Final Cut Pro Glossary
When you trim a clip using a click and drag in the timeline, you are preforming a ripple edit. This is done with the default Select tool and without a keyboard shortcut because ripple is the default trim type.
0:00 • Ripple the default trim type
0:59 • Trim the start of that clip
1:27 • Avoid ripple with the Position tool
Utilize the Multicam feature included with Final Cut Pro to view and edit multiple camera angles.
0:00 • Multicam vs Multiple Cameras
1:07 • Identify a Multicam Clip
1:27 • Show and use the Angle Viewer
2:54 • Cut between angles
4:07 • How to create a Multicam clip
5:10 • Choose a method to sync the clips
6:38 • Open Multicam clip
7:50 • Things to consider when recording
8:55 • Use the Inspector to label clips
10:00 • Summary
10:45 • A note about proxy media
Use a dedicated input device, like the ones listed below, to speed up editing with multicam clips. In addition to controlling playback, assign physical buttons to preform commands that switch or cut between video and audio angles or each individually.
Final Cut Pro Glossary
In a project, move a clips in and out points without adjusting the duration or position of that clip using a Slip Edit.With the Trim tool (T) active, click and drag a clip to perform a slip edit. Watch this video for a more detailed explanation and leave a comment below with any questions.
0:42 • Media Handles
1:15 • Create Media Handles By Selecting a Range
2:15 • Preform a Slip Edit
3:03 • Shortcuts
3:30 • Disable Clip Connections During a Slip Edit
Final Cut Pro Glossary
Use an overwrite edit to replace clips in a project with the browser selection. It is important to understand that an Overwrite Edit does not move existing clips. The overwrite is replacing the existing clips with the new clip.
0:30 • Understanding an Overwrite
1:10 • Overwrite Secondary Storylines and Connected Clips
1:33 • Removing Gap Clips with Overwrite and Timeline Index
Overwrite is one of the four buttons located on the right side of the toolbar. The buttons are located to the right of the Index button used to access the Timeline Index.
From left to right the first button (Q) connects a clip to the primary storyline. The second button is insert (W), which looks at the playhead location and inserts the selected clip in the primary storyline at the playhead location. If there is already video on the timeline, the new clip will split it and push the clip down making room for the incoming clip. The third button is append (E) which adds the selection to the end of the primary storyline. The fourth button is overwrite (D) and described in the video above.
One of the seven tools accessible from the Tools pop-up menu at the top left of the timeline, the Hand tool enables click and drag scrolling in the timeline and viewer. Enable the Hand tool by selecting it from the Tools pop-up menu or press the H key on the keyboard.
0:28 • Scrolling Timeline
0:48 • Temporarily Activate Hand Tool
1:04 • Hand Tool in the Viewer
Move closer or further away with the Zoom tool.
0:53 • Using the Hand Tool (H) in the Timeline
2:43 • Using the Zoom Tool (Z) in the Timeline and Viewer
5:10 • Work smarter by temporarily activating a tool
All of the Final Cut Pro tools can be temporarily activated by holding the shortcut key, then release the key. For the Hand tool hold the H key and Z for Zoom on the keyboard. The tool that was active before using the Hand or Zoom tool is activated when the key is released.
Final Cut Pro Glossary
A graphic commonly displayed near the bottom of the frame is a lower third. Create a lower third using templates that are included with Final Cut by going to the Titles and Generators sidebar.
Understanding the types of graphics used in video production is overwhelming. Most editing apps, including Final Cut Pro, have built-in tools to create graphics called templates. A dedicated motion graphics app is commonly used to build the templates. Motion, an app developed by Apple, is used to design templates for Final Cut Pro.
Final Cut Pro templates usually fit into one of these four types: Title, Generator, Transition, or Effect. Most, but not all, graphics that include text are Titles. Each Final Cut Pro Title is assigned a category such as Lower Third. To better understand what a Lower Third looks like, locate the Lower Third Title category. There are also many developers creating new graphic templates for editors to incorporate into their videos. motionVFX is one company that has developed many templates, including Lower Thirds, that you can use with Final Cut Pro and Motion. In addition to the built-in titles, take a look at these examples of a Horizontal Lower Third and compared it to a Vertical Lower Third.
