Is Final Cut Really, REALLY a Requirement for Editors?

H

HollywoodDreams

Member
I just had a question for those of you that work as freelance editors. I recently wrapped up an internship where it was beat into my head that Final Cut Pro was the industry standard that had to be used, without question.

My question is, as freelancers or indie filmmakers, why does it matter which editing suite you use? I understand if you're working at a post house and needing to know the specific software that they use, but if you're just doing your own thing, does it really matter? The FCP file never gets delivered to the anyone does it?

I'm not asking to spark a FCP vs APP war. My dad actually made me a deal. "Quit the internship and I'll buy you a mac so that you can still learn FCP and get some practice by filming the things you've already written". :huh: Needless to say, he didn't have to ask me twice!

Now, as I look at this $2,600 machine in my shopping cart, I can't help but wonder if this is really necessary. Does anyone really know/care what software you use to edit? I am partial to Adobe, because I've been using it off and on since 2006 and it's my comfort zone. I did like FCP when I used it (version 7) but I don't want to make my dad spend all of this money if it's not necessary. I'd love to hear what you all think.

Thanks
 
It really doesn't matter what you use, as long as you know how to use it well. I'm a Premiere Pro user on Windows. You can get a project out of anything (except FCPX I think) and import it into Premiere and finish it. The myth that real filmmakers use Macs and use FCP is exactly that.
 
HollywoodDreams said:
I just had a question for those of you that work as freelance editors. I recently wrapped up an internship where it was beat into my head that Final Cut Pro was the industry standard that had to be used, without question.

My question is, as freelancers or indie filmmakers, why does it matter which editing suite you use? I understand if you're working at a post house and needing to know the specific software that they use, but if you're just doing your own thing, does it really matter? The FCP file never gets delivered to the anyone does it?

I'm not asking to spark a FCP vs APP war. My dad actually made me a deal. "Quit the internship and I'll buy you a mac so that you can still learn FCP and get some practice by filming the things you've already written". :huh: Needless to say, he didn't have to ask me twice!

Now, as I look at this $2,600 machine in my shopping cart, I can't help but wonder if this is really necessary. Does anyone really know/care what software you use to edit? I am partial to Adobe, because I've been using it off and on since 2006 and it's my comfort zone. I did like FCP when I used it (version 7) but I don't want to make my dad spend all of this money if it's not necessary. I'd love to hear what you all think.

Thanks
Click to expand...

No, it does not matter. If you're working with others, all that matters is you can give them what they need. Vegas, FCP, Adobe-they're all the same. For instance, I've used Vegas for 10 years. If someone needed a Premiere version, I could export an EDL, open that in After Effects, and from there transfer the edit to Premiere.
 
HollywoodDreams said:
I just had a question for those of you that work as freelance editors. I recently wrapped up an internship where it was beat into my head that Final Cut Pro was the industry standard that had to be used, without question.
Click to expand...

Nice use of past tense. And in the past, this was correct. It *was* the industry standard, but Apple dropped the ball to concentrate their considerable resources on consumer electronics. And they've been rewarded for their choice, with lots of people buying iGagets and lots of people abandoning FCP.

When I faced this problem (which NLE to buy) a couple of years ago, I researched it out and eventually bought the Adobe Production Premium suite. There's little that I need to do that it can't easily handle, so I'm not feeling "left out" or handicapped in any way. Your guys were just beating FCP into your head out of wishful thinking.
 
Bruce Watson said:
Nice use of past tense. And in the past, this was correct. It *was* the industry standard, but Apple dropped the ball to concentrate their considerable resources on consumer electronics. And they've been rewarded for their choice, with lots of people buying iGagets and lots of people abandoning FCP.

When I faced this problem (which NLE to buy) a couple of years ago, I researched it out and eventually bought the Adobe Production Premium suite. There's little that I need to do that it can't easily handle, so I'm not feeling "left out" or handicapped in any way. Your guys were just beating FCP into your head out of wishful thinking.
Click to expand...

