The Focal Easy Guide to Final Cut Pro 6 (Paperback)

by Rick Young (Author)
Key Phrases: scrubber bar, custom layout, master templates, Final Cut Pro, Stereo Pairs, Linked Selection (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"This book will help you learn how to use Final Cut Pro 5 quickly and confidently." - Stills Audio Motion

"In such a relatively short book as compared to the 800 page tomes I usually find, there is not much that Rick Young does not cover in order to get the new user up and running as soon and as painlessly as possible...what really sets this book apart is how Rick Young's step-by-step directions and graphics are so very easy to follow." Steve Douglas, videographer, kenstone.net

"The book lives up to its name: it is easy to follow, well illustrated with screen grabs, and will give you a decent grounding in the software to get you doing simple edits." - Zerb

"This handy guide is small enough to fit in your bag for on the go reference, but thick enough to provide you with the skills needed to master Final Cut Pro." - Black Filmmaker

"In such a relatively short book as compared to the 800 page tomes I usually find, there is not much that Rick Young does not cover in order to get the new user up and running as soon and as painlessly as possible." Steve Douglas, kenstone.net
"Short, clear and to the point... It will get you up and running on FCP in short order."
Ken Stone (www.kenstone.net), Los Angeles FCP user group
"Whether you are a newcomer to Final Cut Pro...or an experienced Final Cut Pro editor, this little book will benefit you hugely. For the newcomer it is so easy to follow and understand and for the professional it will act as a quick refresher course while bringing you up to speed on Final Cut Pro's new features."
Monroevideo.co.uk

"I just was not going to buy any books on Final Cut Pro. I mean, anyone of us who has ever set foot in this section of the bookstore knows how overwhelming and technical editing software manuals can be. But the fun, unique, cover of this book compelled me to open it...You can pick up this book in the middle of the day or the middle of the night when you feel like you want to throw your Mac and its friend, Final Cut Pro, right out the window. In it, you'll discover those little light bulb moments that mean the completion of a successful and fulfilling project."
- An Amazon reader

Book Description
A fresh alternative to software bibles.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press (November 12, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240810090
• ISBN-13: 978-0240810096
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #162,172 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #7 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Digital Photography & Video > Video Production
  #13 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Apple > Graphics, Animation & Illustration
  #14 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Apple > Final Cut

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great illustrations - to the point descriptions!, June 22, 2008

By	Leica Hound "WD" (Michigan USA) - See all my reviews

If you need to get up to speed on Final Cut and new features --- this guide gives you concise information and visual backup to explain a complicated edit process minus having to wade through a typical 600-800 page manual (use the official manuals as a reference when you have time!) --- plus the size makes it portable enough to take with your laptop on the job. This is my 4th Rick Young manual --- his choices and descriptions have never disappointed me - I have referred many novice editors to his books. The feedback has been positive.

What the larger Apple manuals are great at --- is providing practice material and step by step instruction --- sometimes it's best to start from page 1 --- especially as a newbie to editing. However --- Rick Young's series of condensed guides --- serves as a tremendous handy abridgment with the MOST important details needed for most conditions when you don't have time to drag out the BIG books. His manuals are written from an editor's perspective with brevity in mind. Think of it as a "greatest hits" version of editing information. You won't be disappointed.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for Final Cut Pro 6 Users, February 19, 2008

By	Miriam L. Moran "video gal" (Omaha NE USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm a video editor with 3 years of experience in Final Cut Pro. When I spotted this slim volume at my bookstore, I was intrigued and picked it up to look through - then I bought it on the spot and went home and read it. The explanations are very clear and well illustrated. The tips I picked up have already saved me a good bit of time and frustration during my editing. I wish I had found this book earlier!

This book also does a great job of going over what you need to get started in Final Cut Pro - installation, settings, etc. While this book is not a "load this clip from the CD and now push this button" type book, the examples are very clear, and can be done with any video clip on your computer.

There is definitely material here for even experienced Final Cut Pro users - for example, I'd never really understood some of the rendering and format options (AIC, ProRes 422, etc) and this explains them, and shows how to use them to your advantage. Heck, the explanation on page 24 of how to put custom buttons on your toolbars, or the one on page 85 on how to use the select track tool, have probably saved me 5 or 10 minutes an hour since I learned to use them.

Hope you enjoy this book as much as I have!

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on how to use great software!, February 3, 2009

By	C. Higgins "CEO, Polymath Consulting" (Point Reyes, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a pro who's made quite a bit of money and some really polished projects with everything from Avid Media Composer to Media 100 to Final Cut Pro, I can personally attest to the value of this book. Having had a lot of experience with FCP, I've *still* gained valuable skills and insights in reading this book.

A previous 'review' from a 'Mr. Minter', who absurdly complains that he has to use a Mac, which he 'hates', in order to access this 'overrated' software, proving that he's in fact *underrating* Final Cut Pro is sadly typical of ignorant users who complain of imaginary obstructions to educating themselves. The fact that Final Cut Pro runs on a Mac is no accident, as the hardware extends the software's reach in unique fashion. This is just one aspect of Final Cut Pro that this book does a very nice job of distilling, in the service of engaging the reader, ALL the processes one needs to master in order to actually build an effective and compelling visual narrative. The author presents these processes in a logical, 'stepped' method, making the most of graphics and clearly and engagingly written descriptions of each process, and how each process interlocks with the next. You can get up and running fast, and learn to teach yourself through doing, using this book as a reference and a comprehensive resource. What more can you ask, short of a personal instructor visiting your studio?