How to Set Up Final Cut Pro Software

Series Summary

Final Cut Pro is a video editing software program developed by Apple and first released in 1998. By the early 2000s, its ease of use and compatibility with a variety of video formats made it popular with independent filmmakers as well as editors in Hollywood. Final Cut Pro was used on films ranging from small straightforward productions such as Napoleon Dynamite to action pictures such as JarHead to special effects extravaganzas such as Corpse Bride and 300. A less expensive version of the program, Final Cut Express, does not offer as many features, but continues be popular with amateur filmmakers.

In this free series of video editing software lessons, our professional film editor shares her quick and easy techniques for mastering Final Cut Pro. Shana Bethune demonstates how to set up the program, and then guides you step-by-step to becoming an advanced user. Learn how to master the video capture functions and how to manipulate timelines to set up sequences of images. Wondering how to do transitions, work with audio filters or edit multiple tracks? Watch these free clips and you will find out. Our expert even includes rendering tips and keyboard shortcuts. You will be able to edit like a pro in no time at all!

Video Transcript

"Hi! This is Shana Bethune on behalf of Expert Village and I am going to talk to you about getting set up for editing with Final Cut Pro. The first thing you have to do is make sure you have all the necessary equipment. You are going to need a deck or some sort of camcorder to capture footage with. You are also going to need an external hard drive unless you have a lot of room on your local hard drive. But chances are you are going to need one of these to store all the gigabytes and photos you are going to be capturing. Also make sure that you have all the necessary chords and wires. You will need a fire wire to connect to your deck or your camera and you are also going to need a fire wire or USB cable to connect to your hard drive. Once you have all of these things and they are connected to your computer, you are ready to start the project. To start a new project you have to open Final Cut Pro and if you don't already have a project started, it should automatically open in untitled project. If it opens in untitled project, go to file and save project as and give your project a title immediately and that way you won't lose it and will be able to find it later. If you open Final Cut Pro and there is already a project open, go to file and new project. Then also do the same thing; same project as, give it a title and make sure you save it some place where you are going to be able to find it later and now you have a project. "