Final Cut Express - Worth it?

[PoconoPCDoctor]

I am making a movie for the Tropfest / Tribeca Film festival. I am so far going to use Apple's built in Movie HD 6, but wanted to know if FCE offered more control over edits, etc.

Let me stress that I am as noob as they come to the world of digital video editing.

I just want to do some basic transitions, have the titles and credits look professional, and be able to edit the sound track by adding some music or narration.

Anyway, any advice on this would be gratefully appreciated. :hv20-smilie77:

[thewinelake]

If you want multiple video channels, iMovie won't cut the mustard. I've also heard (here or elsewhere) that iMovie degrades the image a bit compared to FCE or FCP.

But - if your requirements really are as simple as you say, then it's a hell of a lot quicker to learn!

[skinnyboy]

Final Cut is harder to learn, but a lot easier to use once you get past the initial learning curve.
Try iMovie since you already have it, and if it doesn't do what you want, then cough up the money...

[PoconoPCDoctor]

If you want multiple video channels, iMovie won't cut the mustard. I've also heard (here or elsewhere) that iMovie degrades the image a bit compared to FCE or FCP.

But - if your requirements really are as simple as you say, then it's a hell of a lot quicker to learn!

Since the deadline for submission is fast approaching (8/10/2007) and I still have some shooting to do, the simpler the better.

By "multiple video channels" you mean???

I bought David Pougue's book on iMovie, but if the result is really bad, I think I'll buy FCE.

One question begets another - - - if I have multiple "projects" - that's how iMovie makes you name and save the video when you transfer it to the computer, can I get clips from multiple projects and combine them into one new project?

Thanks for your help - now where IS that Pogue book! :hv20-smilie50:

[max99]

Check out the Apple forums for FCE and/or iMovie. There are tons of posts comparing the two.

UPDATE: I am deleting what I said about non-destructive editing. Looks like both FCE and iMovie use it: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301842.

iMovie is easy-up and easy-going. Very automated and novice-friendly. A fantastic product all-around, for beginner or even for the pro who has basic needs.

FCE uses the same interface as FCP, and provides a lot more control. You can add titles where-ever you want in the frame, put video tracks on top of one another, use Soundtrack (bundled with FCE?) to better align your audio with the picture. I think it is worth the time and effort to learn this application.

BUT, again, if your needs are straight-forward, then iMovie would be fine.

[Simon Hughes]

Just be aware in your decision making that FCE does NOT allow you to work with 24P.

[rsovitzky]

Max99:

iMovie does NOT trash edited clips. On the contrary, one can revert to the original for any edited clip.

Rick

[max99]

On iMovie trashing clips: When I used to use iMovie, I would capture all the footage in the Clip window. Then I would drag it from the Clip window to the timeline (i.e. it would no longer be in the Clip window). Then, e.g., I would cut the clip in half and trash the half I don't need. Then I would empty the trash, and watch as my computer hard-drive went from, e.g., 14.5gbs free, to 15gbs free.

Are you saying that, after this process, if I selected the half of the clip that I saved in the timeline, that I could restore it so that it was the full clip again?

UPDATE: Allow me to answer my own question. It looks like iMovie also uses non-destructive editing (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301842). Is this a change in recent years? It wasn't like this when I used to use it years ago.

[rsovitzky]

Oh - no no.

Certainly, intentional trashing is trashing. I was responding to the implication that merely cutting or cropping a clip meant that you lost everything else. Those clips remain safe and sound :)

Rick

[themixguy]

"Multiple video tracks" refers to the ability to place one (or more) video clips in the viewer at once: think picture-in-picture. You could have a main video filling the screen and a talking head video down in one corner. There are LOTS of controls to control your video frames, resizing them, rotating them, moving them around, animating effects to happen over time, etc. TONS of control but that flexibility comes at a cost. The cost is a more complicated interface and workflow. But certainly not unthinkable. iMovie is to FCE/FCP as iPhoto is to Photoshop. You can get great results with both. I use FCE on major projects and lean on iMovie when I need to knock something out quickly. By your description of your needs and deadline, I would encourage you to concentrate on iMovie and focus on getting your project done, NOT learning a new program under the gun.

[PoconoPCDoctor]

By your description of your needs and deadline, I would encourage you to concentrate on iMovie and focus on getting your project done, NOT learning a new program under the gun.

You are so right. I just tested burning the project to iDVD last night. It worked, but I still have some final editing to do.

Such AS....

1. Fixing audio levels on some voice-overs or re-record.
2. Correcting some stills to match narration - shrink or expand.
3. Complete Credits.
4. Make label for DVD.
5. Check that DVD plays in DVD player attached to my TV.
6. Add last-minute stills (should be e-mailed to me on Thursday).
7. Complete entry form and drop off to Festival before 6:00 PM Friday.
8. WRAP PARTY!!!!!:hv20-smilie81: