Final Cut Pro X Fundamentals

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
147 Students

Make the leap from home video enthusiast to professional video editor using Apple's revolutionary Final Cut Pro X editing software.

Make the leap from home video enthusiast to professional video editor using Apple's revolutionary Final Cut Pro X editing software! Whether you're an absolute beginner, an iMovie user, or an editor needing to upgrade from a previous version of Final Cut Pro, this course will prepare you to work on any type of editing project quickly and intuitively.

We'll cover the FCPX interface and its basic editing toolset including its advanced handling of metadata, the Magnetic Timeline, the Ripple and Insert edit tools, filters, titles, transitions, and audio tools. We'll also explore many of its advanced features such as Auditions, Compound clips, color correction, masks, and Roles.

You'll discover every feature of the FCPX software via hands-on tutorials in which you'll edit footage to produce finished works that you can show to potential employers, family, and friends. Each lesson focuses on general editing techniques and strategies for many different kinds of projects involving dialogue, music video, documentary interviews, action sequences, and promotional video. Along the way, you'll develop essential skills that will make editing your videos fast, expert, and fun.

By the end of the course, you'll know how to edit professional video presentations for use on the Web, in education, for business, or for a career in the motion picture industry!

Course Revised March 2014

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

In this first lesson, you'll get acquainted with the basic concepts and workflows of video editing with Final Cut Pro X. You'll explore the FCPX interface, using actual footage you import into your first project. We'll talk about how to review your footage, and you'll practice by adding keywords and markers to your clips to make them easy to identify. By the end of the lesson, you'll lay the foundation for your Editor's Reel, the business card of the professional video editor!

Today you'll get to know some of the challenges of working with digital video. We'll explore techniques for managing your files in FCPX, and we'll talk about how different kinds of video compression may affect the way you work and your best options for optimizing your media. We'll also look at some basic troubleshooting techniques that every editor should know. In the final part of the lesson, you'll make selections from your clips and edit them into your first project!

This lesson is all about dialogue! You'll edit a dialogue scene today—evaluating your footage for technical quality and comparing different takes and making decisions about which are the best to use. We'll also walk through some techniques that will help you to quickly produce a rough cut. Finally, to refine your edit into an effective fine cut, you'll use some of FCPX's advanced editing tools.

We have a special way of editing the on-camera interview, the staple of all documentary films and videos. In this lesson, you'll discover how to tease the story out of an interview and how to build on that story with related visuals. You'll work on pacing, condensing time, creating rhythm, and making a compelling narrative out of your footage. Along the way, you'll experiment with a new set of FCPX editing tools.

Who doesn't like music videos? And today, you'll learn how to edit them! We'll discuss the basic concepts and strategies for editing music videos, and you'll get lots of practice along the way. You'll import, analyze, and mark music; you'll use a few new editing tools to precisely adjust your cuts; and you'll make transformations to your images in the Viewer window. We'll also talk about how design principles and copyright influence the way you work.

Today's lesson is about getting to the point quickly! You'll edit a promo video for a famous horror film. We'll cover the format-specific techniques for editing your video down to an exact 30 seconds in length. You'll rough out the elements in the script, analyzing the dialogue for its rhythms and finding exciting images to help tell the story. Finally, once you've trimmed your images to perfection by slipping and sliding your shots, you'll discover the power of FCPX's audio mixing tools.

Action, action, action! You'll edit a quick-moving action sequence in this lesson, and while you work, you'll discover the benefits of using <em>Auditions</em>, a special set of FCPX tools specifically designed to help you choose the best possible clips for your edits. After you cut the sequence, you'll discover how to fix problems with audio, and I'll also show you a convenient way to add music.

In this lesson, we'll explore important technical details about video files, FCPX customization, and some of the basic tricks of the editor's trade. You'll develop a better understanding of the kinds of files you'll use for different projects, and you'll discover how to tailor the FCPX work space to match your needs. Finally, I'll give you some useful tips for audio mixing, flipping images, and altering the speed of video clips for better editing.

