Final Cut Pro and Editing Seminars @ Canon
Author: Bryan Tanori
Recently, I taught two classes at Canon in Burbank, California to a room of high school and college students. These classes were part of a series of classes I have been developing with Canon over the past year for people interested in learning about video editing and how to use the Final Cut Pro. Though I find myself using DaVinci Resolve more (Certified Trainer in the Editing portion of the program), and Premiere when needed, I am an Apple Certified Trainer and I personally prefer Final Cut Pro in our post house because of its ease of use and functionality for what we need. Although these classes at Canon are not classes where you can get certified as a user or trainer, these classes are a great opportunity not only to learn about the program, but how to dig in to the program and open your eyes on how it can really work for you in your shop.
One of the questions I still get in the seminars is: “Is Final Cut a professional editing system?” My answer is, “Of course it is! Myself as well as many others make a living off of it and our clients are ecstatic about the work we are doing!” So for me, there is no argument or wanting to tell someone to use one or the other. The way I see it is that, use what works best for you and enables you to get the job done for your clients. For my shop I use Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve 15/16 and then Premiere, in that order. With teaching, my main goal is to inspire a student to create and not let the tools get in the way of that.
I completely understand navigating through multiple editing systems and choosing the best system for your post-production needs can be a daunting task. I’ve been there and as I have grown in my career, it is always a challenge to continue to learn new programs. But I like to learn new things and challenge myself, so it isn’t that tough for me. I do realize everyone is different though, so again, this can be a challenging task to continually take on. The way we approach it here in our shop is that every production is a unique entity built off of the creative design of our team and inevitably the client. Utilizing the right tools that will enable us to deliver each project with quality, consistency and quickness not only allows us to focus on the creative aspects of the job, but it is essential in getting the job done on time and within budget.
So for the recent classes, I taught a very comprehensive lesson, but I focused in on a few topics that I felt were most important for the students. Here are some of the main takeaways that I think one starting out or even intermediate level should know about how to use Final Cut Pro.
1. Use Workflows
This isn’t the portion of the class that causes any excitement, yet before you get to the explosions, you need to have a fuse. My general approach for new students is that I want one to change the way they It all starts from the beginning by offloading your footage properly by using checksum apps like Shot Put Pro or Silverstack. From there we build the media pipeline, organize it, and work with it within you system. One of the key takeaways from this portion of the class is that I help one to understand the different forms of metadata (Camera, User, and Final Cut) and how to build it properly from the beginning to use it effectively in your edit session. All in all, the workflows techniques I cover in the class enable one to see keep things organized and allow you to work quicker.
2. Explore the Editing Tools
There are multiple aspects of editing with Final Cut Pro. One truly needs to think different with their edit approach, yet, the tools are the same in that one edits with through the same edit processes (Ripple, roll, slip, slide). What I mainly cover in these lectures is how to properly navigate through the magnetic timeline and take away the stigma that users are usually turned off by with Final Cut Pro. A big part of the class is that I explore and allow students to see how all of the different tools work in a way that would be similar to Premiere, AVID, or Resolve. Again a big portion of the class is that I want to try and make sure that you know what the tools do, at the same time, allow you to choose your favorites along with the hot keys.
3. Work Within the Primary Storyline
I mentioned the Primary Storyline above and how mast new users to Final Cut Pro are turned off by it or simply do not know how to work with it properly. I have seen several different methods from new students on how they approach using the Primary Storylines, which could work, yet I helped to focus on proper ways to use it along with helping one navigate and build their edits properly. It is easy to get lost in the small details and forget the bigger story that those details need to create. What I strive for in the class is to help the user maintain consistency throughout their projects to successfully build and deliver an edit for final delivery.
