It describes appropriate postproduction workflows, team roles and responsibilities, and required equipment for some of the most common media productions. Combining the wisdom of traditional roles and responsibilities with an understanding of how FCP facilitates a new flexibility where these roles/responsibilities can be redistributed, this book sheds light on workflow processes and responsibilities, and includes 7 real-world workflows from a diverse range of projects.  The book also provides access to a companion website that features additional electronic chapters focusing on Final Cut Server, Apple's powerful new media asset management and workflow automation software.
 

This workshop give you firsthand experience with the art and technique of editing. Its eleven tutorials cover the essentials, including:
* setting up your system and understanding the interface
* getting your material into FCE and organizing it
* slicing, dicing, and organizing clips
* editing to build and trim a sequence of shots
* adding transitions
* using sound to refine your edit
* titling with FCE and Photoshop
* animating images to create engaging scenes
* adding special effects filters
* compositing to enhance your projects
* outputting your material
The companion DVD contains a video introduction to FCE that is especially designed for iMovie users. It compares and contrasts the two applications to ease the transition. The DVD-ROM portion contains project media, demo software, and free plug-ins for your use.

 

Final Cut Pro On the Spot, 2nd Edition by Richard Harrington and Abba Shapiro is packed with more than 400 expert techniques, to clearly illustrate the essential methods that pros use to get the job done with Final Cut Pro. Experienced editors and novices alike will discover an invaluable reference filled with ways to improve efficiency and creativity.  This edition includes dozens of new tips and shortcuts.
Title: Final Cut Pro On the Spot - Price: $27.95
Format: Trade paper, 9-1/4” x 7-3/8”, 259 pp.

Editing Techniques with Final Cut Pro by Michael Wohl

Strongly recommended by many of our professional editors (even if you don't use FCP), "Editing Techniques with Final Cut Pro" is an excellent handbook features over 425 pages and 9 chapters covering everything from the basics of production and what an editor does, the language of film and editing, the planning needed when preparing to edit, and the use of Final Cut Pro itself, from beginning through advanced techniques and effects like ramping the speed of a clip, compositing computer animation over a clip, picture-in-picture, color correction, creating titles, and much more.

This is a solid handbook for beginners who intend to get serious. Offering far more information than just how to use Final Cut Pro for editing, Editing Techniques with Final Cut Pro is almost misnamed. While the focus of the book is editing, there is so much useful information here on pre-production and production that it is simply a wonderful handbook on how to make a good digital video film. 

Jeff Carlson's new ebook, Take Control of Media on Your iPad, Second Edition, takes readers beyond the basics with a full discussion of using media on the iPad or iPad 2.

Sebastopol, CA—April 12, 2011 - Owners of either the original iPad or the slim, new iPad 2 will find much to enhance their enjoyment of Apple's magical tablet in TidBITS Publishing Inc.'s latest ebook, Take Control of Media on Your iPad, Second Edition (TidBITS Publishing Inc., $15.00 USD), written by digital-media expert Jeff Carlson.

Carlson carefully covers the basics, so even new iPad users can get up to speed quickly. For those who want to go further, Carlson expands their media universe, helping them explore a variety of options, whether they want to read ebooks, enjoy music or audiobooks, watch video, or view photos. The ebook also helps readers integrate their iPad with an Apple TV, and it has tips that will help iPad 2 owners take better photos with that device's cameras.

read the press release

iPod: The Missing Manual, 5th Edition- thoroughly covers the redesigned iPod Nanos, the video iPod, the tiny Shuffle and the overhauled iTunes 7. Each custom-designed page sports easy-to-follow color graphics, crystal-clear explanations, and guidance on the most useful things your iPod can do.

Making Movies with Final Cut Express, is for those considering making the move to Final Cut Express (or thinking about why you should) and want an expert personal trainer. Author Michael Rubin lays out everything you need to know to start producing entertaining and informative videos with Apple's new Final Cut Express. With many illustrations and a friendly writing style, this handy book makes it easy for even complete novices to become skilled and comfortable at digital video editing. 

Rubin explains Final Cut Express' important tools and fancy features using specially prepared video that is included on the books companion DVD. In no time you'll be using the timeline, inserting and adjusting shots, and working with picture and sound separately to create professional results. Once you've mastered the basics, Rubin goes on to explain how to add music, titles, and special effects to your video and encourages you to think of new ways you can apply this powerful software to your personal and business projects. Its the perfect first book for someone just getting into Final Cut Express. Get Final Cut Express from Amazon. Read review of Final Cut Express

iMovie '09 & iDVD: The Missing Manual

• Editing Basics. iMovie '09 teems with speed tips, hidden features, and powerful shortcuts. This book covers them all--even the alpha-channel title trick.

• Stunning Effects. iMovie '09 can take shaky, boring footage and make it look smooth and professional. Learn how to make the most of your movie's potential.

• Finding an audience. Export your masterpieces to the Web (YouTube, MobileMe, or your own site), an AppleTV, an iPod, or even your iPhone.

• Mastering DVDs. iDVD lets you distribute your movies on Hollywood-style DVDs up to four hours long--in widescreen, if you like.

Read the Book Review

Making Awesome iMovies (CD-ROM) $29.95

read the review