Final Cut Pro is the much-discussed new digital editing software from Apple which is shaking up the low-budget filmmaking world and putting fear in the hearts of the makers of the much-more-expensive AVID software.
I bought a Final Cut Pro system from Promax in August and have used it to cut three short projects. I'm very happy with the system. To give you a better sense of how it's worked for me, here are a few of its features and foibles.
Features
Cost Effective
I had an educational video gig with an editing budget of $2000. I decided to combine that budget with my own fees for the project and buy a Final Cut Pro system from Promax for $5000. I'm thrilled with the decision -- I'm now able to complete projects which would have cost me thousands to edit elsewhere.
There are cheaper digital editing solutions -- the main one being Adobe Premiere. But it would have cost me several thousand dollars to upgrade my exisiting computer with Adobe Premiere -- it seemed smarter to cough up the extra money and invest in newer technology.
Great for MiniDV
Final Cut Pro was designed with FireWire and MiniDV in mind. As a result, it's extremely easy to plug in DV camcorders or decks, input, edit, and output material. However, dealing with analog material or projects which will finish on film is a little more complicated... See my FilmHelp Diary "Film on Final Cut Pro" for more details.
Quick to learn
I bought my FCP system two weeks before I had to deliver a 20 minute educational video to a client. I was editing competently within two days of setting up the system and delivered the program on time and to great reviews.
Great support
The FCP manual doesn't provide very detailed help and calling Apple itself isn't much better. But there are excellent online resources where users can post questions and get answers, usually within a couple of hours. In particular, 2-pop.com is an excellent source of information and help.
Some effects included
Final Cut Pro software includes a set of transitions and effects -- many of which are extremely cheesy but which can come in handy for certain projects. I used some goofy wipes and whatnot for my infomercial spoof "Asian Pride Porn."
Viable for longer projects
Apparently, Adobe Premiere limits the length of sequences, which makes it difficult to use for longer projects. Final Cut Pro has no such limits (as long as your hard drives are big enough to accomodate the media) which makes it more friendly for feature editing.
Foibles
Problems with importing Photoshop files
When I import Photoshop files to use as title cards, I find that FCP shifts the images over slightly -- things that are centered in the original Photoshop file end up off center in FCP. Also, I notice a slight color shift when I overlay titles I made in Photoshop over video images. I know there are solutions for this, but I haven't figured them out yet. I'll let you know when I do (or email me if you know the solution yourself!).
Problems with red in titles
This isn't a problem unique to FCP -- as I understand it, it applies to all DV editing systems. Apparently, red images in DV titles tend to blur and distort in an unattractive way. This doesn't apply to red images shot on DV -- just to red images in Photoshop files or computer generated titles. There is no perfect solution for this yet, as far as I know. I've discovered that pure red blurs a great deal, maroon blurs much less, and pink seems all right.
Analog complications
Right now my system is perfectly set up to input and output DV material through FireWire. But if I want to input analog video -- say, BetaSP -- I'll have to buy an analog video card and install it into the computer. Extra expense.
Questions about finishing on film
I'm planning to edit my new 16mm documentary "Brother Killer Wolf" on Final Cut Pro, but I'm still working out the configuration details. To follow my adventures, visit my FilmHelp Diary "Film on Final Cut Pro."