If you are looking for ways to take pristine action footage and make it look like its been through the wars, you need to check out what you can do with Rampant Design’s FCP X Essentials.
CommandPost is an indispensable tool for Final Cut Pro. One of its key features enables a scrolling timeline. However, this feature can conflict with the latest version of Final Cut. Here’s what you need to know.
In this short video, Larry Jordan shows how to create and motion track a shape mask to change the color of objects in a frame. He also shows how and why to use the Broadcast Safe effect.
Masks hide things – even in video. In this short tutorial, Larry Jordan shows how to use shape masks and color masks to change the color of objects in a video.
In this short video, I show how to change the color of a single object in a frame. This is called a “secondary color correction.”
Most of the time, syncing clips to be frame accurate is good enough. But, sometimes you need more precision. This tutorial illustrates how to slip audio inside the frame in 1/80th of a frame increments using Apple Final Cut Pro.
In this short video, Larry Jordan illustrates the differences between Paste Effects and Paste Attributes in Final Cut Pro. He’ll also show their impact on keyframe timing.
Recent updates to Apple Final Cut Pro added several more mask effects, three of which I illustrate in this tutorial: Corner mask, Graduated mask, and Image mask. Here’s what they look like and how to create them.
Multicam editing in DaVinci Resolve is not as refined as in Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. But, it is still worth learning. Here’s a detailed tutorial on how multicam editing works.
What causes those strange hash marks at the top of clips in Final Cut Pro? Actually, they are indicating a good thing – here’s what they are and how to turn them on or off.
Apple Final Cut Pro has four ways to place clips: In the Primary storyline, a connected clip, a connected storyline, or a compound clip. There are several differences between these. Here’s how to choose which to use.
So, I wondered whether Final Cut Pro exported faster if you rendered the timeline before exporting. The answer surprised me – most of the time, it doesn’t. Here’s what you need to know to speed your exports.
Have you ever wanted to find a shot you haven’t used yet? Yeah, happens to me all the time. Fortunately, Final Cut Pro makes it easy. Here’s how to either find the media you are using, or find the media you are NOT using.
There’s a hidden rating feature in Final Cut Pro that can help you organize your clips. It’s been there since FCP was first released over a decade ago. However, in recent years, Apple has deemphasized this to the point you …
Export segmentation is one of the new features in Final Cut 10.7 that becomes available when you upgrade to macOS Sonoma. This harnesses the power of multiple media engines in Apple silicon chips to accelerate H.264 and HEVC exports in FCP or Compressor. While this makes exports faster, it also has other benefits – and limitations.
In this short video, Larry Jordan demos Smart Collections – which are simply saved searches – in Apple Final Cut Pro.
Apple has improved object tracking in the 10.7 version of Final Cut Pro. While still not perfect, it is much faster and more accurate. Here’s how it works.
Apple updated Final Cut Pro to version 10.7 and included a number of new features. Here are details on three that are especially useful: Timeline scrolling, collapsing clips and faster H.264 and HEVC exports.
Today, Apple released new versions of Final Cut Pro (10.7), Motion (5.7), and Compressor (4.7). Here are the details.
There are a variety of ways to find, select, and rename media in Apple Final Cut Pro. Here’s what you need to know.
A typical problem when I record Zoom calls or screen captures is that the audio and video are out of sync. Here are three ways to sync clips, with one being the best option.
Bill asks: How I can sync an out-of-sync Zoom recording for a multicam project in Apple Final Cut Pro? The answer is fairly simple, but not obvious. Here’s how to do it.
There are advantages to moving video editing projects between applications. In this video tutorial, Larry Jordan shows how to move an Apple Final Cut Pro project from Final Cut into DaVinci Resolve for color grading, then bring it back to Final Cut for final output.
Apple announces new versions of Final Cut Pro for the Mac (v10.7) and iPad (v1.3) – both “coming soon.” However, many of these “new features” already seem to be in the software. This is a confusing announcement.
