Apple Pro Training Series: Motion Graphics and Effects in Final Cut Studio 2 [Paperback]

Mark Spencer (Author), Jem Schofield (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0321509404 | ISBN-13: 978-0321509406 | Publication Date: June 22, 2007 | Edition: 1

This practical book focuses on just the parts of Final Cut Studio that editors and designers need to create motion graphics in their daily work. Using footage from the BBC archives along with Motion, Final Cut Pro, and Live Type (all included in Final Cut Studio), you’ll build broadcast-quality titles, motion menus, show bumpers, and news opens. As with the other titles in the Apple Pro Training Series, each chapter in this Apple-authorized guide represents a complete lesson--with projects to complete and a review section to reinforce the lessons. Author and video editor/producers Mark Spencer and Jem Schofield begin by introducing the basics of creating an animated title sequence with Final Cut Pro. From there, you’ll learn everything from text animation, compositing, and keyframing to 3D set creation and camera animation. Step-by-step exercises and a DVD with project and media files will have you creating stunning motion graphics in no time.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mark Spencer, a San Francisco-based film and video editor and producer, has been editing with Final Cut Pro since its introduction in 1999. He owns Day Street Productions, a production and post studio focused on corporate video, with customers such as Trend Micro, Applied Biosystems, and YCI-TV. Mark also has experience cutting documentaries (Girl Beat), short films (Tripoli Sun) and animation (Alligator Planet). He is an Apple Certified instructor in Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, and Motion, and the author of Motion Visual Quick Start Guide. Mark holds an MBA in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Jem Schofield is a producer and creative director and the owner of Buttons Productions, a production house that produces video, motion graphics, DVD, and audio projects. Jem is also an Apple Certified Trainer who consults on and teaches production and post-production solutions throughout the United States. He is a contributing writer to Video Systems and Studio Monthly magazines.

Product Details

• Paperback: 624 pages
• Publisher: Peachpit Press; 1 edition (June 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321509404
• ISBN-13: 978-0321509406
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #623,411 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #52 in Books > Computers & Technology > Apple > Final Cut

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fast Way To Get Up And Running, July 25, 2007

By 

PROJECT359 (Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apple Pro Training Series: Motion Graphics and Effects in Final Cut Studio 2 (Paperback)

After using Adobe's Premiere and After Effects for a number of years, I finally decided to switch to Final Cut Studio 2.

Whilst editing methods in Final Cut Studio were pretty much the same, I wanted to unlock the hidden gems that I knew FCS2 had under the hood.

I've been a fan of Peachpit Press' releases so I didn't hesitate to stock up on the Final Cut Studio 2 series. Of all the titles in this category, "Apple Pro Training Series: Motion Graphics and Effects in Final Cut Studio 2" was the first to arrive in the mail.

Each lesson is fun and takes you through the new features and quickly gets you familiar with the power of the software.

This is a perfect book for anyone new to Apple's mammoth A/V suite and also for those that wish to become certified without attending classes. Using this book series, you can take the Apple Certified Pro Level 1 exams (for Level 2, you will need to attend actual classroom courses).

To get the most from this book, set aside the time needed for each lesson, don't rush them as you could miss a vital step or even a useful side note (I learned from this mistake) and keep it to one lesson per day to maximize retention.

Highly recommended for those getting started out in Final Cut Studio 2 and want to get working on projects quickly.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Thorough on some topics, misses on details, November 16, 2007

By 

Robert Pigford "RB, writer" (Martinsville, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Apple Pro Training Series: Motion Graphics and Effects in Final Cut Studio 2 (Paperback)

I'm a fan of Mark Spencer's on-line tutorials on Final Cut Studio and Motion, and therefore bought this book to see what deeper insights could be gained from the 500+ pages of in-depth tutorial.

The good: It's very readable, and does a nice job offering tips and alternatives when applicable.

The not-so-good: Following the step-by-step instructions requires attention that tends to cause the larger scope lesson to be lost. And don't miss a step or you'll find the results don't match the book at all.

The still-not-so-good: In several instances, options are mentioned but never discussed. E.g. on page 56, some parameters are pointed out but no further explanation is given...

I do like the repeated emphasis on keyboard shortcuts, which are expansive in FCPro, and often dependent upon the active item.

All in all, for the beginner/intermediate, a worthwhile investment IF you're willing to spend the hours of time to do the lessons in totem.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This really worked for me, March 6, 2009

By 

B. Naseath - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Apple Pro Training Series: Motion Graphics and Effects in Final Cut Studio 2 (Paperback)

I highly recommend this series. It was very detailed and helped me learn how to effectively use Final Cut Pro. I enjoyed it too.