Final Cut Pro 3 and the Art of Filmmaking [Paperback]

David Teague Jason Cranford; Teague (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0782140270 | ISBN-13: 978-0782140279 | Publication Date: March 18, 2002

Despite its intuitive interface, Final Cut Pro still requires craft and skill to use well.

This full-color book provides a hands-on, practical guide to all aspects of editing digital movies, with an emphasis on the kinds of tips, tricks, and shortcuts that professionals rely on to quickly get polished results.

Whether you're approaching Final Cut Pro from a purely creative angle or from a more corporate perspective, whether you're an emerging filmmaker or a seasoned vet, Final Cut Pro 3 and the Art of Filmmaking gives you the insights, information, and lessons you'll need to complete tasks that film editors face every day, including:
* Mastering Final Cut Pro 3's new features, such as Voice Over, G4 Real-Time Effects, Titling, QuickView, and more
* Editing clips in the Timeline
* Creating transitions and complex overlays
* Adding effects, applying filters, and working with text
* Using the audio tools to make your film sound as good as it looks
* Readying your finished product for delivery--on the Internet, on videotape, or on DVD
In the course of this book, you'll learn shooting tips designed to help later in the edit room. You'll also hear from experienced editors on how they're using Final Cut Pro to capture the immediacy that digital video makes possible, while meeting the twin challenges of limited time and money.

Note: Our thanks to Ken Stone for his Final Cut Pro expertise. Ken has an excellent online resource center that we encourage you to visit: www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/fcp_homepage_index.html

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Since the cost of entry into the world of filmmaking has plummeted with the introduction of such technologies as the DV camera, Apple's FireWire protocol, and the ever-increasing speed of desktop computers, there are more people than ever creating high-quality independent films. Final Cut Pro 3 and the Art of Filmmaking teaches these new filmmakers the necessary, basic skills for polishing their elementary work.

The authors begin their approach with an introduction to the necessary hardware and software, installing Final Cut Pro, and a tour of the interface. They focus on editing and adding transitions, then take a look at adding titles and filters. You'll learn about compositing, keying, and using Final Cut Pro's motion controls, as well as fine-tuning audio tracks. The last part of their book discusses what to do with your film after the editing is done: compressing for DVDs and the Web, archiving the project, and printing to video.

It's worth noting that this book does not come with a CD-ROM. The authors have included instead a DVD full of project files, raw footage, and a short but complete documentary. This offers an editor the excellent opportunity to look over the shoulder of a working professional, discovering how and why something is cut the way it is. The DVD also contains the project files and source clips needed for most of the chapters throughout the book, giving the reader a chance to work along with each chapter using the very same footage.

Final Cut Pro 3 and the Art of Filmmaking offers a sound introduction to editing in general and using Final Cut Pro in particular. Each chapter is well illustrated and written, and almost every feature of Final Cut Pro is explained. While this book lacks the depth sought by more advanced users, it presents a friendly and informative approach for the new one. Through a tutorial-based approach and supplied material, the features of this powerful editing tool become accessible and familiar, making this book a worthy asset to any beginning Final Cut Pro editor. --Mike Caputo

Review

"Compared to most of the other FCP reference books ... it is the best-looking, best-illustrated and offers very detailed info. -- Roger Richards, digitalfilmmaker.com

"Worth twice the price!!!" -- Terry Osterhout

"You will feel like you got your money's worth learning through this book." -- Jake Ludington, Lockergnome.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Sybex (March 18, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0782140270
• ISBN-13: 978-0782140279
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,828,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jason Cranford Teague is a designer, writer and teacher who helps people creatively apply technology. He has over 15 years of experience in the online world and written numerous books, including Speaking in Styles: The Fundamentals of CSS for Web Designers and Fluid Web Typography. He has recently worked with the W3C CSS Workgroup--advising them on design issues with typography. Learn more about Jason from his blog, speaking-in-styles.com or follow him on twitter @jasonspeaking.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book for New Final Cut 3 Users, July 15, 2002

By 

Paul Sedillo (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Final Cut Pro 3 and the Art of Filmmaking (Paperback)

As a "rank beginner" I was very impressed with the author's ability to convey the information. He covered Final Cut Pro 3 in a wonderful step by step process. Along the way he made sure that each process was clearly stated. Since I have no prior knowledge of working with Final Cut Pro 3, I appreciated the approach that was taken.

If you are in the market for a FCP3 book, give this one STRONG consideration.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jed Davis, Girls' Basketball Coach, AD, film director, May 20, 2002

By 

Jed Davis - See all my reviews

This review is from: Final Cut Pro 3 and the Art of Filmmaking (Paperback)

Most manuals and how-to books are boring and do not live up to their titles. This book is an exception. It is written with care and a love for the art of film making. It is so thorough yet so understandable. And the layout is incredible.

Read this book, use it as a reference for help. Regardless of your level of proficiency in Final Cut Pro, beginner or professional, you cannot come away without benefit.
The authors assume you know nothing and take even the most basic technical terms and with the use of side bars, explain in plain English what they mean.

An outstanding job from authors who live and love their Craft. They will help you become a more proficient user of Final Cut Pro. I recommend this book without reservation.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High Price but HIGH VALUE!!, June 15, 2002

By 

John D. Mandes (Hershey, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Final Cut Pro 3 and the Art of Filmmaking (Paperback)

The authors do a bang up job of covering Final Cut Pro. The content of this book is only surpassed by the excellent execution of its design. Content is well-written, clear and easily understandable. As if this weren't enough, the authors outdo themselves by using a design concept for their FCP3 topics that make already clear explanations, crystal clear. It's obvious that much of the book's high price is due to the high quality screen shots and illustrations all of which are in color. Color makes all the difference, especially when talking about FCP3 where color in the application itself conveys information to the user. The screen shots chosen by the authors to illustrate their explanations make this book a perfect choice for beginners or intermediate users. An excellent book, an excellent buy.