Do all the old versions of Final Cut with manuals really add up to 17kg? The dumping of the boxes got us thinking though, what should we do to prepare for FCPX?
We will be there downloading FCPX on the day it gets released in June, but what can we do beforehand to make life easier?
1) Finish stuff off
It is our guess that FCP7 and FCPX might be able to live on the same hard drive. Just in case of problems though this is the ideal time to finish off any FCP7 project that you've had hanging around. Updating your showreel or editing that family party video, now is your chance to clear the decks.
2) A fresh install of Snow Leopard
3) Backup your hard drive
4) Make a list of all installed software & log serial numbers
We know it sounds obvious, but you have probably amassed a library of third party software and plugins for Final Cut Pro. Make a list and find all the serial numbers.
5) Find the URLs of all the new installers
6) Copy other libraries
7) Install more disks in your MacPro
If you edit on a MacPro and have an empty caddy in the machine, rather than reformat your boot drive, install a fresh copy of Snow Leopard on a new disk. When FCPX is released, install that on the new drive then you'll be able to have two working systems to choose from.
If you have a second spare slot then buy another drive to do exactly the same thing but install Lion when it is released. If you are a working editor, you cannot afford to have a machine that you can't edit on.
8) Check you can purchase software through the Mac App store.
Make sure you have updated your system software so that you can access the Mac App store via the OS. It should be the third item in the dropdown menu from the Apple logo in the menu bar. Have you got an Apple ID? Is your credit card valid?
I am the Editor-in-Chief of FCP.co and have run the website since its inception ten years ago.
I have also worked as a broadcast and corporate editor for over 30 years, starting on one inch tape, working through many formats, right up to today's NLEs.
Under the name Idustrial Revolution, I have written and sold plugins for Final Cut Pro for 13 years.
I was made a Freeman of Lichfield through The Worshipful Company of Smiths (established 1601). Though I haven't yet tried to herd a flock of sheep through the city centre!
Current Editing
2020 has been busy, the beginning of the year was finishing off a new property series (cut on FCP) for Channel 4 called The Great House Giveaway. I also designed and built the majority of the graphics as Motion templates. It has been a great success and the shows grabbed more viewers in the 4pm weekday slot than any previous strand. It has been recommissioned by C4 for 60 episodes, including prime-time versions and five themed programmes. The shows have also been nominated for a 2021 BAFTA.
Although both were postponed to later in the year, I worked again on ITV's coverage of the Tour de France and La Vuelta. 2020 was my 25th year of editing the TdF and my 20th year as lead editor. The Tour was the first broadcast show to adopt FCPX working for multiple editors on shared storage.
BBC's Snooker has played a big part in my life, I've been editing tournament coverage since 1997. I'm proud to be part of a very creative team that has pioneered many new ideas and workflows that are now industry standard in sports' production. This is currently an Adobe Premiere edit.
Covid cancelled some of the regular corporate events that I edit such as trade shows & events. I was lucky however to edit, from home, on projects for Amazon Kindle, Amazon Black Friday, Mastercard and very proud to have helped local charitable trust Kendall & Wall secure lottery funding.
As for software, my weapon of choice is Final Cut Pro and Motion, but I also have a good knowledge and broadcast credits with Adobe Premiere Pro, MOGRT design and Photoshop.
Plugin Design & Development
I'm the creative force behind Idustrial Revolution, one of the oldest Final Cut Pro plugin developers. It hosts a range of commercial and free plugins on the site. One free plugin was downloaded over a thousand times within 24 hours of release.
I also take on custom work, whether it is adapting an existing plugin for a special use or designing new plugins for clients from scratch. Having a good knowledge of editing allows me to build-in flexibility and more importantly, usability.
FCP.co
Now in its 10th year and 4th redesign, running FCP.co has given me knowledge on how to run a large CMS- you are currently reading my bio from the database! Although it sounds corny, I am pretty well up on social media trends & techniques, especially in the video sector. The recent Covid restrictions has enabled live FCP.co shows online. This involves managing a Zoom Webinar through Restream.io to YouTube and Facebook.
The Future
I'm always open to new ideas and opportunities, so please get in touch at editor (at) fcp.co. I've judged film competitions, presented workflow techniques to international audiences and come up with ideas for TV shows and software programs!
