One of the problems of being in the middle is that I can see both sides. I don’t necessarily agree with them, but I can appreciate their point of view.
My blog this morning – Who’s Accountable – touched a nerve because, in addition to the people that commented directly on the blog, I’ve also had several private conversations with Apple and people who are very, very upset with Apple.
What’s become obvious over the last week, is that the way the Final Cut Pro X launch was handled has totally overshadowed the features of Final Cut Pro X.
Over the last several days, I’ve been consumed with trying to decide what to do – stay with Final Cut or move to another platform. If I switch, what do I switch to? What advice should I give to others trying to make the same choice?
As my office will attest, all this internal debating has not made me a pleasant person to be around.
Let me share my thinking with you — then, you can decide for yourself whether you agree or disagree.
First, let me say that I think the launch of Final Cut Pro X was very badly handled. As I’ve written, I don’t think Apple needed to cancel Final Cut Studio (3) as abruptly and coldly as they did. They should have given us more time to make an orderly transition. They were thinking as a technology company, not as editors managing a decade of assets.
Canceling Final Cut Server, even though it was incompatible with Final Cut Pro X, has unnecessarily jeopardized companies building a business on that platform.
Apple never does things accidentally, so they will disagree with me. Probably strongly disagree… I remember a remark one of the people at Apple told me before the launch, in that they were expecting a lot of controversy over the new version of Final Cut Pro.
Well, we can certainly agree about that.
I also think that Apple seriously erred in not providing a conversion utility between Final Cut Pro 7 and FCP X. The one-two punch of canceling FCS (3) and an inability to convert old projects dominated the discussion far more than the merits of FCP X.
Apple will disagree, but the launch did not take the feelings and passion of editors properly into account. And damage was done.
On the other hand, there are some very cool new features in Final Cut Pro X. Some editors are writing and telling me how much they are enjoying the new program. (Just as other editors are writing to tell me, at length, why they are moving to Avid or Adobe.)
There’s a lot of passion on both sides. And both sides have some truth behind them.
But, let’s look at a few more points:
* Apple said in their presentation at NAB that FCP X redefines video editing for the next ten years. There is lots of additional development planned.
* Apple told me that because FCP X is distributed via the App Store, they can update the program much more frequently than when it was sold as a package on DVD.
* Apple wrote in their FAQ that they are already working on adding new features, such as XML and multicam, to the product and releasing updates quickly.
* Apple has stressed that FCP X is designed to provide a feature set for professionals, and not just as an upgrade for iMovie. (I am not saying they MET the needs of professionals, but a look at the architecture of FCP X reveals features that no iMovie user would ever need.)
* However, it is also self-evident that Apple needed to provide a clear and consistent upgrade path to iMovie users who were totally lost trying to understand how Final Cut Express works. Apple feels that it is possible for one product to meet both needs.
As I wrote in an earlier blog – Moving Forward – the first rule of business is to stay in business. All of us should keep an eye on our options. Check out what Avid, Adobe, and Media 100 are offering. If you feel you can’t wait, then switch.
But I would also suggest that many of us would benefit by taking a deep breath and giving Apple a chance to live up to their promises for the program.
Final Cut Studio (3) still works.
It took Avid, Adobe, and Apple many years to evolve their programs to their current feature set. I’m willing to give Apple a few months to get their act together and fix what’s broken with FCP X.
I’m going to stay with Final Cut Pro for a while. Work at learning the new version. Give feedback to Apple on what they need to do to improve things. And share what I learn with you.
Final Cut Pro X has a lot of exciting potential – but, for many of us, that potential is not yet realized.
The burden is on Apple to deliver on their promises, update the program quickly, and repair the damage they did during the launch. The proof is in the program.
If they succeed, great. If not, Avid and Adobe will still be around in six months.
Larry
89 Responses to What Will Larry Do?
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Mitch Ives says:
July 11, 2011 at 12:06 pm
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Pat (VET) says:
July 11, 2011 at 12:07 pm
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Reg says:
July 11, 2011 at 12:19 pm
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Christophe says:
July 11, 2011 at 12:31 pm
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Jim McQuaid says:
July 11, 2011 at 12:35 pm
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BenB says:
July 11, 2011 at 12:42 pm
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Larry says:
July 11, 2011 at 1:29 pm
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BenB says:
July 11, 2011 at 1:37 pm
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Jeff Orig says:
July 11, 2011 at 2:37 pm
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Caesar Darias says:
July 11, 2011 at 2:48 pm
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Buck Wilde says:
July 11, 2011 at 3:22 pm
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Larry says:
July 11, 2011 at 3:31 pm
← Older Comments Newer Comments →Larry,
I agree with you, but the fact that everyone has felt the need to come out and revised their initial statements (some under Apple pressure) tells me that Apple wanted no confusion about the fact that video output isn’t happening. It has all of the shortness of the “old project conversion isn’t coming ever” statement. I was still optimistic up until this part…
I’m sure Apple could find a way to provide video output but my monies on them wanting to leave that behind them and move on.
