New FCP APTS book on CC'ing!

[bbalser]

New book out for FCP editors!

APTS, Encyclopedia of Color Correction/Field Techniques Using Final Cut Pro

Book Description
This advanced, Apple-certified guide to video and film color correction picks up where APTS: Advanced Color Correction and Effects in Final Cut Pro leaves off. The book assumes a basic knowledge of the mechanics of color correction, and focuses on the field-tested techniques professional colorists use to obtain superb color grading and effects in film. Extremely practical, the book works step-by-step through real-world examples of the problems and challenges colorists face most frequently. Written by video professional Alexis Van Hurkman and updated for Final Cut Pro 5, this book provides comprehensive training in the real-world color correction and management skills editing pros use every day in the field the equivalent of a five-day course in one project-based book. Each chapter presents a complete lesson in some aspect of color correction, with hands-on projects for readers to complete as they go. Readers will learn how to maximize quality when color-correcting with Final Cut Pro, scene-to-scene color matching, correcting for broadcast specifications, changing color corrections midstream, day-for-night treatments, and more.

About the Author
Alexis Van Hurkman has worked for over 12 years as a writer, director, visual effects artist, and colorist. He was also the lead writer of the companion book Apple Pro Training Series: Advanced Color Correction and Effects in Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Pro User Manual for versions 2, 3, and 4, and of the Shake User Manual for versions 3.5 and 4. As a postproduction artist, Alexis has contributed effects for and color corrected a wide variety of commercial and independent projects, including a collaboration with Harrel Fletcher and Elizabeth Meyer on The Forbidden Zone. Most recently he completed the feature Four Weeks, Four Hours, which he wrote, directed, and produced.

Link
http://www.peachpit.com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=0321432312&rl=1&ns=5483

 

[kwoff]

BenB--Thanks for the heads up. I am curious how much you think this new book adds to the APTS Advanced Color Correction and Effects for FCP 5 book that has been available for a few months. Is the info in this book very FCP 5-specific or would what you learn from it translate to CCing in Shake or using Colorista in FCP or After Effects? Thanks for any mini-review you can provide. Kevin

 

[bbalser]

As the title states, it's FCP specific. But color grading translates to just about any NLE once you understand the concepts. I've only glanced at someone's copy so far. Mine should be showing up any day now. Talking to someone I know who actually already has the book (how'd he get it so fast?), it is like the discription above, "picks up where" the original book leaves off. From the little I know, there's a little bit of overlap, but it gets more advanced with grading than the first book. As soon as my copy shows up, I'll post here with some first hand specifics.

 

[bbalser]

Ok, here's the big review, now that I've had a copy in my hands for a couple of hours.

It really does pick up where the "Advanced Color Correction and Effects..." book leaves off. Thus, my own recommendation is, do that book FIRST! It will get you up to speed faster, as the same material in this book is skimmed, and not at the begining. So, do the "Advanced Color Correction and Effects..." book BEFORE you get this one.

But when you get to that point, and you want to know more, this is THE book on color grading techniques and tricks. It is so packed with info, it's an amazing book. Many of the color grading questions and problems posted here are answered with authority by this book!

Do you know how to create depth of field using a gradient generator?
Do you know how to design a room for use as a color grading suite, and why?
Do you know why FCP's color grading tools are more flexible than After Effects?

The first two chapters are MUST READ for anyone honestly serious about being a "real" colorist. It covers all sorts of techniques and tools. I'm a certified FCP trainer, and this book shows how to use tools and filters for grading I never thought of.

Here's a few titles from the TOC in the book:
Animating color changes (and lighting)
Bleach Bypass Looks
Complementary colors
contrast and perception
day for night (4 chapters)
Filters (Y'CbCr vs. RGB Proecessing)
Gamma (Imported and Exported Media...)
HSB color space
IRE and Millivots
Lens vignetting
Quality Control
Skin tone (3 chapters)
Titles and grahics
Underexposure
Video Noise and Film Grain (3 chapters)

The information is professional, and presented in a very understandable way. It comes with a DVD of tutorial material so you can go step by step along with the examples. There is nothing like this out, especially for FCP users.

It covers all the luma/gamma/chroma problems with Importing, Exporting, and transcoding footage. It really is an amazing book. Very worth the money. But, do the first book first, do this one second, and you're on your way to being a "real" colorist.

 

[VaricamLife]

Thanks for the detailed review Ben. Certainly sounds like a great 1-2 punch with both books in hand. Am tempted to pick up the new one here on the road, but as we're nearing wrap I'll probably just have to wait till I'm home. Very curious to give it a read though after your description.

cheers.

 

[kwoff]

Thanks for the review, Ben. I am in the process of trying to improve my CC skills, and liked the first APTS book. It sounds like this new one is just what I may need to continue the effort.

Kevin

 

[bbalser]

Dude's, y'all are gonna be impressed. It's an awesome book. The more I read, the more I love it.

Thanks "you know who" for the spelling corrections!

This one and the Compressor Quick-Start Reference are both great releases in this library. I have a feeling Apple is really ramping up this APTS library, too. I wouldn't be suprised to see more of this type of thing. Setting the pace for the rest of the industry.