There are six hidden keyboard shortcuts in Apple Final Cut Pro that can simplify editing dialog and action scenes – four of which are not even assigned to keys! Here’s what they are and how they work.
Apple released Final Cut Pro version 10.6.10, which fixed two major bugs. Here are the details and new features.
Storyboards are a great way to help you think about a shot before getting on set. Here’s a great way to use placeholders in Final Cut Pro, along with Photoshop, to create simple – but flexible – storyboards.
3D text is exciting because of its depth and the variety of textures available for each surface. But the real excitement comes when you start to play with lighting. Here’s a simple tutorial on how this works.
Yesterday’s update to Final Cut Pro breaks most FXFactory plugins. Caution is urged on updating. Here are the details, along with Release Notes for new versions of Final Cut Pro, Compressor and Motion.
Normally, double-system sound needs to be synced before you start editing. But, if that’s not possible, Larry Jordan presents a way to sync clips after they are edited into the timeline.
With the pace of development slowing for Apple Final Cut Pro on the Mac, here are some of Larry Jordan’s thoughts on what he sees as its future.
Camera archives appeared with the initial release of Apple Final Cut Pro more than a decade ago. However, they aren’t talked about too much these days, which is a shame, because they have several useful functions.
Personally, most of my projects are stored in a single library. However, if I needed to tackle something really big, I’d probably go with Option 3. Here are three options for organizing, managing and exporting large projects in Apple Final Cut Pro.
Apple Final Cut does not support exporting markers – or anything else – displayed in the Timeline Index. However, there’s a cool work-around that works perfectly. Here’s what you need to know.
The week, Apple released bug-fix versions of Final Cut Pro, Motion and Compressor. Here’s a list of what’s new and links to get more information.
Shooting log video is a great way to preserve highlight and shadow detail in an image. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to color grade Log video without using a LUT in Apple Final Cut Pro.
With the 10.6.6 update to Final Cut Pro on the Mac, Apple introduced a new feature called Scene Removal Mask. What this does is remove a static background from behind an active foreground subject. Here’s how it works.
Apple Final Cut Pro provides powerful color tools that improve video. In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan demos two quick color tricks that fix color casts and make sure skin tones are accurate.
Final Cut Pro provides powerful color tools that improve video. In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan shows how to keyframe a color correction, plus an easier way to correct white balance problems.
Final Cut Pro provides powerful color tools that improve video. In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan explains what LUTs are, how they can improve your images, how to use them – and what to avoid – plus, how to create a custom LUT for your next project.
With the 10.6.6 of Final Cut Pro, Apple removed the Fat EQ audio filter. The Channel EQ filter is recommended to take its place. It is even more flexible. Here’s an overview.
The new Color Conform in Apple Final Cut Pro takes a really complex subject – matching color spaces – and makes it accessible and easy to use. Here’s how it works.
Apple just updated Final Cut Pro, Compressor, Motion and Logic on the Mac to support the release of Final Cut and Logic on the iPad. Here’s the compete details of what’s in the update.
Here’s a quick tip to use roles to quickly and easily mute different audio channels in the timeline. This is especially useful when working with double-system sound.
Apple just announced new versions of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for the iPad. The iPad version is a harbinger of things to come; both good and bad. Professional editors are not the market. Here’s what’s in the new software and, more importantly, what it means.
Audio is a huge part of any project. In this short video, Larry Jordan presents how to use keyboard shortcuts and “fade dots” to preview audio and add fades between clips.
Audio is a huge part of any project. In this short video, Larry Jordan illustrates how to work with double-system sound – where the audio is recorded separately from the video – inside Apple Final Cut Pro.
Audio is a huge part of any project. In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan shows how to work with multichannel audio in Apple Final Cut Pro.
Audio is a huge part of any project. In this short video, Larry Jordan presents three techniques you can use to repair problems with your audio.
