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January 20, 2025

Just as AI is disrupting our industry today, Final Cut did the same for film and television editing 27 years ago. Designed by Randy Ubillos, it was initially called "Key Grip" and developed by Macromedia. Apple acquired the software and released it as Final Cut in 1998.


The current version of Final Cut Pro, developed to support the soon-to-be-announced 64-bit Mac operating system, was released in 2011. Over the next 14 years, Apple released more than 50 upgrades. Final Cut remains the performance leader for digital video editing, along with providing the greatest variety of effects from a wide variety of third-party developers.


These two short videos highlight two effects you may have forgotten.


Link: Create and Format 3D Text in Apple Final Cut Pro 11


Link: Create Striking Visuals Using Blend Modes in Final Cut Pro 11


THIS WEEK'S TOP NEWS


Discover the latest industry news on my home page


CREATIVE COW CONVERSATION


Creative Cow and I are working together to provide additional resources to our readers. Here’s an interesting thread where a reader can’t open old FCP libraries. (Sign up for the Cow newsletter here.)

December 2024

I'm featuring two Final Cut Pro effects webinars this week. One on effects and the other color tools. Both are offered at a special discount.


Link: Visual Effects in Apple Final Cut Pro 11


Link: Color Tools in Final Cut Pro


To continue exploring FCP, here are six tutorials that I think every Final Cut editor should read.


Link: Three Ways to Organize a Final Cut Pro Timeline


Link: Two VERY FAST Ways to Move Media Into or Out of an FCP Library


Link: Why You Can’t Import a Section of a Video Clip for Editing


Link: Saturation vs. Vibrance. What’s the Difference for Video?


Link: Survey Says: What Media Plugins Are You Using?


Link: Backup Basics for Final Cut Pro, or any NLE [v]


Find more than 1,250 Final Cut Pro tutorials on my website. To see what's available, click here, then choose Final Cut Pro inside the top Applications menu.


One of the subjects that puzzles all of us is how to get the best performance from our systems. Especially because Apple does not allow upgrading our gear after we buy it. Next week, I'll spend an entire issue looking at performance and, more importantly, how much speed we really need.


Until next Monday, stay safe, stay hopeful and edit well.

TUTORIALS & REVIEWS

» Create and Format 3D Text in Final Cut Pro (Tutorial)

  » ANY text can be 3D. Here's what you need to know.


» Create Striking Visuals Using Blend Modes in FCP (Tutorial)

  » How to use blend modes to fix or enhance images, or create a surreal effect.


» Three Ways to Organize a Final Cut Pro Timeline (Tutorial)

  » A new features helps to get large projects under control.


» Two VERY FAST Ways to Move Media Into or Out of an FCP Library (Tutorial)

  » What to do if you store media in the wrong place.


» Why You Can’t Import a Section of a Video Clip for Editing (Tutorial)

  » Importing a clip doesn't actually import a clip. Weird but true.


» Saturation vs. Vibrance. What’s the Difference for Video? (Tutorial)

  » When in doubt, vibrance is better.


» Survey Says: What Media Plugins Are You Using? (Tutorial)

  » Here's what's popular among practicing video editors.


» Backup Basics for Final Cut Pro, or any NLE (Tutorial)

  » Backups keep you safe. Here's what you need to know.

Buy Now!

Visual Effects in Final Cut Pro 11


  • Text effects
  • Generators
  • Speed changes
  • Inspector effects and keyframing
  • Chroma-key
  • Magnetic mask
  • Effects browser effects
  • Key 3rd-party effects


More than 55 demos! SAVE 25%


Everything you need - all in one place.

Buy Now!

Color Tools in Final Cut Pro


Final Cut recently added new color effects to its powerful tool set. This webinar illustrates all the major tools.


  • How to read video scopes
  • The Color Board & Color Wheels
  • How to make quick color fixes
  • How to accurately set skin tones
  • How to find, create and use LUTs
  • And much more.


NOW - SAVE 25%!


Everything you need - all in one place.

TOP 4 TITLES LAST WEEK

ARTICLES


» Insiders Speak: The Impact of AI


» Configure an M4 Mac for Video Editing


» Larry Reflects on 2024 and 2025


» Storage Predictions for 2025


» View all Larry's tutorials here.

WEBINARS


» 377: Visual Effects in FCP 11


» Video Training Library membership


» 370: Get Started with Resolve


» Basics of Editing with Premiere


» See all of Larry's webinar titles here.