Final Cut Express 2 Editing Workshop (DV Expert Series)

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Summary: Now We're Getting Somewhere
Review: At last, here is a book on FCE that gets you up and running with tutorial materials and an instructor who really knows his stuff. Tom Wolsky is a long time veteran in film and video production (nearly 40 years), brings years of experience working for ABC news into his current profession as a Final Cut teacher at Stanford University, and has established a solid curriculum with his titles on Final Cut Pro which in turn have been distilled into the first real title which sits one down and TEACHES Final Cut Express.

With the help of tutorial materials on the supplied disc (which you need a DVD rom to access, by the way), you are given sample clips to import, slice, dice, edit and organize into full blown projects as Mr. Wolsky leads you through 11 fast-paced yet comprehensive lessons in video production. I had previously purchased the Visual Quickstart and Dummies books for FCE, both of which explained in their way what the program could do, but don't really teach it. I felt like I understood more about it in the first three chapter/lessons in this title than in both of those other books combined. That's what I get for being impatient.

Also on the DVD is an in-depth look at working in Final Cut vs. iMovie, which made me glad I didn't get too used the lesser program; as Wolsky puts it, it's like the difference between an automatic and a stick shift car, with the added benefit of Final Cut's non-destructive process.

So if you're ready to get serious with your video, and want to start learning Final Cut Express with hands-on projects that will have you actually understanding the program as you go, you can't go wrong with this title, especially at such a low price compared to other such books. Highly recommended for the serious novice videophile!

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Summary: UpGrader from iMovie? You've found a Private Tutor!
Review: I made the switch from iMovie3 to FCE. I was very happy with iMovie2; but upgraded to enjoy the added features. I became very frustrated with the bugs. I now realize that I was expecting too much-my projects were becoming more complex than iMovie3 could manage.

The power of FCE is far far far superior to iMovie. I realized that I had not made an "upgrade"; I had changed to a very different application. The learning curve was steep. I needed a private tutor. Once this book (with DVD / DVD ROM) had arrived, I felt like I had that private tutor AND a reference.

If you're moving up to Final Cut Express: (1) order Tom Wolsky's Book, Final Cut Express Editing Workshop when you order FCE. (2) Watch the DVD where Tom tells us iMovie users what we need to know. (3) Read the first 2 lessons before you install FCE. (4) Be prepared to say, "I can't believe this Final Cut is so powerful" every time Tom teaches you something new as you go through his very well written tutorial.

Rating:
Summary: Just what I needed
Review: I'm writing as someone new to Final Cut Express (and a veteran of 4 iMovie blockbusters.) After spending some frustrating time with printed out chapters from the long but not very helpful Apple supplied online manual, the light finally shone when Tom Wolsky's book arrived.

He writes well and organized the rather complicated material clearly and patiently. The included DVD is a great complement to the text, providing material for practice in each chapter. It felt as though I was working alongside Mr. Wolsky. The DVD also contains helpful examples of transitions and effects.

I'm still a beginner but I have completed 2 modest videos and a third is in the works. Final Cut Express Editing Workshop is just what I needed to get started with this fascinating software.