

by Iain Anderson

October 2020

Beginner to intermediate

796 pages

17h 6m

English

Packt Publishing

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Why subscribe?ContributorsAbout the authorAbout the reviewersWho this book is forWhat this book coversTo get the most out of this bookConventions usedGet in touchReviews
Interface 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
ResolutionPortrait 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° cameraAudio 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 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 media Generating 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 iMovieReview — 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 answers
Skimming 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
Review – 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
The 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 ProjectsReview — duplicating ProjectsSummaryReview questionsReview answers
Preparing 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

Understanding 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
Understanding 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 answers
Replacing 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 overwritingBlading 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
Preparing for color correctionUnderstanding Video ScopesUnderstanding Wide Gamut and HDRUnderstanding timeline selection subtletiesReview — Understanding the color workflowCorrecting white balance, exposure, and saturationUsing Balance Color and Match ColorAdjusting Exposure with the Color BoardAdjusting Saturation with the Color BoardUsing Color WheelsUsing 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 techniquesCopying and pasting color adjustmentsApplying color corrections from nearby clipsUsing Adjustment LayersReview — Advanced color techniquesSummaryReview questionsReview answers
CompositingTransformCropDistortCINEMATIC MODEStabilizationRolling ShutterSpatial ConformRate ConformReview — Adjusting video propertiesAnimating with keyframes AND TRACKINGAnimating in the InspectorAnimating the Crop propertyAnimating a color correctionANIMATING A MASK WITH 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 LooksDistortionKeyingLightLooksMasksNostalgiaStylizeTilingThird-party effectsMASKING VIDEO EFFECTSANIMATING VIDEO EFFECTS WITH TRACKINGAnimating video effects WITH KEYFRAMESCreate and use Effects PresetsReview — Applying and using video effectsSummaryReview questionsReview answers
Adding transitionsAdjusting a transitionThe most useful transitionsBlursDissolves LightsMovementsObjectsStylizedWipesThird-party transitionsRecap — Applying and editing transitionsRetiming basics Understanding slow motion and Automatic SpeedReview — retimingSpeed ramping and moreUsing special speed modesHold Frames and Freeze FramesRecap — Retiming and speed rampingSummaryReview questionsReview answers
Adjusting volume levelsCreating a custom audio workspaceUnderstanding waveformsChanging volume levelsChanging volume levels over timeUnderstanding Audio ConfigurationAdjusting multiple audio channelsAdjusting panningReview — Adjusting volume levelsAudio EnhancementsEqualizationManual EQMatch EQAudio AnalysisLoudnessNoise RemovalHum RemovalReview — Audio enhancementsApplying and using audio effectsAdding audio effectsThe best audio effectsDistortionEchoEQLevelsModulationSpacesSpecializedVoiceThird-party effectsReview — Applying and using audio effectsUsing Roles with audioUnderstanding signal flowUsing Compound Clips for audio mixingReview — Using Roles with audioSummaryReview questionsReview answers
Positioning text elementsEditing basic text propertiesEditing other text propertiesEditing 3D text parametersEditing unique parameters and adding animationThe best titles3D3D CinematicBuild In/OutBumper/OpenerCreditsElementsLower ThirdsSocialReview — Adding and editing titlesAdvanced title techniquesANIMATING TITLES WITH 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°BackgroundsElementsSolidsTexturesReview — Adding and editing generatorsCaptioning and subtitlesUnderstanding caption formatsCreating captionsEditing captionsUnderstanding standards and formattingReview — Captioning and subtitlesSummaryReview questionsReview answers
Performing 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 simple ProjectExporting 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 developmentsAugmented Reality (AR)Wide Gamut Color and HDRNew CodecsApple Silicon MacsCollaboration3D models may become more important360° video might take offCameras will get betterPHONES WILL GET BETTERFurther learningThe official FCP User GuideOnline video trainingOnline communitiesPodcasts and live streamsConferencesComplementary tools, plug-ins, and effectsReview — What's next?SummaryFinal wordsReview questionsReview answersAcknowledgements
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Content preview from Final Cut Pro Efficient Editing

Chapter 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 ...