Getting Started

Welcome to the official Level Two Apple Pro Training course for Final Cut Pro X.

This book is an in-depth journey into the advanced editing techniques and effects of Final Cut Pro X. It uses diverse footage ranging from the feature film SuperGirl Rocks to the music video One Night in Jordan (based on a live concert performance by internationally renowned artist Zade Dirani). It also explores creating promotional spots and show bumpers to demonstrate application features and practical techniques you’ll use daily in your editing projects.

Whether you’ve been editing for years or are just beginning to work in film and video, this book will enhance your knowledge of Final Cut Pro X while it enhances your editing skills. So let’s get started!

The Methodology

This book takes a hands-on approach to using the software. It’s divided into projects—based on footage on the accompanying DVD—that teach you advanced techniques as you work through the lessons. Every exercise is designed to get you editing and creating effects professionally in Final Cut Pro as quickly as possible.

Each lesson builds on previous lessons to guide you through the application’s functions and capabilities. However, if you’re already familiar with Final Cut Pro, you can go directly to a specific section and focus on that topic because every lesson is self-contained.

Course Structure

This book is designed to improve your skills both as an editor and as a Final Cut Pro user. You’ll begin by learning editing techniques designed to streamline your workflow and allow you to effectively perform complex editing tasks. Then you’ll focus on sound editing and multicamera footage. Next, you’ll explore the world of effects, covering such diverse topics as compositing, filters, keyframing, compound clips, titling, and speed changes. Finally, you’ll finish your studies by learning a variety of techniques for color correcting clips, balancing scenes, and creating deliverables using Compressor.

The lessons are grouped into the following categories:

• Advanced Editing: Lessons 1–6

• Advanced Compositing and Effects: Lessons 7–9

• Finishing Techniques: Lessons 10–14

In addition to the exercises, some lessons include project tasks that provide an opportunity to practice what you’ve learned. Throughout the book, other valuable sections will guide you in evaluating your project before moving to the next editing stage.

Downloading Final Cut Pro X

Final Cut Pro X is available as a download from the Mac App Store. Because installation can begin immediately after purchase, you should read the Apple best practices (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4722) prior to installation to ensure the best performance of the application. The exercises in this book are based on Final Cut Pro version 10.0.3. If you have an earlier version of Final Cut Pro X, update your software or some exercises may not work as described.

Using the DVD Book Files

The Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro X Advanced Editing DVDs (included with the printed book) contains the project files and media you’ll use for each lesson. After you transfer the files to your hard drive, each lesson will instruct you in the use of the project and media files.

Installing the Final Cut Pro X Lesson Files

On the DVDs, you’ll find three files: APTS FCP X ADV Part 1.sparseimage, APTS FCP X ADV Part 2.sparseimage, and APTS FCP X ADV Part 3.sparseimage. These disk image files function like virtual disks. You will use their contents for the exercises in the book. Specific instructions in the lessons will explain which disk image to load.

1. Insert the Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro X Advanced Editing, Disc One DVD into your DVD drive.

Depending on which version of OS X you’re using and the Finder preferences, you may not see the DVD on your desktop. If you don’t see the DVD, take a quick look in a Finder window to see all the mounted volumes (such as hard disks or DVDs) that are available.

2. In the Dock, click the Finder icon.

3. In the Finder window, select the APTS FCP X ADV DVD listed in the left sidebar under Devices.

4. With the DVD selected, drag the three disk images from the DVD to your desktop to copy them.

Alternatively, you may drag the disk images to any locally connected storage device such as an external hard disk. Whichever destination you choose, Final Cut Pro must have access to the disk image files, and you must have read and write privileges. In addition, the storage device must have at least 23 GB of free space available.

5. After the disk image files are copied, eject the DVD.

6. Insert the second disc, Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro X Advanced Editing, Disc Two, into your DVD drive, and repeat steps 2 through 5.

Before you begin a section in this book, you must mount the corresponding disk image to give Final Cut Pro access to the necessary project and media files.

7. On your desktop (or the location you chose for the files), double-click an APTS FCP X ADV disk image file to mount the disk images.

A virtual disk labeled APTS FCP X ADV Part 1 (or Part 2 or Part 3) appears under Devices in the Finder window’s sidebar.

Each lesson will identify the disk image and the files to use for that lesson’s exercises. You should not alter the contents of the Final Cut Events or Final Cut Projects folders on a APTS FCP X ADV virtual disk.

