Tips for Final Cut ProChris New & Eric Blesie

Use keyboard shortcutsLearn the keystrokes for the tasks you do over and over again

Reference a keyboard layout for editing

Program your own shortcuts for special tasks

Chris

J-K-L for scrubbingMy setup of multicam editing on the laptop

Edit TS files directly from DVD

No need to rip into some other format if you need it done quick (will loose audio)

Eric

Use drag-n-drop to add clips quickly w/ options

Pull the clip with the mouse from the viewer to the canvas for quick-access to editing options

Chris

Always use log & capture

Don’t use “Capture Now”

You can recapture later (if using tape)

Eric

Different exports for different jobs

Single project: use Compressor directly from FCP

Batch export: create reference files and process in Compressor, leave FCP open form more work

Chris

Don’t delete render files until you’re done w/ the reference file – it is tied to the original media; also don’t bother w/ a reference file if almost all the media is in a format different than the original

Use higher codecs for your timeline

ProRes 422

DVCPro50

Uncompressed

...feel free to disregard if there’s no discernible difference in quality & you’re concerned about drive space

Eric

Use different display setups for different tasks

Audio editing

Color correction

Multiple edits

Set up your own!

Chris

Link & unlink audio tracks for faster editing

Command-L

Separate mono tracks can be combined & edited as one

Split tracks if recorded as dual mono

Chris

Settings for my system are dual mono, often need to combine L + R

Use iPhoto, iMovie & Aperture for specific

quick workflowsSpecific uses

Easy to utilize

Free!!! (mostly)

Chris

Photo slideshows in iMovie ’08/’09

Questions?