LOL, that was actually a typo on my part. They were telling me it IS the standard and if I ever wanted to be considered "professional" then I'd have to use FCP. It felt like brainwashing and I just couldn't see why it would matter what editing suite was being used if you're not working in a post house where you just have to use what they have. That's why I wanted to ask you guys here, as you all would certainly know better than I would. So, I think I'll just save my dad the money and keep using CS5.5 like I've been doing.

Thanks for the replies everyone!
 
Rationally, it does not matter at all. You use the tools that work best for you. However, you might come across singular clients / employers / collaborators who insist you use Final Cut Pro and/or require delivery of a FCP project. Depending on who your regular clients are, this may or may not be an issue. If not, focus on your work and ignore all bad advice.
 
If there's someone who doesn't have any workflow need for it (i.e., you're not collaborating or delivering FCP project files), but who nonetheless insists you work in FCP just because they think you'll do better work in it . . . well, avoid that kind of client.
 
David Jimerson said:
If there's someone who doesn't have any workflow need for it (i.e., you're not collaborating or delivering FCP project files), but who nonetheless insists you work in FCP just because they think you'll do better work in it . . . well, avoid that kind of client.
Click to expand...

+1 This.

Learn to tell stories with all of the major editors out there.
Learn how to grade.
Learn how to mix audio well.

and you will do well.
 
Now is a verry bad moment for jumping on Final Cut.
The industry is in a crisis where the major player (Final Cut) has hone consumer and an outsider (premiere Pro) is growing. My guess is stick with what you have, learn premiere pro cs6 by heart and you may be ahead.

On another hand, it is always good to know multiple NLEs (FCP7 FCPX PPcs6 and Avid MC5/6)to switch from one to the other depending on the need.
 
For the last few years, Avid & Final Cut were the 2 real standards. With the release of FCP-X, some shops are already transitioning away from FCP to either Avid or Premiere.

Avid is still a standard, and if you live & work in a major market there's always a demand for freelance Avid editors. There will still be a (shrinking) demand for freelance FCP editors over the next couple of years, too.

We'll just have to wait & see how much demand there will be fro freelance Premiere or FCP-X editors.

In terms of what you use for your own projects, that's easy. You should cut with whatever software you want to cut with for whatever reason suits you.
 
Personal preference, the industry (Hollywood, industrial, wedding, etc), and client dictate which NLE to use.

No single NLE is a requirement. First and foremost for an editor just beginning, it pays to know the technique and art of film editing.

Secondly, to be marketable as a freelancer, it pays to be proficient with 2-3 of the most popular NLEs. Right now those are Avid, FCP 7, FCPX, Premiere Pro.

Anybody who tells you that one NLE is better than the rest is just telling you their personal preference.

I edit mainly on FCPX, because I prefer the quick editing of the trackless and magnetic timeline and other features not available on FCP 7 and other NLEs. (The noise that FCPX isn't "pro" is just that, noise.)

I also use Lightworks for long-form projects, because I like a lot of its traditional film-based editing workflows.
 
Snazzy Flapper said:
You can get a project out of anything (except FCPX I think)
Click to expand...

You think wrong. People who haven't used an NLE should refrain from commenting on it with outrageous uninformed statements.

The myth that real filmmakers use Macs and use FCP is exactly that.
Click to expand...

I haven't heard of this myth, and I have been editing for 15 years, on Macs and Windows.
 
A professional is not defined by the tools he uses, but rather how he uses them. If you want to edit professionally, learn the craft and then the relevant tools.
 
William_Robinette said:
A professional is not defined by the tools he uses, but rather how he uses them. If you want to edit professionally, learn the craft and then the relevant tools.
Click to expand...

Beautifully said! I might add that a talented, experienced editor should be able to learn any NLE with a little bit of time, effort and the manual or a few good tutorials.
 
