Advanced Color Correction and Effects in FCP 5
Review by Michael Sacci
Authors: Alex Van Hurkman and DigitalFilm Tree

This book is the second in a series of three Apple Pro Training Series books on FCP. Moving onto more advanced features, this is still a hands on learning tutorial that deals with feature sets of FCP. (The third book, Advanced Editing Techniques, deals more with editing theory than feature sets).
This book has two major sections to it: 1) color correcting and 2) using effects. Color Correcting provides a good look into FCP’s 3-way Color Correction feature dealing with both correcting and controlling color. This may well be the most important toolset to take a video editor to the next level and give him the ability to make his video look a lot more professionally produced.
I have to admit that the Effects section of the book is a bit disappointing. While there is great information given, I had hoped for more. Some of the sample projects really don’t showcase the best use of effects. However, you do get a good understand of the toolsets available, and once you learn them you can start seeing how different things are done, opening up possibilities.
As with all the Apple Pro Training Series books, I highly recommend this for anyone that wants to get the most out of FCP. It can take your edit skills to the next level in a very short amount of time.

Michael Sacci is a member of the Nashville Apple Pro Video Group.