0:15 • Add a Lower Third
1:07 • Customize a Lower Third with Motion
Access additional controls used to create advanced edits using the Trim tool.
0:50 • Move an edit point
3:00 • Adjusting start and end points of a clip
5:10 • Temporarily activate the Trim tool
All of the Final Cut Pro tools can be temporarily activated by holding the shortcut key, using the tool, then release the key. For the Trim tool hold the T key on the keyboard. The tool that was active before using the Trim tool is activated when the T key is released.
Many of you have sent messages asking what equipment I use and recommend to create content. The following is a list of the products and services I use on a regular basis or have used in the past and find valuable. The following may be affiliate links. As a participant in affiliate networks, I earn from qualifying purchases. Contact me if you have issues with any of the links or have questions.
Video Editing and Additional Software
The app I primarily used for editing video is Final Cut Pro. It is available of the Apple App Store for macOS. Apple also makes an additional app called Motion which allows me to create custom titles, transitions, and other special effects. For stock footage to practice editing I use projects from EditStock.com. The list of additional apps and services is too long to list but a few are MotionVFX (templates and plug-ins), ScreenFlow (screen capture for tutorials), LATER (social media), Streamlabs (live streaming to YouTube), and QuickBooks (accounting).
Training
Of course I recommend watching the @FinalCutProHelp YouTube channel and following our blog for additional training. @FinalCutProHelp is also on other sites like Instagram and Facebook. During my early years editing with Final Cut Pro the Apple Pro Training series of books was one of the most useful and they cover Final Cut Pro X.
Cameras
I use a few different cameras to capture video and occasionally live stream. A few of the devices I use to capture video, in no particular order, are the iPhone, GoPro Session, insta360, Canon DSLR, and DJI Mavic.
Lighting
Lighting makes all the difference. One of the worst experiences is having an amazing performance from an actress but the shot is unusable because the lighting was neglected. For direct to camera I recommend trying a ring light and I do use this one from Westcott.
Computers
Final Cut Pro requires macOS. Macs have been my primary computer of choice and what I recommend everyone edit with. Your situation may require a portable computer and I recommend a MacBook Pro for this. My primary Mac at this time is an iMac that sits on a converted standing desk. To help accelerate task I use an eGPU Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box with a Radeon RX Vega 56 and an external monitor. I also occasionally use an iPad Pro for an external monitor and input device. For fast external storage I use an SSD from G-Tech. Time Machine, software included with macOS, is what I use to create backups to various external drives include this one from Western Digital, and this one from Seagate. SD and Micro SD cards from SanDisk for camera storage have worked well for me. I have an older LaCie RAID that used to be my primary storage but is now an additional backup. I’m sure I left a few things out so please leave a comment with any questions.
Microphones
When recording a tutorial or live streaming I use this Blue Yeti USB Mic. To reduce explosive sounds a pop filter is attached to the mic stand.
Save time by using the Range Selection tool to select a portion of a clip. Press the R key to activate the Range Selection tool. Jump to the range start using the shortcut Shift-I or to the end using Shift-O.
1:34 • Using the Range Selection Tool
2:45 • Mixing Audio
3:20 • Video Animation Editor
4:02 • Exporting (Sharing) a selected range
All of the Final Cut Pro tools can be temporarily activated by holding the shortcut key, using the tool, then release the key. For the Range Selection tool hold the R key on the keyboard. The tool that was active before using the Range Selection tool is activated when the R key is released.
Use the Blade tool to create a cut in a clip.
0:00 • Where the Blade tool name come from?
0:45 • Activate Blade tool and make cuts
1:30 • Use keyboard to activate Blade
2:25 • Blade All to cut multiple clips at once
All of the Final Cut Pro tools can be temporarily activated by holding the shortcut key, then release the key. For the Blade tool hold the B key on the keyboard. The tool that was active before using the Blade tool is activated when the B key is released.
