FCP 101: Introduction to Final Cut Pro X

Note: Students seeking certification are advised to take Final Cut Pro X classes, the most recent FCP release.

Course Description

(This is a 3 day class. The same content is covered in FCP 200 — a 5 day class — but at a more relaxed pace)

This three-day, hands-on course teaches students to perform basic editing functions while becoming familiar with the Final Cut Pro user interface. In this course, you will cut a scene from the TNT television series Leverage, create a promo for Seaworld’s Believe documentary, as well as master filters and effects as you edit a segment of Playing for Change, the international music-creation event.

Start with basic video editing techniques and work all the way through Final Cut Pro’s powerful advanced features. Learn to mark and edit clips, mix sound, add titles, create transitions, apply filters, and more. Topics include basic setup, customizing preferences and settings, capturing video and audio, various editing and trimming techniques, Ripple, Roll, Slip, and Slide tools, audio editing and audio creation, finishing and final output. The book for this course is Apple Pro Training Series, “Final Cut Pro 7,” by Diana Weynand.

Who Should Attend

This class is designed for anyone looking to edit professional-quality video with Final Cut Pro and who prefers hands-on and interactive instruction to best explore its functionality.

Prerequisites

Students should have the following prerequisite knowledge prior to attending the course:

  • Knowledge of OS X and basic computer navigation
  • Basic knowledge of editing terminology is highly recommended

Course Outline

Note: The curricula below comprise activities typically covered in a class at this skill level. The instructor may, at his/her discretion, adjust the lesson plan to meet the needs of the class.

Day 1

Lesson 1: Editing in Final Cut Pro

  • Launching Final Cut Pro
  • Final Cut Pro Interface
  • Following a Workflow
  • Starting a Project
  • Importing Clips
  • Navigating Clips
  • Marking and Editing Clips
  • Playing and Navigating a Sequence
  • Organizing Project Elements
  • Saving,Hiding and Quitting Final Cut Pro

Lesson 2: Building the Rough Cut

  • Working with Projects
  • Editing a Rough Cut
  • Making Overwrite Edits
  • Managing Timeline Tracks
  • Making Insert Edits
  • Editing Audio Clips
  • Moving Clips in the Timeline
  • Creating a New Version
  • Drag-and-Drop
  • Editing and Changing the Volume of Edited Clips

Lesson 3: Finishing the Rough Cut

  • Adding Cutaways
  • Editing to Narration
  • Editing to Music
  • Copying, Cutting, Pasting, and Positioning Clips
  • Screening and Sharing a Sequence

Lesson 4: Trimming Clip Duration

  • Understanding Trimming
  • Rippling Edit Points
  • Rippling in the Viewer and by Numbers
  • Trimming Clips on the V2 Track
  • Trimming One Track of a Linked Clip

Lesson 5: Refining Edit Points

  • Trimming Two Edit Points
  • Slipping One Clip
  • Rolling Two Edit Points
  • Sliding Clips to Refine Position
  • Dragging Clips to New Locations
  • Keeping Linked Clips in Sync

Day 2

Lesson 6: Refining the Editing Process

  • Labeling Project Elements
  • Creating Subclips
  • Adding Markers to Clips
  • Using Markers to Align Actions
  • Using Storyboard Editing
  • Performing Replace Edits
  • Editing Multicam Footage

Lesson 7: Customizing Final Cut Pro

  • Reconnecting Media
  • Working with Mixed Format Sequences
  • Working with Master Clips
  • Logging Information in Browser Columns
  • Finding Project Items
  • Customizing Shortcut Keys and Button Bars
  • Saving and Loading Layouts
  • Optimizing User Preferences

Lesson 8: Capturing & Transferring Footage

  • Connecting Sources for Capture
  • Choosing Preset Format Settings
  • Previewing and Marking Your Source
  • Logging Clips
  • Choosing Clip Settings
  • Choosing Capture Settings
  • Choosing Capturing Options
  • Setting Capture Preferences
  • Transferring Files from Tapeless Sources

Lesson 9: Applying Transitions

  • Evaluating the Project
  • Understanding Transitions
  • Viewing Transition Options
  • Applying Transitions
  • Modifying and Copying Transitions
  • Using the Transition Editor
  • Changing Transition Parameters
  • Previewing and Rendering Effects

Lesson 10: Mixing Audio Tracks

  • Preparing the Project for Mixing
  • Organizing and Editing Audio Effects
  • Monitoring and Adjusting Audio Levels
  • Applying Transitions to Fade Volume
  • Setting Keyframes to Change Volume
  • Using the Audio Mixer
  • Recording a Narration Track
  • Importing Audio Files

Day 3

Lesson 11: Creating Titles

  • Working with Video Generators
  • Adding a Lower Third
  • Applying a Boris Title
  • Adding Mattes
  • Effects and Still Images
  • Creating a Credit Roll
  • Using Master Templates

Lesson 12: Changing Motion Properties

  • Entering Speed Changes
  • Using the Speed Tool
  • Creating a Freeze Frame
  • Changing Motion Parameters
  • Animating Motion Parameters

Lesson 13: Applying Filters

  • Applying and Viewing Video Filters
  • Viewing and Modifying Filter Parameters
  • Applying Audio Filters
  • Using a Color Correction Filter
  • Animating Filters

Lesson 14: Finishing and Outputting

  • Detecting Audio Peaks
  • Adjusting Video Levels for Broadcast
  • Sharing Clips and Sequences
  • Exporting a QuickTime Movie
  • Using Other Export Options
  • Exporting a Still Frame
  • Outputting to Tape
  • Making a Timecode Window Burn
  • Backing Up Projects

Course Fees

General Public $1000 – includes training book and exam Register
SU (non-Newhouse) Faculty, Staff & Students $750 – includes training book and exam Register
Newhouse Faculty, Staff & Students Contact Jason Kohlbrenner (jakohlbr@syr.edu) for more information.

If you have any questions please send an email to newhousetraining@syr.edu.