4. Stay Organized and Building Edits with the Event Browser
This process takes some time to explain to everyone at the classes. It’s one that I like to focus on though because again, this method has enabled me to think differently in terms of not only organizing my footage, but also pulling selects and the clips I want to use in my cuts at the same time. What I like to cover is that the days of where I use to build multiple sequences to “string out” footage a pull my selects are long gone. I show students how they can all accomplish this in one window. Again, the importance here is that one comes out of the class with a strong understanding of how to effectively use the event browser and how it will help you edit more efficiently.
Why You Should Consider a Final Cut Pro Class at Canon
All in all, if I would have had more sponsored opportunities to learn from pros at the camera vendors when I was in college this would have benefited me tremendously. For me, I remember working at POP in the client services department and one of the only opportunities I had to learn was at 1AM when no-one was on any of the AVID machines! This was also after an 8 hour shift of serving food and coffee! I sure could make a great espresso though!
So if you are in the Southern California area, I highly recommend that you consider taking one of the upcoming Final Cut Pro courses offered by Canon. As an instructor, and also a student who takes certification courses, there are some advantages to taking in-person classes like this rather than trying to learn the software on your own through video and written tutorials.
As an Apple Certified Trainer and professional editor, I’ve spent a lot of time learning the software and the best ways to teach others how to use it. Taking online courses and watching how to video editing is great for learning basic skills and to find the answer to a question, but in-person classes allow you to make the training more personalized to you. You can ask questions specific to your own projects and get one-on-one help, I always stick around and answer as many questions as I can. The classes also provide an opportunity to network with Canon representatives, other students and professionals, which is especially important if you are starting your career.
Arguably, the best aspect of the class is that Canon sponsors these classes it as part of their workshop series! Whether you’re a DP, Producer, Assistant Editor, student or a content creator looking to get the most out of your footage, all are welcome to learn invaluable information and get to be a part of the Canon community.
Looking to the future, Canon and I have big plans for these classes. This Fall we will be reaching out to more students and professionals. With the joint goal of creating a highly educated community of filmmakers and video editors, Canon and I are dedicated to expanding the scope and reach of these classes.
In addition to the Canon classes, I also offer more extensive Final Cut Pro and other video-related courses for advanced students as well.
Recently, I taught two classes at Canon in Burbank, California to a room of high school and college students. These classes were part of a series of classes I have been developing with Canon over the past year for people interested in learning about video editing and how to use the Final Cut Pro. Though I find myself using DaVinci Resolve more (Certified Trainer in the Editing portion of the program), and Premiere when needed, I am an Apple Certified Trainer and I personally prefer Final Cut Pro in our post house because of its ease of use and functionality for what we need. Although these classes at Canon are not classes where you can get certified as a user or trainer, these classes are a great opportunity not only to learn about the program, but how to dig in to the program and open your eyes on how it can really work for you in your shop.
One of the questions I still get in the seminars is: “Is Final Cut a professional editing system?” My answer is, “Of course it is! Myself as well as many others make a living off of it and our clients are ecstatic about the work we are doing!” So for me, there is no argument or wanting to tell someone to use one or the other. The way I see it is that, use what works best for you and enables you to get the job done for your clients. For my shop I use Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve 15/16 and then Premiere, in that order. With teaching, my main goal is to inspire a student to create and not let the tools get in the way of that.
I completely understand navigating through multiple editing systems and choosing the best system for your post-production needs can be a daunting task. I’ve been there and as I have grown in my career, it is always a challenge to continue to learn new programs. But I like to learn new things and challenge myself, so it isn’t that tough for me. I do realize everyone is different though, so again, this can be a challenging task to continually take on. The way we approach it here in our shop is that every production is a unique entity built off of the creative design of our team and inevitably the client. Utilizing the right tools that will enable us to deliver each project with quality, consistency and quickness not only allows us to focus on the creative aspects of the job, but it is essential in getting the job done on time and within budget.
So for the recent classes, I taught a very comprehensive lesson, but I focused in on a few topics that I felt were most important for the students. Here are some of the main takeaways that I think one starting out or even intermediate level should know about how to use Final Cut Pro.