In the old days, to monitor video to see exactly what it looks like for color grading required an external video monitor. Today, that’s no longer necessary. Here are three different techniques to view full-screen video from cheap to high-quality.
A reader requested help in creating a video with burned-in timecode so he could send dailies to a client for review. Final Cut has supported this feature for a long time, but, recently Apple changed the process. Here’s what you need to know.
Most of the time, Final Cut just “works.” Which is great, because we can get our work done. But, then there are those other times which drive us nuts. Try these ten trouble-shooting tips before contacting Apple Support.
There’s a strange playback glitch when you use compound clips to generate slow-motion effects in Final Cut. In this short video, Larry Jordan shows what the glitch is and demos work-arounds to avoid it.
Topaz Videa AI, from Topaz Labs, does amazing work deinterlacing and enhancing clips. This is an overview of how it works.
Changing the playback speed of a clip is a fast and easy way to create an eye-catching visual effect. In this short video, Larry Jordan shows the differences in image quality using five different techniques to create slow motion in Final Cut Pro.
Changing the playback speed of a clip is a fast and easy way to create an eye-catching visual effect. In this short video, Larry Jordan shows how to create fast-motion transitions within a clip to move quickly within a scene.
Changing the playback speed of a clip is a fast and easy way to create an eye-catching visual effect. In this short video, Larry Jordan shows how to create a Fit-to-Fill edit in the Timeline.
Still photos, slides and digital images are a common component in many video projects. In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan shows how to use keyframes inside Final Cut Pro to animate still images using straight lines and curves.
Still photographs, slides and digital images are common in many video projects where editors often need to bring them to life. In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan shows three simple, AI-based, Photoshop tools to repair still images for video projects.
Still photographs, slides and digital images are a common component in many video projects. From digital photos to maps to old photos, editors often need to bring still images to life. In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan shows how.
This you won’t believe. I tested to see how many streams of 4K media Final Cut Pro can edit in a multicam clip. The answer blew me away. These are the details.
A frequent question is whether a computer has the power an editor needs. Here I look at what Apple Final Cut Pro needs for 4K multicam editing and the speeds your storage needs to support. The answer is not what you expect.
The macOS 13.2.1 update fixes a significant bug in the current version of Apple Final Cut Pro. Here are the details.
Apple Final Cut Pro is a very stable program. But, sometimes, it gets confused. When it does, the first step to reset Final Cut is to delete its preference files. Here’s how.
There’s an undocumented timeline project verification and repair function built-into Apple Final Cut Pro. While you may not ever need to use this, it is good to know that it’s there. Here’s how to access it. Option-click the Clip menu …
Adding a few dozen To-Do markers to any Final Cut project won’t cause any problems. However, if you regularly import transcripts into FCP, take the time to read this thread, especially if your system seems to be slower than usual.
Masks allow us to select a portion of a video image. In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan shows a variety of ways to use color, shape and draw masks in Apple Final Cut Pro to create visual effects or fix problems.
Chroma-key allows us to make specific colors in a video image transparent. In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan shows different ways to use chroma-key, which is also called a “green-screen key,” to create useful video effects.
Multicam editing allows us to edit several camera clips at the same time. In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan shows how to use the multicam Angle Editor in Apple Final Cut Pro, along with some advanced techniques that make multicam files easier to edit.
Apple ProRes is a family of media codecs. In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan explains what the different versions of ProRes are and how to pick the right version for your next video project.
Apple Final Cut Pro supports having more than one project open at once, even though only the active project is displayed. Here’s how to open, switch between and close one or more projects inside FCP.
Shaky video footage can cause an audience to get motion sick watching your program. Fortunately, Apple Final Cut Pro provides three ways to smooth shaky footage. Here’s an illustrated tutorial on how these work.
One of our favorite – and most wide-ranging – sessions returns with “Ask Larry Anything!” Presented by Larry Jordan, this is a free-form conversation based on questions submitted by viewers. In this short video tutorial, Larry presents three methods of importing only a portion of a video clip into Apple Final Cut Pro – along with an explanation of why you can’t.
