Using Markers to Make Jump Cuts in Final Cut Pro X (FCPX)

Final Cut Pro X (I’m using FCP 10.1 for this tutorial) has a cool little feature hidden away that allows you to add a jump cut wherever you have markers.

What are jump cuts, you ask?

Well, let’s quickly talk about editing!  It is usually most satisfying to the eye to cut between two shots that are at least 30% different- most typically seen as cutting from a wide to a close-up.  Why any of this is satisfying is a mystery because we do not “cut” necessarily while we are walking around the world.  We don’t suddenly jump over a table while talking to someone and see from a different perspective- but if we did, it would be fun, wouldn’t it?  But there are some theories floating out there about the fact that when we blink, we are actually “cutting” from one shot to another.

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Creating Events and Importing Footage in FCP 10.1

You’ve shot your beautiful footage and now you’re ready to get started importing!  Importing is easy- once you’ve learned how!  Create or open a Library to start. (Don’t know how?  Click here for the tutorial!)

Now that you have a Library, create an Event.

Click File>New>Event or press Option + N on your keyboard.  Your files will be organized on your hard drive like this: Root Drive>Library>Event Folder.  In order to stay organized I create a Library for each client and an Event for each project. Continue reading…