February 10, 2010

What every AVID editor should know when learning FCP

I'm often asked by Avid editors what they should know when learning Final Cut Pro. Well, I believe both Avid and FCP are editing tools, very good ones at that. But there are some things to keep in mind. Here are just a few:

•1 – FCP is not an Avid. It's a tool that will get you to the same destination, completing your cut, but it may take a different route, and it may not be a route that's as familiar as Avid. But it's a powerful editing tool, just like Avid is.

•2 – When I train Avid editors, I typically find that there can be a steeper learning curve because experienced Avid editors have logged so many hours on Avid, they just feel so comfortable. It's automatic to them. But after a week or two using FCP on a show, they begin feeling comfortable on that as well. They even start to find functions that give them some advantage that Avid never had. Then if they go back to Avid, they miss those functions. So for some editors, it's really a case of knowing both tools well enough to not slow them down in the editing process. And that's really the goal. To not let the actual editing tool get between you and your creativity. And keep in mind it's just a tool and that there was a time when you felt just as green on Avid. So be patient with the learning process.

•3 – FCP wants to help you! It was designed with a broad range of users in mind. So it's got a few automatic "helping" functions to keep you on the right track. But if you don't know it's trying to help you in this way, you could get really frustrated. For example, where Avid allows you to work with independent sync tracks, FCP defaults to assuming video and audio tracks are always synced. You can change that and treat them independently. But if you don't know that's what FCP is doing, you know – trying to help you – you could get frustrated. FCP also has an extremely well designed method of saving captured files and backing up project files. But again, if you don't know FCP is doing that, and don't know where those files live, you won't appreciate FCP's helping hand.

•4 – Don't expect as much narrative or dramatic editing support. For example, FCP does not currently have the equivalent of Avid's ScriptSync. And you can't label individual tracks or color code tracks. You can color code clips in FCP, and sequence tabs, bins, etc. So FCP is moving in that direction, but those are a few functions an Avid editor might miss. FCP 7 took a big leap in adding functionality to markers, so that should please a lot of Avid editors.

In a way, learning a new editing application is a lot like learning to drive a new car. The car will get you to the same place, you just might find yourself fumble around a bit trying to find where the radio search button is. You will find it. And once you do, it will be as though you've always known where it was.