Start Editing Like a Pro with Final Cut Pro: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding the Basics

Learn Final Cut Pro, the professional video editing software developed by Apple and make video editing a breeze! This comprehensive course provides an overview of the fundamentals so you’ll be editing with Final Cut Pro in no time. Structured into 10 chapters, Jared takes the learner step-by-step through the process with topics such as basic editing, transitions, titles, effects, color correction and how to share projects when finished. Click a category below to learn today and start making beautiful videos with ease using Final Cut Pro!

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COURSE OVERVIEW

How Free Stock Footage Can Take Your Videos to the Next Level

Video editing is an increasingly popular way to express creativity, sharpen your technical skills, and create stunning visuals. Final Cut Pro has become one of the most popular tools for video editors, allowing them to unleash their imagination with a wide range of advanced tools. But even with Apples legendary history of creating intuitive to…

Get Started with Final Cut Pro: Versions of Final Cut and macOS used in this course

Final Cut Pro is a powerful video editing software for macOS users, and there are several versions available for free. In this course, we will discuss how to use Final Cut Pro while demoing with version 10.4.5 and macOS Mojave version 10.14.3. As you will see, with Final Cut Pro’s easy-to-use features and intuitive user…

Unlocking the Power of Final Cut Pro: A Step-By-Step Video Tutorial for Editing Videos from Install to YouTube

Are you looking for a comprehensive guide to Final Cut Pro X? Look no further! This step-by-step video tutorial will help you get up and running with Final Cut Pro quickly, from purchasing the software to sharing your final product. Whether you are transitioning from iMovie, Adobe Premiere, Avid Media Composer, or new to editing,…

SETTING UP A WORKSTATION

Select a Computer

Watch this video for tips about getting a compatible computer for editing video with Final Cut Pro. 0:00 • What you need to get started1:48 • Configuring a portable (laptop)9:45 • Configuring a desktop17:50 • Comparing the portable to the desktop21:40 • Where to go to get more information and buy25:50 • Steps to take before…

Watch Tutorial Select a Computer

Setting Up a Mac

https://youtu.be/8Guw1PdPW-c Setting up a new Mac 0:00 • Set Up Assistant0:32 • Steps for erasing a Mac1:01 • Backups are important1:25 • The steps to follow2:02 • Getting additional help

Watch Tutorial Setting Up a Mac

macOS Tour

https://youtu.be/uUqKNc9n4hI Watch this video for an overview of macOS, the computer operating system that supports Final Cut Pro. 0:00 • macOS Overview0:48 • Menu Bar3:35 • Dock8:40 • Navigating Macintosh HD using the Finder11:30 • Applications Folder12:28 • Users Folder (Home Folders)14:05 • Library and System Folders16:30 • Application and System Preferences

Watch Tutorial macOS Tour

Purchasing Final Cut

https://youtu.be/8JqrKca5wXI This video explains how to install Final Cut Pro X on a Mac 0:00 • Final Cut Pro on Apple.com1:50 • Tech Specs2:29 • Free Final Cut Pro Trial3:39 • Buy Final Cut Pro using education bundle and discounted gift cards7:49 • Use the Mac App Store to buy and install Final Cut Pro8:30 •…

Watch Tutorial Purchasing Final Cut

Launching Final Cut Pro for the First Time

https://youtu.be/zoI68z8LOog This video takes the steps to open Final Cut Pro for the first time 0:00 • Add Final Cut to the Dock1:03 • Launch Final Cut2:50 • What’s New Follow along with the same media used in this course. Go to EditStock.com and use coupon code FCPHELP www.editstock.com/discount/FCPHELP

Watch Tutorial Launching Final Cut Pro for the First Time

Reinstalling FCPX

https://youtu.be/zt-6_VwT1Lw How to reinstall Final Cut Pro X using the Mac App Store 0:00 • Mac App Store0:34 • Accessing Family Purchases Follow along with the same media used in this course. Go to EditStock.com and use coupon code FCPHELP www.editstock.com/discount/FCPHELP

Watch Tutorial Reinstalling FCPX

Final Cut Interface Tour

https://youtu.be/yiATg85LuFI Start to get familiar with Final Cut Pro by taking this tour of the interface 0:00 • Default Final Cut Pro Interface1:20 • Browser – Viewer – Inspector – Timeline2:02 • Toolbars2:45 • Multiple Monitors Follow along with the same media used in this course. Go to EditStock.com and use coupon code FCPHELP www.editstock.com/discount/FCPHELP

Watch Tutorial Final Cut Interface Tour

How Final Cut Pro Interacts with Files

https://youtu.be/2nKJG9MK7ao Have you asked where does Final Cut Pro store media? You may not have thought about it but knowing how Final Cut links clips in Final Cut to the files stored outside is important. This video provides an introduction to that topic. 0:00 • Why it helps to understand how Final Cut connects to…

Watch Tutorial How Final Cut Pro Interacts with Files

Create a Backup Plan

https://youtu.be/gaHJ-bTJ_ps Create a backup plan and verify data is backed up 0:00 • Why you need to create a backup plan1:20 • What Final Cut Pro does automatically2:20 • Time Machine3:45 • Create a backup map7:40 • Offsite and Cloud Backups Follow along with the same media used in this course. Go to EditStock.com and use coupon…

