Beginner's Final Cut Pro

A Final Cut Pro tutorial for digital video beginners - written in an accessible style. Michael Rubin demystifies the process of using the software by giving readers his hard-won secrets for capable digital video editing.

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With Final Cut Pro fast becoming the de facto standard for professional video editing, it's easy to believe the software is too "high-end" for beginners. But this isn't the case--Final Cut Pro is the ideal tool for novices and students, if you have the right teacher. Enter Beginners Final Cut Pro: Learn to Edit Digital Video. Now, with no prior video knowledge, you can learn the language of editing in just a few hours and master the essential tools to edit like a professional. Whether you're an aspiring professional filmmaker or a weekend hobbyist looking to improve on your iMovie projects, the tutorials and information in this book will help you make the leap to sophisticated, "Hollywood"-style editing.

Written in an approachable, friendly style by best-selling author and entertainment-industry veteran Michael Rubin, this real-world tutorial demystifies the process of using Final Cut Pro. Starting with the basics, like mastering control of frame-by-frame movement of video, the book methodically adds tools and builds complexity. The final chapter helps you make the transition from mastering the tools of Final Cut Pro to facing many of the real-world scenarios that beginners encounter as they use FCP with low/no-budget productions. Throughout the book, Michael shares invaluable tips based on his hard-won digital video experiences using Final Cut Pro and in the trenches of Hollywood and (the more frightening) family projects. When you're finished with the book, you'll be able to build effects tracks or add music and prepare your project for output to DVD. Final Cut Pro for Beginners includes a companion DVD with more than 4GB of video clips you can use for illustration, hands-on exercises, and or your own experiments.

With Final Cut Pro software and this tutorial to lead the way, you'll be fluent in no time--ready to go wherever your movie-making interests lead.