A quick tip to start the week off with. Did you know that you can add a list of keywords right into the Keyword Editor without having to click each field first?
One thing we have learnt over the many years of using different types of software is that there's always things you don't know. Even if you've been using the same piece of software for years, there's always new things you can learn from other editors.
This tip from Ravin Apte (An Apple Certified Trainer in FCPX and Motion) is one of those we probably do know, but it is always good to get a refresh, it even made us power up FCPX and test it out. You will see our comments in italic.
We will let Ravin explain:
I am a big fan of Keyword Collections in FCPX and always enter the first nine keywords using the following method. This method works only when an Event is empty or Browser is set to List View and all clips are deselected (important). (Just to add here we can do this in the Icon View as long as no clip has been selected - which takes a bit of clicking to deactivate.)
When you open the Keyword Editor for the first time, all shortcut fields are empty
Make sure that the Keyword Editor doesn't show any clip name at the top of the editor.
In this example I am using following nine keywords :
First
Second
Third
Forth
Fifth
Sixth
Seventh
Eighth
Ninth
To enter these keywords in respective shortcut fields, use ,(comma) as a delimiter. So start typing keywords in empty field at the top of editor and use commas as separators
First,Second,Third,Forth,Fifth,Sixth,Seventh,Eighth,Ninth As soon as you type ,(comma) it is updated in the shortcut field next to shortcut button. (This also possibly works with return)
This method will not work using copy and paste keywords from a single line e.g.
First,Second,Third,Forth,Fifth,Sixth,Seventh,Eighth,Ninth
If you copy above line and paste it then these nine separate keywords will be assigned to first shortcut button
A great tip from Ravin and it got us exploring more about Keywords. We came across this Knowledge Base article from Apple (It mentions hitting return) which is worth a read just to refresh the exact keywording process.
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.
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!
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