Course Description

This three-day, hands-on course introduces students to the primary feature set and basic interface of Final Cut Express 4. In this course you learn to perform basic editing functions while familiarising yourself with the user interface. Topics include basic setup, adjusting and customising 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 with Final Cut Express and who prefers hands-on and interactive instruction to best explore its functionality. Also desirable: an understanding of the Macintosh operating system and basic computer navigation.

What You Will Learn

Working with the Browser and Bins

Marking clips and using insert and overwrite edits as well as drag-and-drop editing

Marking and deleting clips in the Timeline

Trimming edit points

Using Ripple, Roll and Extend edits and the Slip and Slide tools

Finishing and final output

Prerequisites

Students should have the following prerequisite knowledge prior to attending the course:

Basic knowledge of Mac OS X

Basic knowledge of editing terminology is recommended

Course Outline

Day 1

Topic

Description

Covering the Basics

Working with Finder Windows, Working with the Dock, and Adding Final Cut Express to the Dock

Editing Video

Preparing the Lesson, Working with DV, Working with QuickTime, Shooting Terminology, and Understanding Nonlinear Editing

Working with a Project

Launching Final Cut Express, The Final Cut Express Interface, Menus, Shortcuts and the Mouse, Working with Projects in the Browser, Selecting Window Layouts, Working with Bins, and Quitting and Hiding Final Cut Express

Working in the Timeline

Preparing the Project, The Timeline and the Canvas, Playing a Sequence in the Timeline, Working with Timeline Tracks, Playing the Sequence from the Canvas, Saving and Quitting

Day 2

Topic

Description

Working in the Viewer

Opening Your Project File, Preparing the Project, Viewing Clips, Marking Clips, and Viewing Edit Points

Making Edits

Preparing the Project, Working with Sequences, Marking Overwrite Edits, Backing Up Sequences, and Inserting Clips, and Adding Music

Editing to the Timeline

Preparing the Project, Manipulating Clips in the Timeline, Drag-and-Drop Editing Basics, and Dragging to the Timeline

Other Editing Options

Preparing the Project, Building a Sound Track, Marking in the Timeline, Replacing Edits, Deleting Clips and Gaps, and Storyboard Editing

Trimming an Edit Point

Preparing the Project, Trimming, Dragging Edit Points, Rippling Edits, Extending an Edit, and Trimming in the Viewer

Fine-Tuning Edit Points

Preparing the Project, Trimming Two Edit Points, Slipping Clip Content, Rolling Edit Points, Sliding Clips, and Dragging to Reposition a Clip

Customising Your Project

Preparing the Project, Organising Browser Information, Saving and Recalling Window Layouts, Using Button Bars, Working with Master Clips, Working with Subclips, and Working with Markers

Capturing Digital Video

Preparing the Project, Connecting Sources for Capture, Previewing and Marking Your Source, Logging Clips, Capturing Options, Choosing Preferences and System Settings, Transferring AVCHD footage