They maybe ahead of the curve but they can afford to play the long game. Why waste resources on what they consider to be a dead technology.
I can see Apple tying future versions into Apple TV and that will suit the very large market of users.
A thought regarding a Mac or a PC. You might want to scan this article from Richard Harrington (scroll to the section titled “Walled Garden”). As he points out; “I am an Apple fanboy.” and “We have some smoking fast PC’s in the office from Dell that just chew through motion graphics and video production tasks. I have more choice.”
http://www.richardharringtonblog.com/files/d29a1da61ba1ff6025fb9c52b99b74cd-1448.php
We are a Mac shop with 9 stations and XSAN running Adobe with Cuda cards. But we also work with a PC based company running Adobe. Their PC’s were half the cost of the Mac’s and leave the Mac’s behind in their dust when it comes to performance. Just something to consider over a tough decision.
Larry,
Thank you for everything you share with us.
I am personally still very found of the simplicity of iMovie, and of the power of FCP. And ready to move to the new soft anyway.
My conclusion is that Apple launched their new product with the wrong name : it shouldn’t be called Final Cut Pro X, but “iMovie Pro”, or Final Cut NY Pro (“Not Yet Pro”). Let’s be positive and work together to make those two letters disappear (“Not Yet” of course, not New York…).
Thank you for your contribution.
Chris (from Paris, France)
A PC-based editor and friend suggested that Vegas has some of the features found in FCX. He thought it might be a good time for Vegas to support Macs . . . .
Larry,
Couple of points here, as a someone who ordered FCP v.1 the day it was put on the market. First, as an Apple Certified Master Trainer, I, like Larry, am restricted to what I can and can’t say publicly on specific matters. There is so much I wish I could say, all personal opinion, but I can’t, and it wouldn’t change anything. I will urge folks wait until the FCP X level 1 APTS book is released. I’m sure it’s contents will give us a good idea what will be in store. I suggest folks hold on until then (FCS3 will still run for several more years on Lion) before making rash decisions. The public should understand that we are not given any special information, nor any special treatment. The overwhelming majority of us never get to talk to Apple like Larry does. We all depend on Larry and the 2 or 3 other ACT’s that Apple will actually speak to, to represent us, if they are so inclined. It’s an act of faith on our part, we have no more influence, knowledge, or anything that any end users doesn’t have. We just put a lot of time, effort, “BST”, and finances into becoming trainers.
When Pages first came out it was so feature poor it was laughable. But I hated the overly bloated, hard to use, technologically out of date MS Office so much, I used Pages anyway (and whats-his-name before that). Today, Pages is so feature rich, I can’t live without it. Let’s hope FCP X goes this same route.
Second, as for saying a Project is the same as a Sequence, I strongly disagree Larry. As I published in my “Edit Lab Report” (free) today, you can create multiple, empty Compound Clips directly in the Event Browser, give them names (Scene 1, Scene 2, etc), create a Smart Collection to put them in (Search for “Text includes ‘Scene'”, can’t use keywords with Compound Clips). Then you can open each directly into it’s own Timeline window, without ever touching a Project. When all your scenes are done, create a Project, drop them in just like nested sequences in FCP 7. So, where does anyone get we don’t have “Sequences” and “Nesting” anymore?
Third, yes, Apple has done incredible damage to it’s reputation, and the professional world may never trust it again. But Apple doesn’t seem to really care about that. What of those of us who relied on FCSvr for a large chunk of our income? Does Apple know we are devastated (financially). I’m trying very hard to hold on and give Apple a couple of months to sort this all out. But to simply drop FCSvr without a word, without warning (as with XServe), without extended support, with the huge damage it did to business and individuals who depend on it, well, some things simply can never be forgiven, and loyalties are is serious question today. I have a very long line of consulting and training clients I have to answer to, many who’ve cursed me out personally and moved on to Avid or Adobe already. There goes “my” reputation and income, thanks to Apple watching out for it’s clients. I often wonder, if we trainers had the same apathy towards our clients, students, and fans, would FCP have gotten to be such a market giant?
