Customer Reviews

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

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

 

 

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.

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.

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 ___.

Don't waste the money this book is all over the place. One would have to thumb constantly back and forth to find information, every example starts you from the beginning, material is extremely redundant. And to add insult to injury where it is redundant different verb-age is used making you question what you have read in previous chapters, thus making you go back and double check what you have already read. Book also wastes a lot of space in pictures instead of straight forward instruction, many pages are wasted only showing one step of example, space waster. Case in-point, go to index and look up Transition, creating, not there, author runs on about editors and doesn't focus on getting to work immediately. I can't believe someone has taken an Apple product, something that's meant to be easy and simple to use, and created such a confusing guide to it.

This book does explain terms like "slip edit" and "roll edit". Maybe not in a separate glossary, but right where they are used which to me is more useful. If that's the only gripe, you don't have a gripe

Usually Peach Pit Press is good for the money, however, this
series on FCP is NOT useful. It's so NOT useful, I would feel it incorrect to re-sell it. I see a trash fire in my future. : )

I ordered one of the top seller FCE books and needed to add to my order to get free shipping. I added this book and to my surprise it has met my needs much more than the best seller. It has lots more pages and reference materials.