Introduction to Final Cut Pro
Course Description
This three-day hands-on course introduces students to the primary feature set and basic interface of Final Cut Pro. In this course you learn to perform basic editing functions while familiarizing yourself with the user interface. Topics include basic setup, adjusting and 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.
Who Should Attend?
This class is designed for anyone looking to edit professional quality video using Final Cut Pro. Understanding of the Macintosh operating system and basic computer navigation is desired. The course is designed for those who prefer hands-on and interactive instruction to best explore the full functionality of Final Cut Pro.
Certification
This course covers the requirements necessary to successfully become an Apple Certified Pro, Level One in Final Cut Pro. Level One certification attests to basic operational knowledge of the application.
Final Cut Pro Level One certification also counts towards the new Final Cut Studio (FCS) Master Pro certification. FCS Master certification recognizes a Certified Pro’s skills with the entire Final Cut Studio product suite. Since workflow is such a significant component of Final Cut Studio, users need certification in at least four of the applications to earn Master Certification. For details, please visit training.apple.com/certification/proapps.
To register for the exam, please consult with your Apple Authorized Training Center. You are required to have an Apple Tech ID number before registering for any Apple exam. You can apply for a Tech ID by following the instructions at certifications.apple.com.
Prerequisites
Students should have the following prerequisite knowledge prior to attending the course:
- Basic knowledge of the Macintosh OS
- Basic knowledge of editing terminology is recommended
Course Outline - Day 1
| Topic | Description |
| Lesson 1 Screening and Marking in the Final Cut Pro Interface | Launching Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Pro Interface, Following a Workflow, Working with Projects, Organizing Elements, Playing Clips in the Viewer, Navigating Clips, Project Tasks, Navigating a Sequence, Marking Clips, Quitting and Hiding Final Cut Pro. |
| Lesson 2 Editing Clips in the Timeline | Managing Project Elements, Editing a Rough Cut, Making Overwrite Edits, Managing Timeline Tracks, Making Insert Edits, Adding Audio Clips, Moving Clips in the Timeline, Drag-and-Drop Editing, and Changing Volume of Edited Clips. |
| Lesson 3 Finishing the Rough Cut | Adding Cutaways, Editing to Narration, Editing to Music, Copying, Cutting, Pasting and Positioning Clips. |
| Lesson 4 Trimming to Refine Clip Duration | Preparing a Project for Trimming, Trimming Overview, Rippling Edit Points, Rippling in the Viewer and by Numbers, Trimming on the V2 Track, and Trimming One Track of a Linked Clip. |
| Lesson 5 Trimming to Refine a Sequence | Preparing Your Sequence, Adjusting Two Edit Points, Slipping One Clip, Slipping Sequence Clips, Rolling Two Edit Points, Sliding Clips to Refine Position, Dragging Clips to New Locations, and Keeping Linked Clips in Sync. |
Course Outline - Day 2
| Topic | Description |
| Lesson 6 Refining the Edit Process | Creating Subclips, Adding Markers to Clips, Storyboard Editing, Replacing Edits, and Editing Multicamera. |
| Lesson 7 Supporting the Editing Process | Reconnecting Media, Playing Multiple Formats, Working with Master Clips, Logging Information in Browser Columns, Finding and Labeling Project Items, Customizing Shortcut Keys and Buttons, Saving and Loading Layouts, and Optimizing User Preferences. |
| Lesson 8 Capturing Footage | Connecting Sources for Capture, Creating a New Project for Capturing, Previewing and Marking Your Source, Logging Clips, Choosing Clip Settings, Choosing Capture Settings, Choosing Capturing Options, Setting Capture Preferences and Acquiring Other Media. |
| Lesson 9 Applying Transitions | Evaluating Project Needs, Understanding Transitions, Viewing Transition Options, Applying Transitions, Modifying and Copying Transitions, Using the Transition Editor, Changing Transition Parameters, Previewing and Rendering Effects. |
Course Outline - Day 3
| Topic | Description |
| Lesson 10 Mixing Audio Tracks | Preparing the Project, Organizing and Editing Audio Tracks, Monitoring and Adjusting Audio Levels, Applying Transitions to Fade Volume, Setting Keyframes to Change Volume, Using the Audio Mixer, Recording a Narration Track, and Importing CD Tracks. |
| Lesson 11 Creating Titles | Working with Video Generators, Adding a Lower Third, Applying a Boris Title, Creating a Credit Roll, Adding Mattes and Other Generated Items, Building a Composite Opening Title, Using Master Templates, and Working with Graphics. |
| Lesson 12 Changing Motion Properties | Changing Speed Properties, Creating a Freeze-Frame, Changing Clip Size and Position, Building a Split Screen, and Animating Motion Parameters. |
| Lesson 13 Applying Filters | Applying and Viewing Filters, Viewing and Modifying Filter Parameters, Applying Audio Filters, Using a Color Correction Filter, and Animating Filters. |
| Lesson 14 Finishing and Outputting | Detecting Audio Peaks, Adjusting Video Levels for Broadcast, Understanding File Formats, Exporting QuickTime Files, Outputting to Tape, and Backing up Projects. |
