Motion Graphics and Effects in Final Cut Pro

Rating:
Summary: Best of the bunch
Review: As non-linear editing software like Final Cut Pro gets more and more sophisticated, the greater the challenge it presents. The problem is that not all editors share the same areas of expertise, some having classic narrative editing backgrounds and others having more experience as graphic artists. That's what's so great about this title: instead of trying to cover all possible aspects of the programme in a general way, it chooses to focus on a particular area, but then goes into it in real depth.

It's obvious that the author knows his way round FCP with his eyes shut, but also that he knows a thing or two about teaching as well. However complicated the techniques described, the reader is always given the feeling that they can expand their creative abilities. Even seasoned pros will be surprised at how many new tips they pick up along the way.

No question about it: "Motion Graphics and Effects in Final Cut Pro" is simply destined to become a "must-have" title in its field.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Have!
Review: I have been an editor for quite sometime. I have been earning a living using Final Cut Pro for over 3 years...Thought I had it down pat...After reading a few chapters I realized what a novice I was...indespensible. Period.

Rating:
Summary: A bit disappointed
Review: I purchased this book based on the numerous great reviews here, but I have to say I am quite disappointed.

I am proficient in softwares such as Photoshop and After Effects, but I am new to Final Cut Pro. I was hoping to learn from this book techniques that can only be done in FCP. However half way through the book all I got were very basic things such as moving/scaling layers around, faking 3D effects or playing with type, which can be done 10 times better in After Effects. The author only touched briefly on the more unique concepts in FCP (such as roll tools and slip tools). I had to find information on those via Final Cut Pro Help.

I am also disappointed at the exercises on the DVD that comes with the book. The exercise sequences were very simple and wasn't designed well, and I often found myself following the book and producing an effect that I would never want to make (such as squashing a movie clip into awkward dimensions and making them fly around the screen), or it would be an effect that can be produced much better in After Effects. At first I was hoping to see and learn from examples similar to hollywood movie trailers/title sequences, but I have seen none of that so far.

I also find the organization of this book a bit confusing. For instance, in the first few chapters of the book it will show an example using various techniques, such as nesting and masking, but it wouldn't show you right away how these techniques are done until the later parts of the book (and it wouldn't even tell you if these techniques would be covered in the book at all!). Also, personally i think a new user should read the first 5 chapters before doing the bonus exercise in chapter 1 in order to know what's going on.

However, this book did point out things that I would have overlooked if I were to experiment with Final Cut Pro myself.


Rating:
Summary: A must have!!
Review: I very highly recommend this book. I never knew you could do so many cool things in FCP and I've been using it since version 2 for my own small video production company (www.gforcevideo.com) There are so many things you can do....things like having a shot be black and white and just one part of the shot (say a red shirt) be in color....ways to pull a key without using a blue or green screen (by using say a white pull down movie screen type background and then using Luma key) and many other AWESOME graphic and effects possibilities lie in the pages of this book. Not only that but all the color illustrations can give you a lot of ideas for making your own graphics. Plus you get some new filters!! This book is definitely worth the price and every serious FCP editor should have a copy in his or her edit bay!!!!
Great job Kevin!! :-)

Rating:
Summary: A must have!!
Review: I very highly recommend this book. I never knew you could do so many cool things in FCP and I've been using it since version 2 for my own small video production company (www.gforcevideo.com) There are so many things you can do....things like having a shot be black and white and just one part of the shot (say a red shirt) be in color....ways to pull a key without using a blue or green screen (by using say a white pull down movie screen type background and then using Luma key) and many other AWESOME graphic and effects possibilities lie in the pages of this book. Not only that but all the color illustrations can give you a lot of ideas for making your own graphics. Plus you get some new filters!! This book is definitely worth the price and every serious FCP editor should have a copy in his or her edit bay!!!!
Great job Kevin!! :-)

Rating:
Summary: MG&FX in FCP
Review: One of the most readable books explaining FCP techniques that I have read. Really well put together, especially from a beginning to intermediate user standpoint. Comes with a DVD of extra material for use with the tutorials in the book. Excellent examples, wonderful graphics, great exercises, and some bonus plugins to use in your own FCP setup! I would love to see Apple use Kevin to prepare material when they do the upgrade to FCP 5 in the future. I am very pleased.

Rating:
Summary: Worth the Money -- BUY IT!
Review: This book is a tremendous timesaver. In a few hours, you can learn how to do some really stunning effects, all from within an editing application. FCP is not just for cutting anymore! If you're strapped for time and or cash, and you need to wow a client, its a lot more efficient and frugal to work all within FCP, rather than creating motion graphics in other applications with steaper learning curves and price tags. Motion Graphics and Effects in Final Cut Pro by Kevin Monahan is a one-of-a-kind book that fills a gap in the pantheon of editing how-to-books, and it does it extremely well. Great job, Kevin.