Anyone using or wanting to use Final Cut Pro 4.0 should seriously consider investing in Magnet Media's tutorial series Inside Final Cut Pro. The DVD is packed with live video demonstrating step-by-step the basic operations, interface navigation and advanced techniques you'll want to use whether you are a hobbyist or professional videographer. I found the samples to be pertinent and the instruction straight forward.

The Video begins with an overview of the interface. Despite the fact that I've used FCP 1.25 through 3.0, I found new insights into how to better utilize FCP and its core features with this section. The lessons are taught by Evan Schectman, a professional editor and the founder of Outpost Digital, and I found him to be warm and without the arrogance and elitism of many editor/teachers. I understoood most lessons the first time through. Others, such as the concept of "nesting" and the Pro-audio features I have watched a few times through. Again, this is another benefit of this type of learning. You never have to reread anything. You simply replay the lesson as often as you need to. The learning feedback is simple and painless.

One tip-despite the fact that the DVD only runs on a Mac with a dvd drive-the files on the DVD are readable on a PC equiped with a DVD drive and quicktime (although trying to figure out which files are which can be a challenge) - I used this methed often to following along with Evan when things got complicated - worked like a charm.

Some other features covered are color-correction (fantastic overview with practical applications) compositing and animation, for those that wish to stay exclusively in FCP with out straying to the likes of After Effects or Combustion - Introductions to Soundtrack and Livetype, both new applications within the FCP 4.0 suite.

Overall I was impressed and thoughly pleased with my experience with Magent Media's Training. What better way to familiarize yourself with the new features of FCP than wathcing a professional dig in and get their hands dirty. And for those new to Final Cut Pro, there is no easier way to hit the ground running with this very deep and powerful application.

I believe this is the future of self-education in the video editing realm. Books can be cumbersome and time consuming. With Magnet Medias Inside Final Cut Pro, you have an all-in-one instructor on a disc you can pull out for a refresher anytime you wish. And you never have to leave your house to get it!

-Craig

Available for purchase in the lafcpug Store