Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro X [Paperback]

Diana Weynand (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 8, 2011 | ISBN-10: 0321774671 | ISBN-13: 978-0321774675 | Edition: 1

Completely revised for Final Cut Pro X and featuring compelling new footage, this best-selling, Apple-certified guide provides a strong foundation in all aspects of video editing. Renowned author Diana Weynand starts with basic video editing techniques and takes readers all the way through Final Cut Pro's powerful features.

 

Each chapter presents a complete lesson in an aspect of video editing and finishing, using professional broadcast footage. The book covers Final Cut Pro's exciting new features, including a completely redesigned interface, people detection, and Magnetic Timeline.

 

·        DVD-ROM includes lesson and media files for over 40 hours of training

·        Focused lessons take you step-by-step through professional, real-world projects

·        Accessible writing style puts an expert instructor at your side

·        Ample illustrations and keyboard shortcuts help you master techniques fast

·        Lesson goals and time estimates help you plan your time

·        Chapter review questions summarize what you’ve learned and prepare you for the Apple Certified Pro Exam  

Apple recently released Final Cut Pro X 10.0.6. Book updates relating to this new point release can be found here:
http://www.peachpit.com/store/apple-pro-training-series-final-cut-pro-x-9780321774675#updates

Note from the publisher:

A small number of customers have reported issues working with the lesson files associated with this book. After extensive testing, we can confirm the lesson files do work properly. If you have purchased a digital version of the book and are downloading the files, please keep in mind the size of the high-quality videos is quite large and may take considerable time to download. We do not recommend downloading the files over a wireless network and have posted suggestions for successfully downloading the files on the download site.

If you encounter any problems with the lesson files, please contact our customer service team at [e-mail], and we will work with you to identify and resolve your issue promptly.

   

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Diana Weynand is an award-winning producer, director, editor, and co-founder of Weynand Training International (www.weynand.com), an Apple Authorized Training Center and a leader in training and curriculum development for emerging technologies. Diana was supervising editor for the Barbara Walters Special, director and co-producer of the Emmy nominated PBS series Cinematic Eye, and online editor for RealWorld. She is the author of five best-selling books on Final CutPro (including Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro for Avid Editors and Final Cut Express HD), and the co-author of Secrets of Videoblogging and How Video Works.

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Peachpit Press; 1 edition (October 8, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321774671
• ISBN-13: 978-0321774675
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,139 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #43 in Books > Computers & Technology > Digital Media Management > Video Production

More About the Author

Diana Weynand is an award-winning producer, director, editor, and co-founder of Weynand Training International (www.weynand.com), an Apple Authorized Training Center and a leader in training and curriculum development for emerging technologies. Diana was supervising editor for The Barbara Walters Special, director and co-producer of the Emmy nominated PBS series, Cinematic Eye, and online editor for Real World. She is the author of four best-selling books on Final Cut Pro (including Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro for Avid Editors and Final Cut Express HD), and the co-author of Secrets of Videoblogging and How Video Works. A well-known columnist, she also writes on High Definition production.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Works, But Takes Longer than Advertised July 23, 2012

By Mathasula

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As someone who used the "old" Final Cut Pro for almost 9 years, I had reservations about even putting in the effort to learn Final Cut Pro X. Especially after all the negative reviews. But I figured I should at least give it a try. So I got this book. The lessons work. Although some things are similar to the "old" FCP, you really do need a book like this to figure out how the new FCP works. It is radically different. But the book is clear and explains things well. I only found myself saying, "Huh???" about 5 or 6 times during the whole book, and in every case it was because I read something wrong and it was quickly cleared up.

My only complaint is the estimate of how long the lessons will take, which is listed at the beginning of each chapter. I think those estimates are wildly unrealistic. I mean, we're talking 35-40 page chapters where you have to read closely and then do things as they're described. And it will say the lesson will take "about 70 minutes." NO WAY!! I mean, sure, if you're just going as fast as you possibly go and skipping paragraphs here and there, 70 minutes might be possible. Even a bit less. But none of it will sink in. I would say to allot at least twice the amount of time they estimate. In my case, because I make notes for future reference and make sure I understand what's happening as I go along, it's probably closer to 3 times the estimate.

But you WILL learn it. As far as FCP-X itself, the jury is still out. It does indeed have some cool, unique features, and I can see that once you got proficient with it, it's very fast. I'm going to give it a year, then decide whether I want to stick with it or go to something like Premiere or Avid.

BTW, for the record, I've been editing video since the late 70s & 3/4-inch Umatic tape. Started doing non-linear in 1997. So I'm no novice at this. I'm considered very technically sharp and pick things up fast. So when I say the estimate on the time the lessons will take is unrealistic, I think most who got the book would agree.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Here's how to fix the problem with the media files January 5, 2012

By Mr. A. W. Fisher

Format:Kindle Edition

Some people - me included - downloaded the Final Cut Pro X work files from the Peachpit website but get the following error when trying to use them: "The document "CurrentVersion.fcpproject" could not be opened. The file isn't in the correct format." or "The file might be corrupted, truncated, or in an unexpected format."

This is because the file is so large - over 5Gb - that your browser isn't actually downloading all of it; it's giving up ("timing out") part way through.

Fortunately, it's very simple to fix - in fact, there are instructions printed on the very page file from - they're just not obvious. Rather than clicking the single "APTS FCP X.sparseimage" file link, you should actually click the "Download all" link in the top left of the page, under the Peachpit logo. This forces your browser to use Peachpit's downloader, and the whole file will be downloaded - and it will then work. I've been able to successfully use the files, and found the book very useful in learning how to use the application.

As with other Apple Pro Training titles I've used, the training is well structured and nicely paced. It doesn't go into detail in some areas I was hoping for, but I see there's an "Advanced Editing" book coming out in Feb 2012. I'm hoping that this means they'll be able to do the topics covered in that book justice, since they haven't crammed them in to this one.

Overall I'm very happy with this book (once I opened my eyes and actually read the instructions!) - and hopefully this review will help other people who had the same problem!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great learning structure February 15, 2012

By Merge Production

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm a professional editor and finally decided to make the transition from FCP 7 to X. I've used peachpit's books to learn all the professional apps I use and have always been happy with the way they structure their lessons and allow you opportunities to practice. As well as introducing different key functionalities throughout. This is the first set of ebooks I've purchased. I'm reading the material on my iPad which makes it easier and downloaded all lesson files as instructed. Very happy with this book and the new process.

As for other reviewers' complaints about not finding the download links, I'm not sure if something has been upgraded since the previous reviews. But for me it was very straight forward and the ebook provided me with a specific link to download the files.

Update: After 2 months of studying with this book, making my own notes, and working on FCP X for my last few corporate projects, I've come to the conclusion that most if not all FCP X haters haven't taken the time to really learn this product. Yes at first glance it looks like iMovie pro. But thanks to peachpit's training methods, I now am able to do so many things faster than I used to with FCP 7. Now onto advanced training.