Final Cut Express for Mac OS X (Visual QuickStart Guide) [Paperback]

Lisa Brenneis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 032119912X | ISBN-13: 978-0321199126 | Publication Date: April 10, 2003

Final Cut Express for Mac OS X: Visual QuickStart Guide by best-selling author Lisa Brenneis is the first book on the market to cover Final Cut Express ($299), Apple's new consumer digital video editing application. The powerful Mac-only application is virtually identical to Final Cut Pro¿acking only a selection of key high-end features. Apple is targeting small business users, educators, students, and advanced hobbyists who want to move beyond the limited video editing capabilities of iMovie, but who don't need all of Final Cut Pro's high-end features. With Final Cut Express, users get a full-featured DV editing package with professional-level editing, compositing, and real-time effects at a price they can afford.

Available in March, Final Cut Express for Mac OS X: Visual QuickStart Guide introduces video enthusiasts to the comprehensive set of tools available in Final Cut Express. The Visual QuickStart series' step-by-step instructions lead readers through the basics and quickly into more advanced video editing projects. Brenneis uses concise language and tons of screenshots to show readers how to edit video, work with hundreds of effects and transitions, and master the program¿ compositing, titling, and audio tools as well as how to output their finished work, whether it's to DVD or the Web. Brenneis and author Jeff Carlson have also created a booklet with Final Cut Express tips, available for free download at www.peachpit.com.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Final Cut Express for Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide by best-selling author and digital video expert Lisa Brenneis is the first book on the market to cover Final Cut Express ($299), Apple's powerful new digital video editing application. Whether you use the book as a start-to-finish guide or a handy reference, you'll find the book's simple step-by-step tasks the easiest way to get up and running with Final Cut Express's comprehensive set of professional-level video editing tools. Brenneis relies on concise language and tons of screenshots to show you how to edit video, work with hundreds of effects and transitions, and master the program's compositing, titling, and audio tools as well as output your finished work, whether it's to DVD or the Web. If you're looking for the fastest way to get up to speed on Final Cut Express-you've found it.

About the Author

Lisa Brenneis has served as a teacher, author, panelist, virtual theater performer, and film production manager. Her production credits range from interactive digital media to educational films, animation to live action, and from documentary to poetic fantasy. Her clients have included Disney, MCA/Universal, the Getty Museum, the Library of Congress, the International Olympic Committee, Mattel, and the Ojai Pixie Growers Association.

Product Details

• Paperback: 561 pages
• Publisher: Peachpit Press (April 10, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 032119912X
• ISBN-13: 978-0321199126
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,677,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Skip it, I wish I had, May 3, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Final Cut Express for Mac OS X (Visual QuickStart Guide) (Paperback)

I found this book to be VERY frustrating for a beginner to the program. Not only was it poorly organized, it mentioned several error messages that may be encountered then it didn't even present a resolution to the problem. If you're looking for a book to guide you in using FCE in a step by step fashion, this is one book to avoid.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good guide for Final Cut Express, May 20, 2003

By 

Andrew D. Fraser "the_fraser" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Final Cut Express for Mac OS X (Visual QuickStart Guide) (Paperback)

The introduction states that it's not a book for beginners. The author spends a good amount of pages explaining the behind-the-scenes mechanics of the program and efficient ways to manage your projects. It give you guidance on how Final Cut Express deals with files, how it structures projects, and what you can expect out of your system.

There are clear instructions about doing voice-overs, importing files and music, and all the different tools in Final Cut Express.

My one gripe is that there isn't a glossary of terms that explains when you might want to use a "slip edit", a "roll edit", or the others. I had to figure it all out by trial and error. I suspect that the terms used are common to editors and anyone who's been to film school, but I don't fall into either category.

Thankfully, it's not a book for rank beginners as it covers the software in enough depth such that I'm sure I'll refer to it for many film projects to come.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Visual Quickstart Guide, September 5, 2003

By 

Steve-o "stephen991" (deetroit) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Final Cut Express for Mac OS X (Visual QuickStart Guide) (Paperback)

I have used several books (Adobe Premiere 5 & 6 and Adobe Photoshop 7) from this publisher and I came to the conclusion that these are not instruction or how-to books. They work best for reference. Their structure is not first step, next, next then final step; more like here is how to do ___. Here is how to do ___.