The only Apple-authorized guide to Final Cut Express HD 3.5, this book delivers the techniques you need to make movie magic with DV or HDV footage. Each chapter presents a complete lesson in an aspect of video editing and finishing, with hands-on projects to complete as you go. All the files you need are on the included DVD-ROM. You’ll learn how to make effective edits and adjust them precisely; create polished transitions and sophisticated composites; add audio tracks, titles, and speed and motion effects; then color-correct and finish your video for export to DVD or the Web. Whether you’re a student, a devoted amateur who’s serious about digital video, or a professional who needs a comprehensive editing program for your home computer, you’ll find everything you need to learn Final Cut Express HD 3.5 within the pages of this book. DVD-ROM includes lesson and media files for over 20 hours of training.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 19 Ratings

Not a good reference book - 2007-12-06
Reviewer Rating:
If you're an experienced iMovie user wanting to learn FCE, then this book is not the best one. It's a useful tutorial book for a class, but simple references like creating slow motion clips, importing media from iMovie or iTunes, switching around clips, etc. are simply not easy to find using the index of this book.
I highly suggest Final Cut Express HD for Mac OS X (Visual QuickStart Guide) as a much better reference guide. And if you can find some audiovisual tutorials about FCE, those would work better for you than this book.

Very helpful book - 2009-02-12
Reviewer Rating:
This book is extremely helpful, starting out basic, and carefully advancing. She explains things very well, with a clear writing style. Of note are the illustrations. Seeing detail in the Timeline is very important, and in the case of this book, the illustrations are both sharp, and in full color. It's much easier to follow complex edits. The tutorials are well-done. She has got me up and going, and enjoying FCE.

You Can't Beat The Self Paced Apple Pro Series - 2007-12-27
Reviewer Rating:
This is by far the best self paced overview series I have found for various applications. I wish there were classes near me (but they are hours away) but these are fantastic substitutes!

Apple Pro Training Series Final Cut Express HD - 2007-11-01
Reviewer Rating:
This is a very good introduction to FCE. The lessons are well laid out and the author, Diana Weynand, gives you clear instructions. The only weakness here is that advanced editing techniques, and companion products like Live Type and Soundtrack have only electronic PDF's which make it very difficult to learn unless you print out the PDF's (expensive) or have two computers , one for the PDF instructions and the other for doing the lessons(expensive).

Good but not great - 2007-10-14
Reviewer Rating:
If you are a beginner as was I, learning Final Cut Express HD can seem very difficult. The Apple Training Series certainly bridges the gulf and provides a painless way via tutorials on many of the skills needed to master FCE. On the other hand, it does not provide insights into all of the features. For example, it does not mention the motion features and how to control scale, rotation, center, or any of the other parameters for motion. Overall it is a good book but not a great one.

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