Watch Tutorial Create a Backup Plan

Ram

Watch Tutorial Ram

ADDING ASSETS TO FINAL CUT PRO

Creating a Library

Some new editors are able to edit a video without understanding what a Library is. However, understanding what a Library is and how it fits into the Final Cut Pro workflow is going to help as you progress. This video provides an overview of what a Library is, how to create one, and the initial…

Watch Tutorial Creating a Library

Creating an Event

Every Final Cut Pro Library includes at least one event. When media including video, audio, and still images are imported into Final Cut, the source media files are stored in events. Events can contain a single project and one clip or thousands of various clips and projects. Behind the scenes the event links to media…

Watch Tutorial Creating an Event

Media Import Window

The Media Import window contains a source list and preview area. Select a source to browse the media on it. Make a selection of media to be imported into an event for editing. https://youtu.be/s_Mbq1FWzM0 0:00 • Overview of Media0:39 • Maximizing the window1:09 • Media Import window layout1:37 • Source list2:42 • Middle area to navigate…

Watch Tutorial Media Import Window

Understanding the Import Options

After selecting a source it is time to select which files to import. The Media Import window allows playback of many types of clips before import. Make a selection of clips and set additional options to control the import. https://youtu.be/Z44s-pb-Xuk 0:00 • Verify a source is selected1:07 • Select or create a new event2:02 •…

Watch Tutorial Understanding the Import Options

Final Cut Pro Preferences

https://youtu.be/KxUpVFDSPfE

Watch Tutorial Final Cut Pro Preferences

ORGANIZING CONTENT

Navigating the Browser

https://youtu.be/9IYMMzAkQQY

Watch Tutorial Navigating the Browser

Viewing Groups of Clips

https://youtu.be/Fh2McjaxdII

Watch Tutorial Viewing Groups of Clips

Organizing with Keywords

https://youtu.be/Qm25ZYtlMLg

Watch Tutorial Organizing with Keywords

Working with a Script & Other Tips

https://youtu.be/AZ-bUNILod4

Watch Tutorial Working with a Script & Other Tips

Marking Clips as Favorite or Rejected

https://youtu.be/89-OR9iM-Mo

Watch Tutorial Marking Clips as Favorite or Rejected

Using the Info Inspector to Add Metadata

https://youtu.be/18TYsVhMivQ

Watch Tutorial Using the Info Inspector to Add Metadata

Using Search & Creating Smart Collections

https://youtu.be/1PFRrDgcpcw

Watch Tutorial Using Search & Creating Smart Collections

BUILDING A PROJECT

Creating a Project

https://youtu.be/5p8PODNEF9A

Watch Tutorial Creating a Project

Building a Project with Clips

https://youtu.be/IPDvkepFv7c

Watch Tutorial Building a Project with Clips

Navigating the Timeline

https://youtu.be/WK342yHjGYs

Watch Tutorial Navigating the Timeline

Replacing Clips

https://youtu.be/V0E_18d_O40

Watch Tutorial Replacing Clips

Adding B-Roll

https://youtu.be/aUuTKOpsioc

Watch Tutorial Adding B-Roll

Add Music to the Project

https://youtu.be/udpkmjgBsU4

Watch Tutorial Add Music to the Project

Applying Transitions

https://youtu.be/1zFsZi-bDhE

Watch Tutorial Applying Transitions

Adding Captions

https://youtu.be/NqB_GiwJR6c

Watch Tutorial Adding Captions

ENHANCING A PROJECT

Auditioning Clips

https://youtu.be/dn5PICo3lls

Watch Tutorial Auditioning Clips

Using the Trim Tool

https://youtu.be/X8U6NUNr8c0

Watch Tutorial Using the Trim Tool

The Precision Editor

https://youtu.be/13FqUW-hDXw

Watch Tutorial The Precision Editor

Position Tool and Gap Clips

https://youtu.be/ILot63gt-ps

Watch Tutorial Position Tool and Gap Clips

Making Split Edits

https://youtu.be/8xXVDaokKfI

Watch Tutorial Making Split Edits

Mixing Audio

https://youtu.be/4CTP7PHbggg

Watch Tutorial Mixing Audio

ADDING EFFECTS

Video Effects

https://youtu.be/QMAZI6BddTI

Watch Tutorial Video Effects

Applying Audio Effects

https://youtu.be/JDXaTXjH5yE

Watch Tutorial Applying Audio Effects

Copy / Paste Effects & Attributes

https://youtu.be/xI1gvWB3HIc

Watch Tutorial Copy / Paste Effects & Attributes

COLOR CORRECTION

Quick Color Corrections

https://youtu.be/Ra2vm2S9lZ4

Watch Tutorial Quick Color Corrections

Color Inspector

https://youtu.be/Bzo0nN487co

Watch Tutorial Color Inspector

Global Color Correction

https://youtu.be/TnUNt4NIA6k

Watch Tutorial Global Color Correction

SHARING A PROJECT

Thank you for taking the time to watch this series! I believe in the power of knowledge and the importance of sharing it with others. Many have asked for a way to express their gratitude and support by making a donation. Your contribution will help me continue a mission of creating accessible and impactful training resources for people around the world. Whether it’s a small contribution or a larger gift, every dollar counts and brings me closer to our shared goal. Make a contribution below or to @FinalCutProHelp on a number of other platforms to show your support. Together, let’s make the world a more knowledgeable and empowered place! Thank you for considering a donation.

-Jared

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