How Final Cut Pro Works

By Alex Fitzgerald

My band Duke and I started a project for our first upcoming virtual performance. We have been using one of the latest video-editing software called iFinal Cut Pro. The first time I experienced it introduces us to new techniques in creating and organizing the project with a mix between video and audio. The drummer of my band Pat Shepherd, also a technical filmmaker, agreed to work collaboratively to record separate tracks in video and importing content into the project. My beloved father Steve Fitzgerald taught me how to use it and helped figure out how the project can be done successfully. With many challenges and limited access to digital applications affected by my vision impairment, Steve takes time to put massive amounts of work into effort. 

   We used two different cameras to videotape ourselves playing along with each other at different times, including GoPro and a traditional camera mounted on a tripod.  Each camera has its own frame weight, so the larger the frames can be, the more pictures it takes per second. If we move from IMovie to Final Cut Pro, there are a lot more options for arranging new projects as an alternative to other video-editing programs. The process of editing videos in Final Cut Pro requires synchronizing the files to fit in the timeline. For example, the first thing I did was set the sample weight of an original audio to 4800 so that the video clips are synchronized properly and mimics all of the content. As a guide for beginners learning about how Final Cut Pro works, let’s review the basic steps to help you get familiar with it. The most important features of the content include Libraries, Events, and Projects. When creating a project, media must be selected and imported into the project.  All we do is store all media content that is created automatically and it keeps projects organized. Video clips should be trimmed and dragged forward or backward before adding to the timeline. After that you can choose titles for your project and drag them down onto a timeline. This allows you to use specific clips as long as you place them on top. If you are unsure what titles you want to add, it’s fine to explore and come up with these in mind. Final Cut Po also establishes transitional features that come with the gap between video clips. You can adjust the length of transitions from one scene to the next by dragging them inward or outward. Next, you can add music/audio to the project by importing them the same way as video. Pick your favorite song, then drag it into the timeline. It works well with royalty-free music tracks so there’s no big deal with that. The software offers dozens of colors you can correct on video clips. It makes the project look professional and the viewer will have a better idea of what is happening inside the scene. Once you’ve completed the project following all the steps, it’s time to share your movie with anyone, especially your friends, family, and neighbors! The videos I’m working on will contain almost all of these elements of content. Steve and I put together song tracks that match the length of clips. Some special effects will be added as well as background corrections to enhance the high quality of our project. A green screen, for example, is the best place to record individually so you have room for graphics and/or other videos to be inserted into the background.

I believe that Final Cut Pro is a very useful tool for professionals who want more depth in shooting video. It is a great choice for musicians and those working from home. It’s now available on Apple computers which can be easily installed. I hope this information is helpful, and that you enjoyed learning about the program. Below is the link to our YouTube clip showing overall progress we made throughout the project:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=z0zQGqrtD70&feature=share