Customer Reviews

Apple Pro Training Series: The Craft of Editing with Final Cut Pro

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Most other books stop after explaining which buttons to press. This book is intended for people who already know that but want to know how to assemble a scene from the raw footage in a logical way.

There are different chapters for dialogue, action scenes, comedies, documentaries and music videos.

Finally also two chapters on audio, but I haven't read those yet.

Although this book is part of the Apple Pro Training Series and there are many references to Final Cut pro short cut keys, this book can in my opinion also be used with other editing programs.

Highly recommended.

On the surface, this seems like just another editing book. When I saw it at Barnes, I was struck with the table of contents. It's chapter headings are on technique. Better still, real world example where technique is put into action. Coming from an editing background (5+ years Avid & FCP) I was captivated by the prospect of reinforcing what I've acquired over the years - those intangible decisions an editor must make. And validated I was!

My method for the book was a bit unorthodox. I'd pull in the source (which by the way, you MUST load it in off the DVD before you start editing- its all encoded in DV NTSC resolution and my MBP wasn't fast enough to play off the disc) and cut my own edit, without anything.

Then I'd go through the book's lessons. It was gratifying because 90% of the time I selected the performances and audio bits the author did. Again, this was my primary point - reinforcing technique.

So, the bits I also found useful were the shortcut implementation (as the other reviewer said). There are many ways to skin a cat and it was interesting to follow along and see another viewpoint. I've added some of these tricks to my arsenal - my favorite was "Extend Edit" which I use regularly now (how did I miss this in the FCP manual???)

Overall, this book goes along well with Walter Murch's "In the blink of an eye" although Murch's has one up, because some of the technique are verbose. I didn't agree with the author's aversion to screen direction problems (often called breaking the 180 line). I have no qualms about including these types of cuts in my personal and professional work, the author thinks differently but then I go back to Murch's advice, screen direction being lower on the list as emotion, and things validate themselves.

That said, I don't see another book like this. It's a book that I'm glad someone wrote because honestly, who cares about pressing buttons, it's why we press them that's important. So, "The Craft of Editing" is on my shelf next to "Cinematic Storytelling" by Jennifer van Sijll - another contemporary book that breaks down the forethought of editing.

Solid book for understanding cinema in different genres and what editors are thinking about. Explains techniques in an engaging style. Info presented is useful for many platforms, not just FCP.

Awesome book for those who have some experience and are familiar with Final Cut Pro. The dvds are a bit shotty sometimes as far as file stability but other than that the book has good info and tips.

I checked before I bought the book if I can use this with Final Cut Express and even the author who I wrote to reply that I could.
But unfortunately, I was not able to do all the lessons. For some reasons, some lessons I was able to do but the majority I was not and that was frustrating. I even order another book with the DVD to see if the DVD that came with it was defective. No luck.

Otherwise, the 3 lessons that I got to do, were excellent. If I ever upgrade to Final Cut Pro, this will come in handy. I kept the book in case I ever hit the lotto or an unknown rich uncle leaves me an inheritance. I video edit as a hobby so there is no money profit for me and its not my profession. It's a skill I wanted to learn and this book is excellent for that. I do recommend it.

To me, this is the best FCP training book so far. It doesn't only teach you How to do it, it also teaches you Why you are doing it this way. Way to go!