Steve Laramie
Veteran
is it worth the money and time to get certified in final cut?
final cut pro certification
- Thread starter Steve Laramie
- Start date
CaptainMench
Carbonite Member
Sure -- if it makes you smarter.
Nice to have that on your resume... but I'm sure less than half the people who hire you would even care. But like I said above... if it makes you a better editor...
CaptM
Nice to have that on your resume... but I'm sure less than half the people who hire you would even care. But like I said above... if it makes you a better editor...
CaptM
Steve Laramie
Veteran
just want to score brownie points with future employers
Charlie Anderson
Not so clever
Find someone to pay for it, I was able to talk the company I did an internship for pay for my certification
Steve Laramie
Veteran
That would be nice but I do freelance and havnt gone to film school yet so I need something to set myself apart in the time being.
adkimery
Veteran
stuckfootage
Well-known member
I tend to think certificates don't help that much in the job market,
but it does show that you worked at it, which is a good sign.
For me, getting certification was a motivation to really learn the software
instead of just playing around and asking questions on user groups.
Here's how:
Step 1. Buy this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Pro-Training-Final-Cut/dp/0321502655
It is the best way to train for the test. Excellent writing.
Read the book cover to cover, review, make sure you can answer
every review question. Backwards and forwards.
Step 2. Take the test.
Find a local school that offers the test. Apple charges the schools US$50
to administer each test. The typical price for the end user is $150.
The test is about 80 questions, 2 hours, multiple choice, and it is DIFFICULT.
Step 3. Enjoy the glow of being a pro.
(For level 2 and level 3, you are required to take a class, which can be
quite expensive. So the Level 1 test is a pretty good deal.)
Les
but it does show that you worked at it, which is a good sign.
For me, getting certification was a motivation to really learn the software
instead of just playing around and asking questions on user groups.
Here's how:
Step 1. Buy this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Pro-Training-Final-Cut/dp/0321502655
It is the best way to train for the test. Excellent writing.
Read the book cover to cover, review, make sure you can answer
every review question. Backwards and forwards.
Step 2. Take the test.
Find a local school that offers the test. Apple charges the schools US$50
to administer each test. The typical price for the end user is $150.
The test is about 80 questions, 2 hours, multiple choice, and it is DIFFICULT.
Step 3. Enjoy the glow of being a pro.
(For level 2 and level 3, you are required to take a class, which can be
quite expensive. So the Level 1 test is a pretty good deal.)
Les
Chris Santucci
Veteran
648 PAGES!
Yeowch.
.
Yeowch.
.
Nik Manning
Well-known member
Prices must be going up because I paid $150 for my Certification. I also bought the book read it 2 times. Don't really focus on remembering all the keyboard shortcuts as they only asked the very basics. Help me get my a job in Cali. Since I don't work there anymore I got paid 42K and had a associates degree and a FCP certification. That was what I asked for so happy to come to Cali. So yes get the certification if it is still $150 and bring it up at least 3 times during your interview. 
stuckfootage
Well-known member
I just finished the test earlier this evening... So I can only say it
was worth it to me to challenge myself to really learn the software.
As a relative newcomer to the field I feel that it's important to have
something to point to that shows that I'm serious about the work.
To get my foot in the door... will this be it? I don't know... worth a shot.
There are a lot of pages and a wealth of information within the book BUT it
goes pretty quickly... like a previous poster stated above - lots of pics.
The book is the one by Diane Weynand and the test and the book
go hand in hand.
As for the test itself it really does delve deep into some of the
minutae of the software...it's NOT easy. The way one question about three
point editing was worded really had me stumped for a few minutes.
There were a few 'gimmes' but most of the test is a real challenge..
The testing proctor told me that in his 6 years he's only seen
'one or two' scores in the 90s. It takes 80 to pass.
You can take the Level 1 Exam by paying the $150 fee and
study at your own pace. The Level 2 Exam requires that you
take the Level 2 Course -- at $1500 I won't be doing it.
I did come away with a greater respect for those that have
the certification... it's not a small thing.
was worth it to me to challenge myself to really learn the software.
As a relative newcomer to the field I feel that it's important to have
something to point to that shows that I'm serious about the work.
To get my foot in the door... will this be it? I don't know... worth a shot.
There are a lot of pages and a wealth of information within the book BUT it
goes pretty quickly... like a previous poster stated above - lots of pics.
The book is the one by Diane Weynand and the test and the book
go hand in hand.
As for the test itself it really does delve deep into some of the
minutae of the software...it's NOT easy. The way one question about three
point editing was worded really had me stumped for a few minutes.
There were a few 'gimmes' but most of the test is a real challenge..
The testing proctor told me that in his 6 years he's only seen
'one or two' scores in the 90s. It takes 80 to pass.
You can take the Level 1 Exam by paying the $150 fee and
study at your own pace. The Level 2 Exam requires that you
take the Level 2 Course -- at $1500 I won't be doing it.
I did come away with a greater respect for those that have
the certification... it's not a small thing.
MikeWilkinson
Veteran
It does help to set you apart. I have had clients hire me over others based soley on my certification. I recently taught an advanced class, which was kind of in between level 1 and level 2. Makes me think about wanting to take the level two test... but I doubt it would get me more work.. just something to make me feel better about myself
stuckfootage
Well-known member
Congratulations, Redrue!
You inspired me to put my certifications on my signature (below).
There are jillions of people using advanced software and hardware,
but very few who read the manual.
Good luck!
MikeWilkinson
Veteran
Stop posting. Get cramming. Know about the topics in the review sections of each chapter of the training book.
Know about the topics in the review sections of each chapter of the training book.
stuckfootage
Well-known member
definitely memorize all the review questions and special tips
in the weynand book.
open up the interface and clearly identify and understand every
little icon/thingy and how it works.
as you study the book, make sure you are really understanding
each and every idea.
when you take the test, take enough time to understand the question
and the answers, then pick the best answer. if you're a little unsure,
check the "review later" button or whatever it's called, and move on.
then come back and retackle those questions.
good luck!
in the weynand book.
open up the interface and clearly identify and understand every
little icon/thingy and how it works.
as you study the book, make sure you are really understanding
each and every idea.
when you take the test, take enough time to understand the question
and the answers, then pick the best answer. if you're a little unsure,
check the "review later" button or whatever it's called, and move on.
then come back and retackle those questions.
good luck!