Today you'll conquer the brave new world of motion graphics. You'll develop basic skills for creating transparencies, combining multiple images, and animating different image layers. By the end of the lesson, you'll transform your raw project materials into complex visual compositions that harness many of the same techniques as the latest action movies!

This lesson is all about color! Color can be an important creative component of any video, adding emotion and giving new meaning to the visuals. Today, you'll explore the automatic and manual color tools in FCPX, while incorporating elements of color theory into your working method. You'll also use the professional tools of the trade, video scopes, to assure the quality and effectiveness of the colors and contrast in your images.

Can narration help you tell a story? Yes! That's what we're going to talk about in this lesson. We'll start by recording narration in FCPX's recording window. Then, using iPhoto as a companion to FCPX, you'll work with still photos and video to bring visual punch to your narrative descriptions. You'll explore the Crop tool and the Ken Burns effect, adding movement to your stills. And finally, you'll bring the whole thing together using Lower Third titles and Compound Clips.

Our final lesson is about showing the world what you can do! Your editor's reel features the best of your work in a short, exciting video showcase that you can use to impress potential employers, as well as friends and family. You'll get the inside scoop into all the things that will help you create the perfect reel. Using Roles, you'll create alternate versions of your work, and finally, you'll pull it all together by outputting distribution formats for the Web, mobile devices, and DVD.

Lewis Weinberg

Lewis Weinberg is an independent filmmaker and professional videographer. His movies have been showcased at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, and screened at the Ann Arbor, Athens, Chicago Underground, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis Internationa... Read more

Read Lewis Weinberg's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

What people are saying about our courses

It was a pleasure taking this course. I'm a hip hop artist that has recently been shooting all my own videos. This class has really helped me improve my editing skills. Thanks again for everything, it has really helped.

Verified Student

I have been asking for a course like this for awhile, and it is almost as if someone read my comments and created exactly the course I wanted in video editing. It covered all the things I wanted to learn in a clear and thorough yet entertaining manner… this is exactly what I wanted and I'm very happy to have been able to take this class.

Verified Student

This was my first online class. I really enjoyed the format and convenience of taking a class when it suited my schedule. I was excited to finally learn more about Final Cut Pro X and felt the instructor was very knowledgeable and interacted well with the class...I have already signed up for another online course! I'm a teacher and always want to learn more about using technology, but have been hampered in the past with where to learn more. Finally, I can learn more!

Verified Student

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The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Final Cut Pro X Fundamentals you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

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Powerful Business Writing

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
18408 Students

Improve your career prospects by learning how to develop powerful written documents that draw readers in and keep them motivated to continue to the end.

Do you have a nagging suspicion that a small improvement in your writing skills might also improve your career prospects? Don't let small gaps in your business writing skills prevent you from reaching your full potential! It doesn't matter whether you're a clerical worker, an engineer, or an executive. If you communicate with others in writing, you need this course to help you identify and eliminate problem areas. By the end of this course, you'll know the secret to developing powerful written documents that immediately draw readers in and keep them motivated to continue until your very last, well-chosen word.

In this first lesson, you'll learn a brainstorming technique that will help make writing easier and more fun for you right away. You'll learn how to disentangle the efforts of your creative and critical sides, and you'll come to understand why both sides are important components of good writing. You'll also learn why writing is one of the best problem-solving tools around.

Here's where you'll learn a helpful system for organizing your writing, whether it's an e-mail, a formal letter, or a companywide memo. You'll start by picking out a document you have to write anyway so you can begin to put your new writing knowledge to use right away. You may as well get some work done while you're learning, right? Next, you'll nail down why you're writing this particular document and who your reader is. A second brainstorming technique will help you have fun thinking through these two questions.

In this lesson, you'll learn to make your readers do what you want. Your readers will be happy, too, since they'll get what they want in this win/win system. You'll learn the seven basic benefits you can offer your reader and how to write the crucial first sentence of your document. You'll learn one more brainstorming technique that will help you capture good ideas, words, and phrases.

