Apple's Final Cut Express is made for Mac computer users who need digital video editing for their video project at a reasonable price. Final Cut Express 2 is an excellent way to reach video editing professional level performance.
Storyboard to Final Cut Express
Storyboard is similar to a comic strip. My illustrations must tell a story. Storyboard helps me visualize my story line and avoid shooting random scenes. Also, I create a shot list that describes the video shots in the order that I will shoot them in my video project. The importance of a beginning, middle and end keeps me focused during shooting my movie.
You can create a storyboard of clips in Express. The Final Cut Express Storyboard gives me a visual look at my movie. I control-click the Final Cut Express browser and choose large icon new. Then, I drag the clips into the order that I want them to be played. Next, I click on the project's tab in the Browser and save it. Finally, I save the entire project.
Now to add my new storyboard to Final Cut Express sequences. Draw a marquee around the Storyboard clips. Next, I drag the clips from my Final Cut Express Browser to my Timeline and save the project. To protect them, I can lock them to make sure that they cannot be modified. I can lock and unlock them with the F4 key for video tracks and the F5 key for audio tracks.
Working with Final Cut Express
Creating titles and credits with Express is important. The key is the Video Generator. You can create synthesized clips that you superimpose over your existing video clips in the Final Cut Express Timeline.
For good-looking titles, you can use san serif fonts such as Arial, Futura, Gill Sans, Helvetica and Impact. I have found using bold, red or blue 30 point fonts effective for my titles.
You need to watch for the 20 percent factor. The 'Title Save Boundary' is 20 percent smaller than your television screen. To see the boundaries in Final Cut Express, go to View then to Show Title. Best to keep your titles within the safe zone.
Final Cut Express allows you to create rolling credits like the credits at the end of a movie. You can set the duration of your video clips plus set the in and out points for speed of the text and scrolls.
Pro Reaction
Final Cut Express is wonderful for making storyboards, titles, transitions and effects using software digital tools. Final Cut Express 2 supports up to 99 video and audio tracks. Express has various editing tools from Ripple editing, Razor Blade Tool, Pen Tool to Slip and Slide editing.
Express allows you to import iMovie projects. You can also import your Final Cut Express project to iDVD complete with special chapter marker. Express comes with an excellent hardcopy paper manual for learning how to use Final Cut Express 2. The manual is easy to follow without computer jargon.
Con Reaction
You have to work at learning how to use the Final Cut Express application. You have to spend the time to read and work with the Final Cut Express manual.
You cannot capture DV across time-code breaks. You cannot import your Final Cut Express project to iMovie or QuickTime with chapter markers and comments.
Final Remarks
Final Cut Express worked well with my G4, Dual, 500 MHz PowerPC with a 17-inch Viewsonic monitor. Express is better than iMovie applications and gives you professional storyboard, title and video effects.
System Requirements
Final Cut Express 2 requires a 500-mhz G4 processor (550MHz for portables) or higher or dual-G4 or G5 processors of any speed. RT Extreme offers multiple performance settings. In addition, you need Mac OS X 10.2.5 or later, QuickTime 6.4 or later and 40MB of available disk space is required for installation.
Apple's retail price: $299.
Company: Apple Computer, 800-692-7753 www.apple.com
Paul Gerstenbluth is President of the ARIE Foundation and is a Macintosh consultant. The ARIE Foundation's mission is to provide VA hospitalized patients with hobby materials and Powerbooks that help in their stay and recovery.
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