FCPUG:Final Cut Pro UserGroup
Ever since CreativeCow started with these very cool and very useful masterpieces I have been downloading them. They are full of so much practical advice and information; all so well presented. I mean where do these guys get the time and money to do this – they do not charge anything for it (yes I know, advertising, but even the advertising is relevant). It is my dream to attend a FCP SuperMeet, as is to attend NAB, and one day I will, one day I’ll tell the story of how I got there 
You can find out more and download the Magazine here.
Some of the interesting articles in the Magazine (well, that stood out for me):
- Apple’s FCP and the Art of Storytelling by Rodney Mitchell : There’s a secret to becoming a great creative editor. Do you know what it is? It is at the heart of what humans have done since the dawn of time. Now that I have you thinking, lets look back to see why we have a responsibility in the creative process to develop the secret that we all know exist.
- 20 Filmmaking Lessons/10 Director Tips by Anthony Artis & Pete Chatmon : These lessons carved out from our various experiences in the filmmaking trenches are merely the tip of the iceberg, but ask anybody on the Titanic and they’ll tell you it’s the tip of the iceberg that sinks the ship. And it’s just as often the mentally unprepared filmmaker keeps him or herself from reaching goals.
- 7 Steps To An Efficient NLE Workflow by Jim Kanter : Now that the project is ready, there are 7 steps to working most efficiently. Although the instructions that follow are for FCP, you can use this workflow with most non-linear editing applications.
- The Ideal Editor’s Suite by Tina Lung : What is the best way to set up your new office space as the ideal editor’s suite? Follow these steps and you just might be able to transform your blank slate to a room of all editors’ envy.
- Why Do I Need a RAID? And Why Should I Build My Own? by Ben King : So, you’ve bought a new Mac with Final Cut Pro, or maybe you’ve got an old edit system with single Hard Disk Drive (HDD) as your media storage. You haven’t had any real issue with digitising or playback, so why do you need a RAID?
- The Keys to the Kingdom by Michael Wohl : What makes an editor a power user? It’s not just about memorizing the ins and outs of the software – it’s about using it efficiently and effectively.
- The Montage Format Challenge by Diana Weynand : In storytelling, the montage can be an editor’s best friend. Using different video and audio combinations, you can use a montage to fill in gaps bringing a sequence to a desired length. However, if your montage consists of still images cut to a music track, which is frequently the case, you could get yourself into format trouble if you don’t take certain precautions.
- How the iPad Will Revolutionize Your Workflow by Taz Goldstein : Just when I was convinced that the iPhone was the greatest filmmaking tool ever conceived, Apple changed the game again. On January 27th, 2010, Jobs introduced the iPad. And this time, I’m CERTAIN it was intended just for film and video makers. Don’t believe me? Allow me to prove it.
- The Future of Post Production Editing by David Bigelow: What does the television and cinema Post Production facility of the future look like? How is it different from the way we work today?
- Canon EOS DSLR Workflow: Workflow Solutions When Shooting Video With Canon DSLRs by Philip Bloom : Shooting HD Video on DSLRs snuck up on us in late 2008, but it wasn’t until 2009 that I ventured into it myself.
- Editing a Canon 5D Mark II Multicam Concert Shoot by Scott Simmons : There’s very real reasons why you wouldn’t want to use any smallform-factor DSLRs (with no gen lock, timecode input or external monitoring) in a multicam production. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t get the job done.
- Aperture 3 for Filmmakers: Video Asset Management by Rob Chinn : Final Cut Pro users have been asking for a video asset management tool for years. This article provides you with an overview of how you can use Aperture 3 in your filmmaking workflow.
- Shooting Stereoscopic 3D – A Beginners Guide by Tim Dashwood : It’s 2010 and 3D back in style, again, for the fourth time in 150 years. Will its popularity last this time? If the actions of TV manufacturers like JVC, Sony, Panasonic and Samsung are any indication the answer is a resounding “yes!”
- Final Cut Server: What have you done for me lately? by Kevin Shea : The concept of Final Cut Server is a simple one. If you do a little research and ponder the possibilities, you should come to the realization that Final Cut Server [FCSVR] can be just about anything to anyone. So, what is Final Cut Server to you?
- Think Different in Apple Color by Steve Hullfish : For many, trying to use Apple Color seems a little daunting. It has the feel of UNIX and lots of controls that look and act differently than anything you’ve seen on a Mac, but the program is actually very easy to use. But even those who have spent quite a bit of time using Color may not have found the tip I’m about to reveal that is based on a technique I learned from Hollywood’s top gun colorists.
- Making Video Look More Like Film by Larry Jordan : Nothing starts a bar fight faster than expressing an opinion about how to make video look like film. But, I recently presented this topic at the Broadcast Video Expo in London to three standing-room only crowds. So, I figure there is some interest in this topic. Allow me to share my thoughts.
- Get the RED Out! RED 4K Export Workflow for DVD, YouTube & Vimeo by Noah Kadner : In this article we’ll look at how to prepare RED 4K footage for DVD and online output.
- Self-Distributing Your Movie by Noah Kadner : Noah Kadner shares tips and tricks on getting distribution for your indie movie from his 7 year experience with his movie, Formosa.