Master seven strategies for putting your ideas in order and learn how poor sequencing can sabotage your efforts. You'll also discover the best way to end any document. It's an idea that may surprise you!

Revising, formatting, editing, and proofreading may all sound similar, but they're four distinct activities. In this lesson, you'll learn how revision is a process of exploration and discovery. You'll learn formatting strategies that will invite your reader in. You'll also learn to be a ruthless editor and professional proofreader.

In this lesson, you'll learn how to write clearly and concisely. You'll explore three mistaken notions that lead business writers to use lots of convoluted phrasing and needlessly long words. You'll examine the pitfalls of using business clichés, jammed modifiers, trendy words, jargon, foreign words, redundancies, and hedging adjectives.

In the last lesson you learned what words to remove from your document. In this lesson, you'll learn what words you should include to make your business writing more compelling. You'll learn the four parts of the written communication process. You'll find out why the verbs and nouns you choose make a major difference. You'll also learn more ways to make the task of writing more enjoyable for you.

Today, we'll look at strategies for good spelling and punctuation. Everyone needs this review! To keep it fun, you'll get to deal with the topics of spelling and punctuation by taking some easy quizzes. It's a chance to learn by doing. See how good your spelling and punctuation skills really are. You'll learn that punctuation is not a tyranny of rules, but an evolving protocol to help you communicate. Finally, you'll capture your weak areas on a Tips Card.

Why do you have to bother with grammar? You'll find out why in this lesson. Take the Grammar Blitz Quiz to discover your grammar strengths and weaknesses. It will help you fill in the gaps that remain after years of boring grammar classes. You'll learn why using the active instead of the passive voice can be a demonstration of your integrity. You'll also explore the traps pronouns set for those of us sensitive to gender issues.

Getting the tone right in business writing can be tricky, especially in e-mail. In this lesson, you'll get to tackle your worst moods with one more brainstorming technique. You'll learn how to defuse any negative emotions that might get in the way of your problem solving. You'll also learn how your attitude toward your reader, your topic, and your own needs determines your tone. As you go through the lesson, you'll learn two easy ways to eliminate unintentional tone mistakes.

In this lesson, you'll learn why being able to say “no” with grace is a crucial business skill. A five-part format will give you a solid strategy for writing documents that say “no” while retaining the goodwill of your reader. You'll learn how to keep bad news letters, memos, and e-mails positive and helpful.

All about e-mail: Here's an up-to-date review of all the ways e-mail is different from other kinds of business writing. You'll learn tips on how to write e-mail that gets the job done. You'll find out some of pitfalls of using e-mail, including its legal status in court. You'll also discover how to manage the tone of your e-mail so that it doesn't accidentally offend your reader.

Ann Linquist

Ann Linquist is a popular continuing education tutor, at corporations, and with non-profit organisations. She has helped thousands of adults learn to tackle their writing tasks with enthusiasm. Having written everything from novels to newsletters,... Read more

Read Ann Linquist's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

What people are saying about our courses

After taking several types of business courses, I found the Effective Business Writing course the most beneficial to me! Ms. Linquist was always helpful when commenting on assigments and answering questions. I would recommend this course to anyone wanting to make writing easier and getting results!

Verified Student

This is the best writing class I have ever taken! I had a difficult time writing in college, which has continued into my business career. I recently received a promotion, which requires me to email top-level executives. I would sit for hours just typing and deleting. Writing is not second nature yet, but you have given me valuable information to get me well on my way. I appreciate mostly your timely and honest feedback. I will definitely be recommending this class to others. Thank you for developing a class that works.

Verified Student

We have a Winner! The class is perfect for folks who want to refresh and enhance their writing skills. The methods are fun, creative, and instructive. There are so many helpful things: Printer friendly versions of the lessons are a convenient study guide and a valuable reference source; Discussion area is great for interaction and feedback; Quizzes and assignments help you evaluate yourself; Supplementary material exposes you to a wealth of additional information. The experience is challenging and fulfilling. This course is a real confidence builder!

Verified Student

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The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Powerful Business Writing you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.