VMT said:
You think wrong. People who haven't used an NLE should refrain from commenting on it with outrageous uninformed statements.
Click to expand...

What's with the attack? The only issue I've run into regarding cross-product compatibility is that FCPX won't export the project to XML or an EDL like all of the previous versions. Perhaps the version on the machine isn't the latest and that's been fixed?

Regardless, you're post is nothing but hostile and didn't move the discussion forward. If you're going to disagree at least say why.
 
Snazzy Flapper said:
What's with the attack? The only issue I've run into regarding cross-product compatibility is that FCPX won't export the project to XML or an EDL like all of the previous versions. Perhaps the version on the machine isn't the latest and that's been fixed?

Regardless, you're post is nothing but hostile and didn't move the discussion forward. If you're going to disagree at least say why.
Click to expand...

Wasn't meant as an attack.

You said something to the effect that you can't get a project out of FCPX. I was merely correcting you that yes you can.

I see now that you were talking specifically about XML and EDL exports.

I don't know anyone who still uses EDL, but XML import/export has been available on FCPX since 10.01. There are also third party apps to fill in the gaps.
 
Last edited:
VMT said:
Personal preference, the industry (Hollywood, industrial, wedding, etc), and client dictate which NLE to use.

No single NLE is a requirement. First and foremost for an editor just beginning, it pays to know the technique and art of film editing.

Secondly, to be marketable as a freelancer, it pays to be proficient with 2-3 of the most popular NLEs. Right now those are Avid, FCP 7, FCPX, Premiere Pro.

Anybody who tells you that one NLE is better than the rest is just telling you their personal preference.

I edit mainly on FCPX, because I prefer the quick editing of the trackless and magnetic timeline and other features not available on FCP 7 and other NLEs. (The noise that FCPX isn't "pro" is just that, noise.)

I also use Lightworks for long-form projects, because I like a lot of its traditional film-based editing workflows.
Click to expand...

That's the conclusion that I came to as well. I'm not looking to be a full time editor, but it couldn't hurt to be prepared should that be the road I end up traveling. I went on and picked up the iMac over the weekend and I'm feeling my way around the trial of FCPX, which I'm really enjoying so far.

Thanks for all of the advice everyone!
 
I mean that was the argument. They released an editor that didn't support XML or OMF export. That instantly says "This is a consumer product not meant for professional heavy lifting" became if you aren't exporting your project out to have audio post done by someone who specializes in audio post production then you aren't working on a professional project IMO.

They appear to have fixed this after totally trashing their reputation. They may recover from it.
 
I love FCPX. I still use FCP7 on some projects that the client requires a project file. I use the Adobe Suite for Bluray and some encoding. I use Premiere when I get weird codecs from clients that do not play nice. I was Avid certified in 1997. I've used almost all of the editing software that has come out since then. I have never used an XML, OMF or EDL export. I did use EDL's in the late 90's but they were on paper with a pen because hard drive space and computer time was precious back then.

OK I guess I have used XML technically when I started using PluralEyes but it does it for me.

To the OP. If you go to Home Depot (hardware store for non US users) and ask for a hammer you will see at least 20 different kinds. Can you drive a nail in the wall to hang a picture with a sledge hammer or a framing hammer? Yes. Will the people looking at the picture be able to tell which hammer you used? Not if you did it right.
 
"A professional is not defined by the tools he uses, but rather how he uses them. If you want to edit professionally, learn the craft and then the relevant tools."

"To the OP. If you go to Home Depot (hardware store for non US users) and ask for a hammer you will see at least 20 different kinds. Can you drive a nail in the wall to hang a picture with a sledge hammer or a framing hammer? Yes. Will the people looking at the picture be able to tell which hammer you used? Not if you did it right."

the above sums it up for me very nicely, In my case I use Edius Pro6.06 and Adobe CS5 and CS6, they are just tools to me each has there strengths and weakness, My customers do not ask me what I use, they are only interested in how quick they get there product, a great result and the cost.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top