This morning, Apple released new versions of Final Cut Pro, Motion and Compressor. Here are the details, along with links to the full release notes.
Here’s an illustrated tutorial on how to animate multiple elements in a bar graph to illustrate a scientific concept. While this will work with most video editing software, I use Apple Final Cut Pro in this example.
Here are two very clever workarounds to create short extracts of much larger media files to save storage space when importing video into Apple Final Cut Pro.
Looking for ways to work faster? Here are five pretty much undocumented quick tricks – from import to export – that make Final Cut Pro work even faster.
In this illustrated tutorial are three interesting, but little-used, effects in Apple Final Cut Pro that create interesting backgrounds or change the mood of a scene.
Axle.ai is a fast, powerful and customizable media asset management system that is designed for the needs of a small to medium sized workgroup. This is an in-depth product review, along with an interview with Axle.ai CEO Sam Bogoch.
There are seven Stylize effects in Apple Final Cut Pro that create illegal video levels. This tutorial shows what they are, the problems they cause and how to fix them before final export.
[ Updated Aug. 22, 2022, with comments from Ed Cilley. ] Kristen Flynn asks: “How do people keep track of stock music? Where do they keep it? How do they access it for an edit? I feel like I have …
In this highly-illustrated tutorial, I showcase what the “Light” effects do in Final Cut Pro, along with the settings used.
This week, Apple released a minor update to Final Cut Pro (v 10.6.4), Compressor (v 4.6.2), Motion (v 5.6.2) and iMovie. Here are the details.
The reason we use effects is to help us tell our story more effectively. While creating effects can take more time than we expect, the results, when effects are chosen wisely, can be amazing. Here are a baker’s dozen of little-known effects in Apple Final Cut Pro.
There’s an old axiom for everyone who works in video, “Editing is all about work arounds.” Carleton Cole presents a workaround for editing Microsoft Teams videos when the images randomly shift position.
Here’s an illustrated tutorial on how to slow a video clip from full-speed to a standing stop, then back up to full-speed, while inserting a freeze frame in the middle that can be any duration you want using Apple Final Cut Pro.
Relinking media in Final Cut has become increasing powerful and flexible. Here’s an illustrated tutorial on how it works, along with advice on where to store media for different Final Cut Pro projects.
This tutorial creates a 3D text template in Apple Motion that allows Apple Final Cut Pro to put moving video inside adjustable, textured 3D text. There are many creative variations on this idea.
Last week, Apple reassured editors it remained committed to Final Cut. But were they firing up development or simply being nice? This article is an effort to spark a discussion between Final Cut editors on what features they want to see and how important those features are. I encourage you to add your suggestions and comments.
Multicam recording captures an event using multiple cameras. Multicam editing displays all those angles during the edit. In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan shows how to create virtual angles in a multicam clip to provide more diversity in shot selection, as well as how to create a montage using multicam in Final Cut Pro.
Multicam recording captures an event using multiple cameras. Multicam editing displays all those angles during the edit. In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan shows how to add visual effects and color grading to a multicam clip in Final Cut Pro.
Multicam recording captures an event using multiple cameras. Multicam editing displays all those angles during the edit. In this short video excerpt, Larry Jordan shows how to handle multi-channel audio in a Final Cut multicam clip.
Apple responds to Final Cut Pro editors’ petition to refocus and intensity marketing and development on Final Cut Pro.
How many CPU cores do you need for video editing? This illustrated tutorial looks at how many CPU cores Apple Final Cut Pro uses during import, edit, render, export and multicam. The answer is surprising!
Recently, Apple updated Final Cut Pro to version 10.6.2. In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan shows how to use the new duplicate media detection feature to indicate where you are using the same media in the timeline more than once.
Recently, Apple updated Final Cut Pro to version 10.6.2. In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan shows how to use the new Voice Isolation feature to remove hum and reduce background noise.