Final Cut Pro 4 On the Spot : Timesaving Tips and Shortcuts from the Pros

Rating:
Summary: A easy read with great tips
Review: Harrington and Shapiro have written a book that is actually fun to read. Not many books of this nature are full of humor and good solid advice. It reminds me of having the friends you use as tech support bound into a book. Each chapter is full of short, quick tips and techiques for the beginner and the seasoned professional. It is a must for those editors that are migrating from other NLE or are considering dipping their toes in the FCP world for the first time.

Rating:
Summary: A easy read with great tips
Review: Harrington and Shapiro have written a book that is actually fun to read. Not many books of this nature are full of humor and good solid advice. It reminds me of having the friends you use as tech support bound into a book. Each chapter is full of short, quick tips and techiques for the beginner and the seasoned professional. It is a must for those editors that are migrating from other NLE or are considering dipping their toes in the FCP world for the first time.

Rating:
Summary: Exactly what is needed for instruction.
Review: I am a high school teacher that uses Final Cut Pro on a daily level in and out of the classroom (the class produces weekly programming). Looking for printed materials for FCP usually brings HUGE step-by-step manual-like books. This new book brings a refeshing look at Final Cut Pro. It offers insightful, useful tips, and instructions I can use and share with my students. It reminds me of the Photoshop WOW books. Since I have shared this book with students, three purchased it immediately. Other reviews offer great details about this book; I HIGHLY recommend this book. It is a must have in your FCP library.

Rating:
Summary: Great Tips for the Real World
Review: I like the forrmat of this book! the information is in small, concise nuggets, and it's a great mix of some of the more obscure features of FCP, practical tips on how to use features of the progam to make your work look and sound better, system tips, and ideas about your creativity and workflow.
The fact that it's not just about "where are the buttons in FCP" makes this a much more valuable book. The authors are obviously familiar with real-world post-production situations. It's a keeper.

Rating:
Summary: Great Tips for the Real World
Review: I like the forrmat of this book! the information is in small, concise nuggets, and it's a great mix of some of the more obscure features of FCP, practical tips on how to use features of the progam to make your work look and sound better, system tips, and ideas about your creativity and workflow.
The fact that it's not just about "where are the buttons in FCP" makes this a much more valuable book. The authors are obviously familiar with real-world post-production situations. It's a keeper.

Rating:
Summary: Great Little Reference
Review: I've been working with FCP since version 1 and I feel as if I have a very good handle on all the features. But, I was amazed as I flipped through this book at how well organized and concise the information was presented. It reminded me of some features that I'd forgotton about because I don't use them very often.
A Great Little Reference, and idea book. Worth keeping around and flipping through from time to time to refresh the ole gray matter.

Rating:
Summary: Great Little Reference
Review: I've been working with FCP since version 1 and I feel as if I have a very good handle on all the features. But, I was amazed as I flipped through this book at how well organized and concise the information was presented. It reminded me of some features that I'd forgotton about because I don't use them very often.
A Great Little Reference, and idea book. Worth keeping around and flipping through from time to time to refresh the ole gray matter.

Rating:
Summary: On the Spot should be on your Desk
Review: In whats becoming a crowded field of Final Cut reading options, this book stands out. This book is a must have for FCP users of all levels. A clever combination of practical tips in combination with power user and even system troubleshooting that will keep your FCP sessions purring. Kudos to the Authors!

Rating:
Summary: THE FCP book to take on a road trip
Review: Mr. Shapiro and Mr. Harrington have co-authored a wonderfully concise tome that travels well. I believe the authors love this video editing application, and their enthusiasm is contagious in this well distilled volume. Miles from your edit suite, you can pick up the book and get production hints that will help you to become faster and more creative when you return to the office. Free from filler, every page informs. Bravo!

Rating:
Summary: A "Must Read" for FCP and Macintosh Users
Review: There are few technical books that, once read, leave one wishing for even more... "Final Cut Pro 4 On The Spot" is not only a tome of superb hints and tips for using Final Cut Pro 4 to its utmost, but also packages together suggestions for those "rare" times your Macintosh decides to present you with various problems. Everything from the PRAM bustle to the use of the Unix command FSCK is presented to the reader, enabling you to correct many of the minor problems that can afflict your work, your OS and your machine.
This book presents all of the information in bite-sized, easily digestible and well-written, concise paragraphs. With topics that run the gamet from learning how to set-up your own FCP 4.0 interface, to establishing user settings that'll save you time and agony, to creating titles and transitions that are truly amazing, this book does it all. Included are sections on how to manage your media, how to export your videos, enhancing and troubleshooting your audio mixes... this book is worth FAR more than the price of entry.
In fact, Apple Computer should consider packaging this book in with the FCP software itself, it's that competent in its serving of knowledge. As an ex-Apple employee, and a publisher with dozens of magazines and books to my credit during my chequered history, this is one of the finest techincal books I have had the pleasure to read and employ in gaining a better understanding of Apple's superior NLE, FCP 4.0.
CMP Books should certainly continue to access the talents of authors Richard Harrington and Abba Shapiro for their future DV Expert Series publications. If you work with FCP, purchase this book and learn how to truly professionalize your work with some amazing tips and shortcuts. "Final Cut Pro 4 On The Spot" is definitely an award-winner, in and of itself.