The only Apple-certified guide to Final Cut Express 4, this book delivers the techniques you need to make movie magic with DV, HDV, or AVCHD footage. Each chapter presents a complete lesson in an aspect of video editing and finishing, with hands-on projects to complete as you go. All the files you need are on the included DVD-ROM. You’ll learn how to make effective edits and adjust them precisely; create polished transitions and sophisticated composites; add audio tracks, titles, and speed and motion effects; then color-correct and finish your video for export to DVD or the Web. Whether you’re a student, a devoted amateur who’s serious about digital video, or a professional who needs a comprehensive editing program, you’ll find everything you need to learn Final Cut Express 4 within the pages of this book. DVD-ROM includes lesson and media files for over 20 hours of training.
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
Great Book for a Great Program, September 30, 2008
By
Gary WoodsDiana Weynand has created a wonderful course that takes you from the very basics of moving files around on your Mac to creating very polished complete videos. I'm on my second reading and I plan to go back for a third look because there's just so much information transmitted. If you want to start making your own home videos you should definitely pick up this book.
The author knows how to teach., September 20, 2008
By
Michael G. Turner (Greensboro, North Carolina)
I read a lot of software manuals, and I'm very picky. Many authors seem to know their subject, but not necessarily how to transmit their knowledge to neophytes. Diana Weynand is first-rate at understanding the mindset of the beginner, and at leading the student by the hand in a way that makes the material seem self-evident. She'll sometimes direct you to do something not-quite-correctly, so that she can then point to the error and say, in effect, "See what happens when you do that?" The exercises she presents in each chapter are superb. I learned the program thoroughly.
It worked for me . . ., September 8, 2008
By
Kernel Lucky (Dallas, TX USA)
It takes some time to go through the exercises but I'm up and going now editing my own films. A typical guy, I hate reading directions but sometimes it is necessary. What negative feelings I have about this product are due to the fact I hate the necessary learning curve in learning a "substantial" software product. If only the old iMovie HD product had added an extra video track and kept its wonderful characteristics. I would be happy as a clam. It seems to me that FCE is like Photoshop in that one can accomplish the same task in a number of different ways. Learning all these options takes time. No way around it. Also, like photoshop, one can get competent on FCE without using ALL it offers. Anyway, this manual does explain things well although laboriously. As I start editing my own movies I find the manual very helpful when I forget something. I can go back and reread the chapter I need and move on. I have accepted that only time and repetition will make me competent on FCE and that, at some point, I will love this software. But, at this point I need a how to manual to get started. This training product did what it promised and will be near my computer in the near future as I edit my movies and need to refresh my knowledge base.
Great so far, September 2, 2008
By
David Hartman (Laguna Hills, CA USA)
I ordered this for my wife to edit our home movies and she seems to like it. The new version of iMovie in the MAC iLife suite was a little stripped down, so we were looking for something that would have plenty of features, but not be too time consuming to learn to use. Final Cut Express seems to have done the trick.
Great layout and intro to FCE, August 21, 2008
By
J. Patrick Greer (Greenville,SC)
This book has been very helpful as I have embarked into the field of video editing.
