Final Cut Pro - Module II

III. Editing clips: Page 1 of 3

In the previous step, four clips were left in the Timeline window to create a sequence of about 36 seconds long. The Goldfish clip alone takes up more than 17 seconds of that time, the Shark clip is too dark - and has shaky camera work - at the beginning, and the dolphin clips are short compared with the rest of the sequence. In short, it needs much more work before it can become a broadcast worthy segment.

This step will demonstrate how to cut clips short and manipulate them. The goal is to fit the video into 20 seconds, which is a typical time allotted for video segments on newscasts.

1. Double-click on the Goldfish clip in the Timeline, then look at the viewer on the upper-left hand side of the screen. At the top of the viewer, two timers display. The left timer displays the duration of this particular clip in the sequence. Play the clip by clicking the Play button at the bottom of the viewer.
   
2. All 17 seconds of footage plays, which is too long for the video's purpose. Look at the bottom of the viewer screen. A long bar, similar to a scroll bar, runs left to right at the bottom of the screen. At each end, arrows mark the in and out points of the clip - where it will start and where it will end. Play the clip again. Only 10 seconds or so are needed.
   
3. Drag the left arrow to the start of the section you want to keep. Drag the right arrow to the end of the section you want to keep. The amount of time used is reflected in the timer in the upper left-hand corner. Drag until the timing - the clip selection - is what you want.

TIP: Time can also be set by dragging the left arrow to the start of a clip and typing the duration wanted into the timer. In this case, it's :10. Another method to set the time is to drag the edges of the clip as displayed in the Timeline window.

4. Look at the Timeline window. The Goldfish clip has shortened. Play the clip in the right viewer. A gap now exists between the Goldfish and Shark clips. Click on the Shark clip in the Timeline window. Its edges turn brown, indicating that it has been selected. Move the mouse pointer over the top of the clip. It should turn into a cross. This is a selector cursor. With that cross active, click on the Shark clip and drag it to the left. Drop it to the right of the Goldfish clip. It should snap into place.

Continued on next page