Final Cut X Tutorials

In our post-production tutorials we have been looking at using the editing software that is Final Cut Pro X. I have previously used this software before but i have not had as much experience with using X than i have of FInal Cut 7 so i found it really useful to be able to thoroughly go through the software. Before the tutorials i only really knew the basics of the software, such as knowing how to import footage, place the footage onto the timeline and how to use the software to do a very basic edit. However, i knew that there was a lot that i didn't know about X and that i was very unsure on how to use the software to it's full advantage.

One of the key things that i found useful in these tutorials was going through all of the different menus and buttons properly and looking at what they did. For example, we looked at the keyword editor where you can name each section as a keyword and these will then appear in the event library. We looked at menus and tools that i wouldn't normally pay much attention to as i wouldn't know how to use them and what they were used for. So i found it helpful to go through these as it meant that i had a more broader knowledge of the software, rather than just knowing the basic menus and tools.

 It was also useful to learn about the different keyboard shortcuts as this helps greatly to speed up the editing process.  For example -

• E - will place selected clip at the end of the sequence 
• W - will place the clip where the playhead is on the timeline 
• Q - will place the clip above on a separate track 
• S - will turn video and audio skimming on/off 
• J - Forward
• K - Pause 
• L - Reverse 
• F - mark as favourite clip 

During the tutorials we used footage of flowers in order to practice editing using the software. I found it a lot easier and quicker to edit using X than i usually would as we were taken through each stage of the editing process as we went along and this helped a lot. By doing so i learnt a lot more about what the best way was to use the software when doing things such as selecting the correct settings before editing and importing footage. 

I now feel that i have a far better understanding of how to use the Final Cut Pro X software than i did previously and i know that i would feel more confident in using it. However, i know that i need to practice using this software in order to develop my understanding and knowledge of the software further. 

"Practice makes perfect".