Basic, green-as-grass, newbie question.

What's the best way to learn to use Final Cut Express? Book, class, DVD? Which ones?

Here's where I am. I have a PD-150, and probably will be buying an HDV camera (to go with the Sony HDR-HC3 I have now). My plan is to build a web site with video. I've worked in front of the camera in TV for 20 years, and have 40 years of still photography background.

I have a Mac Book Pro, which means I have iMovie, and I also bought Final Cut Express. Have not used it. As I begin the process jumping off the end of the dock into the deep end, I need to adopt an editing system.

I'm willing to buy a full-bore Mac editing system. But . . . the videos will be pretty simple stuff. Instructional, for the most part. One continuous take with one camera. Then, go back and shoot the closeups (cutaways) for cover video. The audio we get with the first take (instructional) will run from beginning to end.

Any help or direction is appreciated. If this has been covered many times, I apologize and will follow pointers to the appropriate threads.

Many thanks.

Tom Gresham

I've found Final Cut Express HD 3.5 Editing Workshop (http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/bookdescription.cws_home/711073/description) to be a useful book+DVD learning tool.

Andrew.

If you have become comfortable with iMovie you will FCE a bit of a steep learning curve. However, once you learn where the commands are, FCE gets very easy very fast. FCE is limited to DV video format, but is looks almost exactly like Final Cut Pro and acts like it as well. FCP can manage just about any video format currently in use ... and the list is long, long, long!

A good text book is always a benefit, as reading FCE's manual is like trudging though a bog. Another great resource for me has been http://www.Lynda.com. Great online lectures with screenshots on just about any important production software. Reasonably priced, too. Just be sure and warn your significant other so when your CC bill arrives you don't get the "Who's Lynda???? question.

Waldemar, what do you mean by FCE being limited to DV video format?

It will capture HDV to AIC for editing and your HD projects are limited to 1080i50, 1080i60 and 720p30. You are limited to digital video in the sense that it won't do 24p or 1080p+ HD formats, if that's what you mean...

Andrew.

Another Vote for Lynda, Im a Video Editor, Photog, Web Designer, and Network Admin. So I'm always needing to learn new software quickly and cheaply and if your a visual learning person it is the best thing since sliced bread for the money.

Tom,

I would choose books as you can go at your own pace. Next time your here in Brainerd add an extra day to your trip and I'm sure someone in the office would have to the time to sit with you and answer questions or just show you a few things.

Jeremy