How to Use the Option-1 Shortcut to Switch a Multicam Clip to Angle 1 in Final Cut Pro

Option-1 runs the Final Cut Pro command Switch to Viewer Angle 1. Final Cut Pro describes it as switching the multicam clip to angle 1 of the current bank. It changes the angle used by a multicam clip that's already in your timeline, without making a new cut.

Cut vs. Switch

When you're editing multicam, pressing 1 during playback cuts to angle 1 at the playhead, which adds a new edit point. Option-1 is different. It switches the selected multicam clip, or the section under the playhead, to angle 1 and leaves your existing edit points exactly where they are. It doesn't simply preview angle 1 in the Viewer.

How to Use It

Make a multicam clip and edit it into your project.
Make your first pass of cuts.
Select the section of the multicam clip that shows the wrong angle.
Press Option-1. That section switches to angle 1, and the cut points don't move.

Option-2, Option-3 and so on work the same way for the other angles in the current bank. Banks matter when your multicam clip has more angles than the Angle Viewer shows at once. The number refers to the position within the bank that's currently displayed.

When to Use It

Fixing a first pass: After cutting live, go back and swap any section that has the wrong camera.
Trying alternatives: See whether a wide shot or a close-up works better for a section without changing your timing.
Cleaning up: Quickly switch several short sections to your safe master angle.

Tips

Open the Angle Viewer so you can see which angle is which before you switch.
Whether the switch affects video, audio, or both depends on the switching mode set in the Angle Viewer.