For ten years Apple has been investing in, not only revolutionizing the personal computer industry, but enhancing the filmmakers editing workflow by providing nonlinear, digital editing software that works seamlessly with Apple computers as well. In the wee hours of the morning, Apple released an update to its Final Cut Studio professional filmmaking suite. Two years earlier the previous version had introduced Color, a revolutionary color enhancement and correction application which made other editing suites seem archaic by comparison. Before, such software had to be purchased separately from editing suites and cost upwards of two grand. Now with more than one hundred new features and with a price tag of only $999 (down from the previous cost of $1299), the editing suite is once again making filmmaking more affordable- it costs half as much as the competition; Avid Media Composer starts at $1999.

Here are some of my favorite new and improved features of Final Cut Pro (the video editing component of Final Cut Studio):

Speed change tools (improved): It used to be awkward to change the speed of a clip and the result was not always as expected. The software now makes it easier to get to the speed change HUD and the result doesn’t affect surrounding clips. Speed changes can now be made right in the timeline, even if a variable speed change is desired.

iChat Theater (new): For the first time, you can collaborate with others via video chat while sharing your footage, even as you make edits, all in real time.

Fully Customizable Interface (fully improved): Previous versions of Final Cut had some interface customization such as saving window layouts. The new interface allows you to change Timeline sizes and even add buttons to your windows.

-Lindsay Giachetti



WBS Connect