1. Use Workflows
This isn’t the portion of the class that causes any excitement, yet before you get to the explosions, you need to have a fuse. My general approach for new students is that I want one to change the way they It all starts from the beginning by offloading your footage properly by using checksum apps like Shot Put Pro or Silverstack. From there we build the media pipeline, organize it, and work with it within you system. One of the key takeaways from this portion of the class is that I help one to understand the different forms of metadata (Camera, User, and Final Cut) and how to build it properly from the beginning to use it effectively in your edit session. All in all, the workflows techniques I cover in the class enable one to see keep things organized and allow you to work quicker.
2. Explore the Editing Tools
There are multiple aspects of editing with Final Cut Pro. One truly needs to think different with their edit approach, yet, the tools are the same in that one edits with through the same edit processes (Ripple, roll, slip, slide). What I mainly cover in these lectures is how to properly navigate through the magnetic timeline and take away the stigma that users are usually turned off by with Final Cut Pro. A big part of the class is that I explore and allow students to see how all of the different tools work in a way that would be similar to Premiere, AVID, or Resolve. Again a big portion of the class is that I want to try and make sure that you know what the tools do, at the same time, allow you to choose your favorites along with the hot keys.
3. Work Within the Primary Storyline
I mentioned the Primary Storyline above and how mast new users to Final Cut Pro are turned off by it or simply do not know how to work with it properly. I have seen several different methods from new students on how they approach using the Primary Storylines, which could work, yet I helped to focus on proper ways to use it along with helping one navigate and build their edits properly. It is easy to get lost in the small details and forget the bigger story that those details need to create. What I strive for in the class is to help the user maintain consistency throughout their projects to successfully build and deliver an edit for final delivery.
4. Stay Organized and Building Edits with the Event Browser
This process takes some time to explain to everyone at the classes. It’s one that I like to focus on though because again, this method has enabled me to think differently in terms of not only organizing my footage, but also pulling selects and the clips I want to use in my cuts at the same time. What I like to cover is that the days of where I use to build multiple sequences to “string out” footage a pull my selects are long gone. I show students how they can all accomplish this in one window. Again, the importance here is that one comes out of the class with a strong understanding of how to effectively use the event browser and how it will help you edit more efficiently.
Why You Should Consider a Final Cut Pro Class at Canon
All in all, if I would have had more sponsored opportunities to learn from pros at the camera vendors when I was in college this would have benefited me tremendously. For me, I remember working at POP in the client services department and one of the only opportunities I had to learn was at 1AM when no-one was on any of the AVID machines! This was also after an 8 hour shift of serving food and coffee! I sure could make a great espresso though!
So if you are in the Southern California area, I highly recommend that you consider taking one of the upcoming Final Cut Pro courses offered by Canon. As an instructor, and also a student who takes certification courses, there are some advantages to taking in-person classes like this rather than trying to learn the software on your own through video and written tutorials.
As an Apple Certified Trainer and professional editor, I’ve spent a lot of time learning the software and the best ways to teach others how to use it. Taking online courses and watching how to video editing is great for learning basic skills and to find the answer to a question, but in-person classes allow you to make the training more personalized to you. You can ask questions specific to your own projects and get one-on-one help, I always stick around and answer as many questions as I can. The classes also provide an opportunity to network with Canon representatives, other students and professionals, which is especially important if you are starting your career.
Arguably, the best aspect of the class is that Canon sponsors these classes it as part of their workshop series! Whether you’re a DP, Producer, Assistant Editor, student or a content creator looking to get the most out of your footage, all are welcome to learn invaluable information and get to be a part of the Canon community.
Looking to the future, Canon and I have big plans for these classes. This Fall we will be reaching out to more students and professionals. With the joint goal of creating a highly educated community of filmmakers and video editors, Canon and I are dedicated to expanding the scope and reach of these classes.
In addition to the Canon classes, I also offer more extensive Final Cut Pro and other video-related courses for advanced students as well.