Final Cut Pro X v10.1.x: Narrative Scene Editing

Course details

How shots are assembled, performances are revealed, and images are ordered are a few of the ingredients that turn a good film into a great one. This course shows filmmakers and film editors how to make critical creative and technical decisions and present their vision dynamically with Final Cut Pro. Author Abba Shapiro illustrates important techniques for putting shots together to create a short film, covering the entire post-production process—from organizing footage, crafting scenes, and editing dialogue to building montages and adding music. Each step of the process is rich with object lessons that are applicable to situations editors face in the real world.

Note: This course was updated to reflect the changes to Final Cut Pro X v. 10.1.x. Although the course was not re-recorded from scratch, we updated each of the movies by adding text overlays to guide you to existing changes. We also updated the exercise files to work with the most current version of the software. Please watch the "Understanding this update and using the exercise files" movie to learn exactly what to expect from this updated course. Working with an earlier version of Final Cut Pro X? Watch Narrative Scene Editing with Final Cut Pro X 10.0.9.

Learning objectives
Preparing and importing your media
Evaluating shots and performances
Incorporating additional assets like images
Editing a dialogue scene
Adding reaction shots
Using alternative takes
Editing a montage
Selecting and organizing clips
Enhancing a scene with audio
Replacing location audio or a dialogue track
Transitioning between scenes
Using creative color and effects

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Welcome
02 - Using the exercise files
03 - What you need to know about this course
04 - Reviewing the rough cut - Long version
05 - Reviewing the rough cut - Short version

1. Preparing for the Edit

06 - Preparing the interface
07 - Setting preferences for narrative editing
08 - Getting perspective by reviewing the rough cut

2. Understanding the Workflow of Cutting a Narrative Film

09 - Preparing and importing your media
10 - Evaluating shots and performances
11 - Adding assets
12 - Understanding editing conventions

3. Editing a Dialogue Scene

13 - Planning an editing strategy
14 - Editing dialogue - Building the basic assembly
15 - Refining the assembly by adjusting timing
16 - Adding reaction shots
17 - Using alternative takes
18 - Using split edits
19 - Simplifying your timeline
20 - Grouping clips together
21 - Reviewing the first cut

4. Editing a Montage

22 - Understanding the purpose of a montage
23 - Selecting and organizing clips
24 - Laying down and organizing the base
25 - Montage editing techniques
26 - Reviewing the first cut

5. Editing a Multicamera Shoot

27 - Creating a multicam clip
28 - Cutting multicam
29 - Using cutaways
30 - Polishing
31 - Reviewing the first cut

6. Using Audio to Enhance a Scene

32 - Preparing to fix audio
33 - Replacing location audio
34 - Replacing and repairing the dialogue track
35 - Building a soundscape
36 - Reviewing the first cut

7. Finishing Techniques

37 - Transitioning between scenes
38 - Using effects to create a flashback
39 - Using color to enhance a scene
40 - Cutting down the rough cut
41 - Understanding finishing steps
42 - Looking at your visual arc

Conclusion

43 - Next steps