Customer Reviews

Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro 7 Advanced Editing

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"Final Cut Pro 7 Advanced Editing"

By Michael Wohl

A Review by: Jay Miracle

I'm constantly having to relearn the concept that you cannot always tell a book by its cover.

When I took a look at the cover of this "Final Cut Pro 7 Advanced Editing" book, part of the Apple Pro Training Series, I always thought it would be a bit dry and geeky for me. It had that classic appearance of one of my lovely high school textbooks - and I often struggled to keep awake perusing those.

But I recently read and worked through this excellent Final Cut Advanced Editing manual, and was extremely pleased at the new and fundamental knowledge I acquired by following the program and the accompanying DVD.

The Apple Pro Training series is much more accessible to an Editor than I had imagined.

Although I have been editing in Final Cut for over six years, I never took a formal training course, and this book really helped to sharpen a lot of my skills as well as re-educate me to some basics I must have learned incorrectly along the way.

Each section addresses important segments for a skilled-editor's toolbox: from basic Editing Techniques, to Workflow, Mastering Video Filters and Effects, Understanding Nesting Sequences (I've stumbled through this countless times), to the essentials of Working with Speed Changes, Finishing Techniques, and the ever-growing RED tsunami.

I've had a lot of misconceptions and misunderstanding regarding almost all these areas, but what really helped me was the great DVD of projects and exercises that accompanies each chapter. And a really fun part of the book that I sorely missed in high school was the Answers to all the Lesson Review Questions at the end of each chapter.

I worked through this slowly and methodically, and I got a tremendous amount of new information as well as some new editing chops.

Some day I'm hoping I might draw somewhat closer to the 15 year skill-set my shiny new Assistant has had ingrained in his brain since he was 5 years old.

For the rest of us, this book is a blessing.

This book is very clearly written, great real world examples, and I'd say one of the best instruction books I have come across. This book explains all the advanced techniques, including how to edit your video while it plays (something I consider essential to creating professional videos). If you're serious about using Final Cut, get this book, it's worth the price.

I had already gotten through the first FCP training book from Peachpit Press and really enjoyed learning the basics with that. It helped me prepare for my Apple Pro Level 1 certification exam, so I was really looking forward to going further. This Advanced Editing book did not disappoint. Clearly written-out concepts (for the most part), interesting practice footage, full color illustrations... everything about it is top notch. I recently passed my level 2 certification exam on my way to a Master Pro certification. If all training books were written this well, I feel like I could learn just about any computer program there is. In fact, I intend to go through all the FCP-related training books and maybe even do some of the other OS X related ones, even though I don't need to. It's actually quite fun.

I recommend this book whether you have only a basic understanding of FCP or a seasoned pro who wants to brush up and reinforce the basics.

This book serves the purpose of teaching editing on final cut pro and covers all the aspects of advanced editing very well. It comes with exercises to do in a CD attached to the book. There are clear instructions on how to access the material and how to work on the material. The CD has a set of final versions which the student should look at and then it has the footage with which the student must aim to match the final version. The instructions clearly explain the tools the student has to use in the software to create the final version.The book serves its purpose.It is kind of pricey for a student but maybe two students could buy it and share it. But if editing is really what you want to do, then I would suggest buying your own copy.

I couldnt put this book down! An easy and fluid read with the assignments laid out logically and comprehensively. This book has enhanced my skills and made me a better editor. This book is a deeper look into the inner workings of the FCP software version 7.

recieved the item as promised and love the item. I recommed the seller and item to whoever is interested in learning more about FCP. Easy to read and informative.