I'm just entering the video editing world, although I've done considerable film editing (semi-pro not pro!).

I am debating between starting with iMovie, Final Cut Express 2, and Final Cut Pro 5. I know the gradation in difficulty levels but want some advice re whether it's better to start with an easy program and then to later learn a more difficult one, or jumping right in and slowly learning the top end program.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

CP

If you have any experience with NLE programs, then I wouldn't suggest that you don't bother with imovie. It will just frustrate you, and you won't learn anything about how FCP works.

I have no experience with FCE, so I don't know how suited it is as a trainer for FCP, but I think it is good. If you are just starting, you won't need all of the functionality of the full FCP program.

imovie is like a really good Casablanca (if that means anything to you), it is very user-friendly but not very flexible. If you plan on doing anything other than assemble video footage together, then imovie won't even be fun for you.

I hope that this helps,

Criag,

I started with FCE just a few months ago and worked through the Apple Pro training manual. Recently I fell into some good fortune and was able to upgrade from FCE2 to FCP 5. I feel that Express was an excellent training program and nothing comes to mind that is a completely different method from FCE. There's quite a bit more with FCP but learning the interface and using the main parts of the program are all the same on Express.

I hope that this helps you in making your decision.