Apple Pro Training Series: The Craft of Editing with Final Cut Pro (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Superbly fitted to a semester-length course, this is the ideal curriculum for a hands-on exploration of advanced editing with Final Cut Pro 6. In this Apple-authorized training book, director and filmmaker Michael Wohl delivers comprehensive training in the real-world skills editing pros use every day in the field. Each chapter presents a complete lesson in some aspect of video editing or finishing in Final Cut Pro 6, with hands-on projects for readers to complete as they go. He shares must-know professional techniques for cutting dialogue scenes, action scenes, fight and chase scenes, documentaries, comedy, music videos, multi-camera projects, and more. Two DVDs of excellent, professional footage and project files give you the chance to work with every genre as you learn.

About the Author

Michael Wohl is best known as one of the principal designers of Final Cut Pro, a role he held for more than five years. He has also had success as a director and editor for more than 15 years. Michael is also the author of Apple Pro Training Series: Advanced Editing Techniques in Final Cut Pro 5 (December 2005) and Advanced Editing Techniques with Final Cut Pro (September 2003).

Product Details

• Paperback: 424 pages
• Publisher: Peachpit Press; 1 Pap/Dvdr edition (August 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 032152036X
• ISBN-13: 978-0321520364
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #52,893 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a practical book on the craft of editing, October 30, 2008

By	Winfried (Netherlands) - See all my reviews

Most other books stop after explaining which buttons to press. This book is intended for people who already know that but want to know how to assemble a scene from the raw footage in a logical way.

There are different chapters for dialogue, action scenes, comedies, documentaries and music videos.

Finally also two chapters on audio, but I haven't read those yet.

Although this book is part of the Apple Pro Training Series and there are many references to Final Cut pro short cut keys, this book can in my opinion also be used with other editing programs.

Highly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Expensive but Worth it..., March 16, 2009

By	C. Drews (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

On the surface, this seems like just another editing book. When I saw it at Barnes, I was struck with the table of contents. It's chapter headings are on technique. Better still, real world example where technique is put into action. Coming from an editing background (5+ years Avid & FCP) I was captivated by the prospect of reinforcing what I've acquired over the years - those intangible decisions an editor must make. And validated I was!

My method for the book was a bit unorthodox. I'd pull in the source (which by the way, you MUST load it in off the DVD before you start editing- its all encoded in DV NTSC resolution and my MBP wasn't fast enough to play off the disc) and cut my own edit, without anything.

Then I'd go through the book's lessons. It was gratifying because 90% of the time I selected the performances and audio bits the author did. Again, this was my primary point - reinforcing technique.

So, the bits I also found useful were the shortcut implementation (as the other reviewer said). There are many ways to skin a cat and it was interesting to follow along and see another viewpoint. I've added some of these tricks to my arsenal - my favorite was "Extend Edit" which I use regularly now (how did I miss this in the FCP manual???)

Overall, this book goes along well with Walter Murch's "In the blink of an eye" although Murch's has one up, because some of the technique are verbose. I didn't agree with the author's aversion to screen direction problems (often called breaking the 180 line). I have no qualms about including these types of cuts in my personal and professional work, the author thinks differently but then I go back to Murch's advice, screen direction being lower on the list as emotion, and things validate themselves.

That said, I don't see another book like this. It's a book that I'm glad someone wrote because honestly, who cares about pressing buttons, it's why we press them that's important. So, "The Craft of Editing" is on my shelf next to "Cinematic Storytelling" by Jennifer van Sijll - another contemporary book that breaks down the forethought of editing.

5.0 out of 5 stars Best FCP training, September 19, 2009

By	Db Associates, Inc. - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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To me, this is the best FCP training book so far. It doesn't only teach you How to do it, it also teaches you Why you are doing it this way. Way to go!