FCP Tutorials
 

I am new to FCP. Our TV show's editor recently provided me with Mac Book Pro with FCP 5.1.4 installed. My target is to assist with rough editing .

I am looking for advice on the best location for materials and tutorials for a basic entry level work as well as some more advanced editing.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Darin


PS - I also hear that the FCP shortcut key covers are a good idea. What do you think ??

I had keycaps on the very first edit bay I used (an AVID Media Composer worth $60k+ ten years ago) and I LOVED them. Never had key covers for FCP and never felt I needed them. Ask yourself: how good are you at remembering keystrokes. I prefer NOT to have them on my FCP machine as I type a LOT of text as well and found they got in the way when using other peoples FCP machines with them (I type 40+ wpm BUT need to look at the keys - I know where they all are but still can't touch type).

Good point - I think I'll be able to get it once I use the keys a bit - I also need to look at the keys. Just trying to find the best way to learn it. I feel like if I learn the "right" way - then it will be better in the long run.

Lynda.com, Larry Jordan tutorial is almost all you need, but it costs $25/mo. It saved my pigu!

Agree. Larry Jordan's tutorials are good, very simple (but not over-simplified).

Darin,

I have learned a lot from the tutorial books from peachpitpress.com. They have a large selection of self-paced tutorial books, and are priced reasonably. I also like Ken Stone's final cut pro page.

Good luck and enjoy learning FCP.

Darin: the keys I use all the time are:
a: arrow/select tool
t: toggles track selection tool (current track from/to here, all tracks to/from here etc)
i: set in point
o: set out point
j,k,l: shuttle controls (back, stop/play, forward)
n: toggle snapping
b: blade (used A LOT with snapping toggled on or off)
cmd-c: copy
cmd-v: paste
cmd-x: cut
space: play
F10: over-right edit
delete close to the "end" key: contextual ripple delete


OH, and the MOST IMPORTANT:
cmd-z :UNDO!!!
Everything else is up to YOUR workflow.

Oh, and:
cmd-L: link/unlink video from audio

cmd-8 opens Log and Capture window

haha shaun, you nailed my keystroke list to a T...darin, quickly memorize those keys, they'll save your life, also....

check out the Ripple Training website, they have a bunch of free tuts, I had an FCP tutorial DVD from them when I first got started and it really broke everything down well and clarified everything for me, and had a really good multicam editing section as well:
Ripple Training

and as Matthew said, Ken Stone has a bunch of great free resources:
Ken Stone's Final Cut Pro

there's plenty great free resources, but definitely worth it to invest in a training dvd or book...once you have the basics, you will find that any questions you may have can and will be answered here at dvinfo

Thanks a BUNCH for the keys guys ! I did check out Ripple - very good stuff ! I found a DVD tutorial on FCP 5 at Ripple in the "Blowout" bin for $20.00 - it's on the way. As far as lock/unlock audio/video - I need that now - working on my first rough edit. Captured some clips from my A1 yesterday , they went in without a hitch.

Thanks Again !

Larry Jordan fan club
 

I have to say that Larry J has a great set of tuts. Join the newsletter and get somegood stuff there. A ton of options and you won't fall asleep.

Ken Stone is another great newsletter. Steve Douglas has put up a bunch of good ones. I also like the Studio Mag newsletter and when it was in print they had some great articles.

Apple has some great free seminars online as well, we found this useful, even if you don't have to work under the gun: Apple - Seminars Online - News and Sports Editing — Infinite Possibilities with Final Cut Pro

/Battle Vaughan/miamiherald.com video team

Battle, that is an awesome tutorial, I had not seen any of those yet on apple's site...picked up some cool tips there and re-evaluated some of my editing techniques as well. Although it's geared more for news/sports stuff, I think it can apply to most if not all types of editing..awesome