Finally, my big million dollar question of the day is this Larry; are Jobs and Ubillos aware of, and if so, do they give a rats fuzzy bottom about the very real, physical devastation they’ve caused, and if they do, how are we to know?
Actions speak louder than words, or silence…
We’ll see where Apple goes when the APTS books come out (slated late Sept), and decide if we stay or if we go. Very simple. But I’d never treat my clients with the apathy Apple has proven it has for it’s loyal supporters. Either way, I consider what Apple did unconscionably shameful, and their silence is salt into the wound. But do they know it, and do they care?
Ben:
That’s a great tip on how to use Compound clips. Thanks!
As for Apple knowing, they know. I’ve made strong suggestions – as have many of us – on what they should do. As to that, we will see.
Finally, given the nature of publishing, I’m sure the FCP X training book will be good – Diana Weynand does good work – but the real test is how the software improves. It is my hope that we see upgrades to the software before the book is on the market.
Again, the pressure is on Apple to step up to their promises.
Larry
P.S. I agree totally that canceling Final Cut Server was both myopically unwise and economically devastating.
I site the release date of the book as a benchmark. I don’t see Apple publishing an APTS book that only covers half the known features. It’s another act of faith, but, that’s my personal bench mark. I hope the contents of the book will give insight. Keep up the great work, Larry! And thanks for your advocacy with Apple. It’s good to know someone has their ear, at least. Keeping faith, breathing deep, staying centered…
Hi Larry,
If you are taking votes on your training direction, off-hand, I agree you should stick with FCPX until it is clear it is a dead end. I still have hope for FCPX. I went through your training and have been trying to use it on client projects. But right now it is either missing simple features or I don’t understand how to do it in FCPX yet to use it as my money maker.
Back to my vote for your training: stick with FCPX but start working on Adobe products.
If I switch completely, I will most likely go to Premiere and the Production Collection. I am already using most of those products anyway. Photoshop, After Effects, and Illustrator are a part of my current workflow and blow away anything I have seen come from Apple in that regard.
Unless you have some compelling reason to go Avid or Media 100, Adobe Premiere sounds like the way to go since there is the integration and I already own the product and its installed on my machine. I end up buying the whole suite since it’s cheaper than buying Photoshop, After Effects, and Illustrator all separately.
Plus, I started out on Premiere but switched to FCS due to the incredible stability of FCS.
Part of me wants to start the switch now in order to take advantage of the 64bit and native file processing without the transcode.
Anyway, great work as usual. Keep it up.
Thanks.
According to the Barnes & Noble site, the Weynand book will not be available until October 4. The Steve Martin book will be available on September 12.
I cannot imagine that these books will be published until Apple updates FCP X. Who would buy a book that’s outdated before the ink dries? Therefore, I expect significant X updates very soon.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/apple-pro-training-series-peachpit-press/1007638427?ean=9780321774675&itm=2&usri=final%2bcut%2bpro%2bx
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/apple-pro-video-series-steve-martin/1104044100?ean=9780321809629&itm=1&usri=final%2bcut%2bpro%2bx
LARRY, PLEASE READ THIS.
I want to encourage you. I’ve been to many types of trainings. So with the authority of an experienced student, I tell everyone, “Larry Jordan is the best NLE trainer I know.”
Some unhappy FCPUG attendee told me you are joined at the hip with Apple, a professional Apple FanBoy. I see you differently.
I see the BRAND “Larry Jordan” as loyal to Apple and FCP classic. But bigger than that, I see “Larry Jordan” as an above-average NLE Editor Trainer. You are a professional with a knack for using real life workflow moments and expressing ideas and solutions in a easy to follow manner.
Last week, I dropped FCP in favor of Adobe Premiere w/AE. One thing I do not want to lose is Larry Jordan. I hope you expand the range of tools you teach. Be a leader in training the best of high end editing tools.
As we often hear, it’s NOT the software, but the Editor that defines the story and impresses the audience. Don’t let Apple’s brand define the LARRY JORDAN BRAND.
Buck Wilde, Editor/VGX Artist
Buck:
Thanks for writing. If I were “joined at the hip” with Apple, they would spend less time yelling at me…
And, yes, I’m thinking about what tools I teach and how I teach them.
Larry