Editing Software: Final Cut

Final Cut is an editing programme that users of the Apple computers or laptops can download instead of using iMovie. It is the editing software that I will be using to edit my thriller opening. Previously I have used the Sony Vegas Movie Studio 10.0 Platinum Edition but now I will be using the school computers to edit my thriller. After watching a few short tutorials I have picked up some basic skills that will help me when editing.

Importing and Inserting on the Timeline
To import clips to Final Cut you click on the 'File' button, then 'Import' and then 'Files'. A shortcut for this is the command key and 1. I can do this for the music, video clips and any photos that I wish to import to Final Cut. After these have been selected and imported I can drag them onto the timeline. Just click and drag them to the timeline and release the mouse. This is the basics to importing and inserting on the timeline.

Cutting and Merging Clips
To cut the clip you click on the timeline where you want the clip to be cut. Next you have to get the razor bade tool by pressing the 'B' button on your keyboard. Then you click on the spot where you originally clicked on your timeline and the clip will cut. Additionally, to get back to your original cursor you can click the 'A' key. One way to merge the clips is to drag the end clip next to the first one - this method is very difficult to get the clips to sit exactly next to each other. So, an alternative method is to use the 'Snapping' tool (which is situated just under the video box on the right side). The 'Snapping' tool  allows you to drag the clip close enough to the other one so it snaps next to it.

Adding Music, Deleting Audio and Rendering
Adding music is similar to adding a video clip; you just drag and drop it onto the timeline. A red line should appear at the top of the timeline which means that the audio track needs to be rendered. To render a track you click on the 'Sequence' button, hover over the 'Render All' Button and then click 'Both'. This should render your track. Essentially, to delete the original audio you must lock the video section by clicking on the pad lock and then click on the audio section you want to delete and press the delete key.

Adding Effects
Adding effects is very simple; click on the effects tab at the top of Final Cut and find the effects you want to add. There are different ways to alter and change the various effects once they have been applied.

This was a short Beginner's Guide to Final Cut. Hopefully, this will allow me to edit the basic parts effectively and quickly. All information was attained from a youtube video which can be seen here.