certification?

M

milleto

Well-known member
Hi.

I'm interested in becoming a FCP editor. I have done some documenting performances on my panasonic dvx100a, I use FCP5 and even though I haven't made anything for a profesional job where I could use some cool fancy effects I'm pretty good at leaning how to use the program on my own.

I'm moving to Venezuela and I know that they are short on editors down there. I thought it will be a good place for me to gain some experience and hopefully get some good jobs.
So, my question is:

I live in NYC now and I thought it will be good to get a certification before I go south.

Where will be a good place to get a FCP certification?
If anyone have done it, please can you share your experience.
Do you think is worthy to spend that kind of money in a certification?
What will you rather do?
Any ideas of how much it could cost?
Any suggestion for a guy who wants to start in this field?

I hope this is not off topic and hope for some inside knowlege from the pro, for anyone like me.

Much appreciated.

Thanks
Milleto

DVX100a
Dual Core G5
FCP5
 
If you are looking to get a job training/teaching people then getting certification could help in that respect, but if you are looking for editing jobs I don't think have "FCP certified" on your resumé would help out at much. W/that being said, if you are looking to become more familiar w/the program itself (various functions, keyboard short cuts, settings, etc.,) then taking some training classes could help in that respect, but I wouldn't put that on your resumé, IMO.

-A
 
What is the thing to do to become an FCP editor then?

Please any guides will be nice.

Thanks adkimery for clearing that out for me...what should I do? any ideas?

Peace
 
thanks Jim.

Now I'm confused if that "certification" is what I need.

If I want to become an editor ..what is the best way to it?

I'm trying to get started but I'm not sure how to go about it.

Thanks to all.
 
If you just want to be a FCP Editor then go buy the program, learn to use it, and voila! Dont concern yourself with certification unless you think it will make yourself more marketable. I myself am a "premiere editor" I guess. If I wanted to be a "FCP editor" I'll go buy a Mac, figure out the software and then I'll be one. There isnt any magic anything you have to do other than be proficient in the software as well as know how to edit.
 
milleto said:
If I want to become an editor ..what is the best way to it?

I'm trying to get started but I'm not sure how to go about it.
Click to expand...

Get yourself an solid NLE (sounds like a Macbook Pro in your case). Start cutting as many projects as you can to build up your reel and your experience. This takes time but that's how it goes. In NY I don't see any reason why you should have a shortage of projects to cut, especially if you are starting out and offering low/no/deffered compensation.

You mentioned certification...

If you want to get certified, then you should take the training course, as they go by the book that covers the material that is on the exam.

I have to disagree with other posters about the value of a certification. I have been hired over other editors for no reason other than I was certified. Saying that, I was probably more experienced too, but I know most clients won't watch 20 pieces of your work to see that.

The certification exam is kinda hard, ESPECIALLY if you're not too experienced with the app. Apple Certified training centers will give you very focused, very expensive training, at something like $250 a day for 3-5 day courses.. very intesive and you can learn a lot in a short time. Worth it if you have money but no time. If you have time but no money, then look into community college courses where a basic FCP editing class is offered, OR repeating what I said earlier, teach yourself... go buy a book and do the lessons, take on projects and get to cutting.
 
Sorry, but:

If you want to become an editor, then: Edit -;)
Simple as that! (and hard)

Edit as much as you can WHILE analysing movies or documentaries or whatever to see how and why things were edited the way it was.

I think it's an advantage to have some knowledge of camera-work as an editor and vice versa. Others may strongly disagree.

There are some formal "tricks"/knowledges to be learned, but those won't make you an editor.

If you have the chance, sit in as a handyman/slave log'er or whatever with some experienced people. See what they do and why.

Use your head and trust your choices, while still relating to technical formalities and demands for the different delivery routes.

have fun!

That kind of covers it...

sorta...

Cheers!

Gunleik
 
That was great. my most sincere thanks to you. I will follow your advices.

I guess I was more or less trying to decide if I can do it by myself or go to some sort of school or take some courses.

I have some experience with camera as I own a PA DVX100a, but so far only documenting dance performances and one time I shot a conference. I know somethings about the camera and setting but not as well as I will like, beside I can't get to fancy shooting live dance performances (theaters). I also own a Dual core 2.0 G5 with Final Cut 5, so again, only made straight forward edits of performances and made DVD and some text in Motion. I have learn some cool things on my own but what I've done only requieres symple edits.

I guess I need to find other people with more experience that I can work with, that iis the tricky part. I will look for that, and I will try to make some small projects on my own where I can practices and as you recomended use as a promo reel.

Certification or not? Maybe, it wont hurt, maybe I could study on my own and just pay for the exam, or maybe it'll be worthy to spend some $ on that. It might help in the long run.

Thank you, thank you, Thank you.
osmany Tellez
 
Certification is great for your resume and networking. Doesn't make you a good editor but it can be quite helpful in helping you make contacts and get gigs.

Noah
 
Thanks Noah. i will take that in cosideration...I'll take a look into it.
You all are the best.
Osmany
 
i am looking into getting certified as well. i've been using Final Cut since 2003, i would assume that i know enough to just pay to take the test and not go through the training course.... anybody else done it this way with sucess? Sorry for hijacking the post Milleto.
 
It's a valid question. I've been editing on FCP for a few years, but I would guess there are gaps in my knowledge that would show up on the test.
 
I have not personally taken it but have heard that many of the questions are worded right out of the book. So that means you may know how to do something but it might be explained a different way in the book that you wouldn't know. I think it is very technically driven rather then common sense type questions. (I think?) Like someone before said, the test will say that you know Final Cut and how to use it. But it may not say you know how to edit.

(again, the above is only what I have heard)
 
jcskeeter said:
ou may know how to do something but it might be explained a different way in the book that you wouldn't know.
Click to expand...

You pretty much nailed it.

You might know that the keyboard command tttt does, but maybe not what Final Cut refers to it as. I had used FC heavily since 1.0, and took the course and test for 4.0. If I had not taken the class I would have done miserably on the test. Even with the class, I only passed by one question. (80% required to pass)

If you can't afford the class, buy the book they test from (Apple Pro Training Series) and do each lesson. At the end of each lesson there are review questions and keyboard shortcuts. Cram those into your brain until you can take no more, then keep cramming. Then you would have a chance. In the training classes, often the instructors will say things like, "this next item is important.... you may want to write ti down" when it's a test item.

The tests are purposely worded oddly and made to confuse. I just took the Motion test and I felt like Bill Clinton, asking the definition of the word "is". Sometimes there are two right answers, and you have to pick the one that is "more correct".

It is pricey for the class, but it includes the test. Do like me and have your work pay for it ;)
 
Yeah my work wants me to become certified but they think that I could just take the test and save them some money. We do have the FCP 5 basic and advanced training books, I have skimmed through a few lessons. Do you think I would need to go through the advanced book as well?

It's funny though, an editor who I use to work with was certified and he was the worst editor. He was eventually let go. I thought, man if this guy could pass it then I most certainly could.
 
I'd really suggest going through the "Apple Pro Training Series" book, as that is what the questions are pulled from.

If you can answer all the questions at the end of each chapter, then go for it.
 
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