My tools....do you have any recommendations for me?

I own a MacBook Pro with Mac OS X 10.6.8
Recently upgraded it to 4GB and I've been attempting to make videos with Final Cut Pro X.
(I have uploaded a few to my youtube channel)

Since I have plans to start shooting with Canon 7D, I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions for me. Is it possible for me to continue working with these tools.
Can I accomplish good editing after adding G-Drive to my setting?

Yes. I'm new to Final Cut Pro X which is the program I use
but I have found myself very passionate about editing.

By the way, if you are in the Los Angeles area I would love to associate with any of you creative minds to support your project in exchange of learning.

Uhm, if you had to upgrade your MBP to 4GB, how old is that thing? What GPU sits in there? Can you beef it up to 8GB?

My weapon of choice for FCP X is an i7 2010 MBP with a bunch of LaCie FW800 externals. It works perfectly fine on HDV and Canon XF files. I only had some fooling around clips from a 5D, yet, but imported as ProRes, they were easy to handle. YMMV, depending on the age of your MBP.

Yes, that is a very light system to take good advantage of FCPX. The external drive will be a plus, but with 4GB ram you're really going to be limited. I would save up for a current expandable model with the best graphics card you can get if you really plan to use FCPX to its fullest.

Also get to the local users group there, good info floating around. Canon DSLR's work just fine with FCP X. Get some proper training, too, like Ripple Training.

I agree, first how old is you Book? Do you have a budget to get a new book?
Lets say you are not in the position updating to a new computer. Stick with G-Tech drives you won't regret it. Also as Ben mention training is good but I would also look into some literature of the nature of editing.
Knowing and understanding why and how to edit is more powerful then knowing the tool.

Learn the tool, learn the language of editing, both are equally important. There's an out of print book called "Craft Of Editing" based on FCP 7, by Micheal Whol, which is really good. Tons of misinformation about editing for beginners out there. It's a language, but everyone insists it's a "mystery". Professional egos trying to protect their domain. Editing can be taught just like rebuilding carburetors. I've been doing it for years. But the language and the tools are equally important. Otherwise you do good edits and take too much time to meet deadlines. Or you meet deadlines with lousy edits. No reason you can't learn both equally well at the same time.

This is true but again the tools change and are easier to learn if you know the core basics.
Storytelling on the other hand well.

Tools, language, both are equally important. All my years of teaching both...

Einstein doesn't agree on this one. :lol:

Scrubelicious wrote: Einstein doesn't agree on this one. :lol:

He was not an editor. Neither has to be more important than the other. Equal importance professionally.

I'd say that if you know the language, you have less problems to switch from tool to tool.
The switch has more to deal with idiosyncrasies of a UI than anything else.

Only FCP X has changed the paradigm of "if you know one, then you know all of them" a bit with its interface. That might be one reason why some "professionals" fight FCP X with tooth and claw. Afraid of change?

Professional egos trying to protect their domain

Nicely said!

BenB wrote:

Scrubelicious wrote: Einstein doesn't agree on this one. :lol:

He was not an editor. Neither has to be more important than the other. Equal importance professionally.

Nope but he was genius! A course it is important for you software training is part of your job! :lol:

Yes, education is part of my vocation. I have an education degree, I've been involved with technical education my whole life. Yes, it is part of my vocation, I have decades of experience and knowledge about it. So thank you for pointing out that I am a trained, experienced, skilled, and very knowledgeable education professional, and happen to teach post-production as part of my vocation. But what is the point?

BenB wrote: Yes, education is part of my vocation. I have an education degree, I've been involved with technical education my whole life. Yes, it is part of my vocation, I have decades of experience and knowledge about it. So thank you for pointing out that I am a trained, experienced, skilled, and very knowledgeable education professional, and happen to teach post-production as part of my vocation. But what is the point?

I don't know about all that :evil: , but point of the nature you are saying how equally important software education is to the craft itself, a course since you have personally attachment.
As a experienced 3D artist and editor is... knowing the software does not make you the craftsman or in this industry the creative core. Knowing both is 120% but the core is still highly important.

But closing this since we are going of topic...

So you place no value on education (although you needed it to get where you personally are now as much as graphics skills), since you don't make money off of people learning technical skills as well as artistic skills.

Really? That's just pretty silly to place one above the other. Sit with as many editors, grahpic artists, colorists, etc, as I have done over the years. Then we'll continue this conversation.

Yes, change the subject. I don't take kindly to someone who has no clue who I am going on the attack just because I'm an educator. That's pretty low.

Okay, now you are being silly and your not understanding.
I never said there is no value in any form of education but fact is knowing Final Cut Pro or any other NLE tool does not make you a editor. The core value is more crucial trade of storytelling... as a trainer this is something you should know right? Even Apple suggest you knowing editing before going in in the Certification program.
Example one knowing how to hold a hammer does not make you carpenter...
Example two knowing how to write does not make you a author...

I have been doing this over 10 years 14 to be exact on three different continents I just don't brag about it. So I think I have been there and done that if you like to say.
Ben why do you always get personally affronted no attack from me but calling me low because I am realist... yeah.

You accused me of slanting an argument because I make money off of education. Nothing could be further from the truth. You're oversimplifying. If you know the theory of carpentry, but don't know how to properly use a hammer, you're useless as a carpenter.

You were the one who originally said I was wrong due to some political agenda. You do that to me often here. I'm just stating facts, not bragging. But when you regularly challenge my integrity or expertise, that's very odd.

I am not slanting anything because you are making money of eduction. There is nothing wrong with that I myself have worked for a college in Texas... don't know where you get the political agenda from, sounds political to me.

Never said you don't need know both. I am saying the core is highly important then the tool.
For one tools change and are easier to learn.
I went through one linear system and five non linear system but the core the way (a course there is, your, personal touch) of storytelling followed.

Never said you where bragging I wrote that I don't swagger about it. If your facts are being regularly challenge then give me the guidance and I stand corrected. Still waiting today for the fcp.co/forum/6-motion-5/5235-possible-ae...ion-5-converter#5285 Apple Motion vs After Effects, side note your integrity or expertise have been challenged at the Cow without any response, that's is odd.

I guess my stand is invest more creativity, time and money in the foundation of Editing then tool.
NO not saying only the foundation both are important!

And your is invest in same amount of time and money in both. I guess everybody else needs know what is better for them selfs. Like Spielberg or Fincher did

Sorry about the link format...