Using Final Cut Pro on a Portable

Some of the desktop Mac keystrokes identified in this book differ from the keystrokes used with a MacBook Pro. Specifically, you’ll sometimes need to hold down the Function key (fn) when pressing the Left and Right Arrow keys to access the Home and End keys, respectively.

About the Footage

Footage from eight diverse projects is used throughout this book—ranging from a feature film and a documentary to a concert video and various broadcast promos. Together, they represent a real-world sampling of the types of projects and media formats you’ll likely encounter as a working video editor. Although the lesson exercises instruct you to edit the footage in a particular way, you can use any part of this footage to practice your own editing methods. Techniques you’ve learned using one set of clips in a lesson can be practiced using a different set of clips to create a new project.

System Requirements

Before using Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro X Advanced Editing, you should have a working knowledge of your Macintosh and its OS X operating system. Make sure that you know how to use the mouse; standard menus and commands; and how to open, save, and close files. If you need to review these techniques, see the printed or online documentation for your system.

To review the basic system requirements for Final Cut Pro X, refer to the technical specifications at www.apple.com/finalcutpro/specs/.

About the Apple Pro Training Series

Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro X Advanced Editing is both a self-paced learning tool and the official curriculum of the Apple Pro Training and Certification Program.

Developed by experts in the field and certified by Apple, the series is used by Apple Authorized Training Centers worldwide and offers complete training in all Apple Pro products. The lessons are designed to let you learn at your own pace. Each lesson concludes with review questions and answers summarizing what you learned, which can be used to help you prepare for the Apple Certification Exam.

For a complete list of Apple Pro Training Series books, see the page at the back of this book, or visit www.peachpit.com/apts.

Apple Pro Certification Program

The Apple Pro Training and Certification Programs are designed to keep you at the forefront of Apple digital media technology while giving you a competitive edge in today’s ever-changing job market. Whether you’re an editor, graphic designer, sound designer, special effects artist, student, or teacher, these training tools are meant to help you expand your skills.

Upon completing the course material in this book, you can earn Apple certification. Certification is offered in all pro applications, including Aperture, Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Logic Pro. Certification gives you official recognition of your knowledge of Apple professional applications while allowing you to market yourself to employers and clients as a skilled user of Apple products.

Apple offers three levels of certification: Apple Certified Associate, Apple Certified Pro—Level One, and Apple Certified Pro—Level Two. Certification exams do not require class attendance. Students who prefer to learn on their own or who already have the necessary skill set in the chosen application may take an exam for a fee.

Apple Certified Associate status validates entry-level skills in a specific application. Unlike an Apple Certified Pro exam, you can take Associate exams online from the comfort of your own home or office. Apple Certified Associate status is appropriate for students, for someone who is preparing for a first job out of school or a college-level program, or for anyone interested in validating entry-level credentials. Instructions on how to take the exam are included later in this book. For details on what the exam covers, please visit http://training.apple.com/certification/proapps.

An Apple Certified Pro is a user who has reached the highest skill level in the use and operation of Apple Pro Applications as attested to by Apple. Students earn certification by passing the online certification exam administered only at Apple Authorized Training Centers (AATCs). Apple Certified Pro status is appropriate for industry professionals.

For those who prefer to learn in an instructor-led setting, training courses are taught by Apple Certified Trainers at AATCs worldwide. The courses use the Apple Pro Training Series books as their curriculum and balance concepts and lectures with hands-on labs and exercises. AATCs are carefully selected to meet Apple’s highest standards in all areas, including facilities, instructors, course delivery, and infrastructure. The goal of the program is to offer Apple customers, from beginners to the most seasoned professionals, the highest-quality training experience.

For more information, please see the page at the back of this book, or to find an Authorized Training Center near you, visit training.apple.com.

Resources

Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro X Advanced Editing is not intended as a comprehensive reference manual, nor does it replace the documentation created for the application. For comprehensive information about program features, refer to these resources:

• Final Cut Pro Help—Accessed through the Final Cut Pro Help menu, the Reference Guide contains a complete description of all features. You can also access Help at http://help.apple.com/helplibrary/category/videoediting.

• For a list of other resources, please visit the Apple website at www.apple.com/finalcutpro/resources/.

• For details on the Apple Training and Certification programs, please visit http://training.apple.com.