Advanced Editing Techniques

Many editing projects can be completed with basic editing techniques and some transition effects, like those you have learned so far. However, you can also apply a second type of effect called filters. Whereas a transition is applied to an edit point between two clips, a filter is applied to the entire body of a clip. Filters can be used to change the look of an image or give it style, such as adding a border around the image, mirroring it, or replicating it (as in the following image). Filters can also be used to correct the color of an image or to create a "composite" of multiple images through the use of a color screen or matte.

You can also adjust the speed of a clip and create a "freeze frame" in Final Cut Express. And you can change a clip's motion parameters, which allow you to change the size or position of an image in the screen. As you change the size of an image, you can combine several images together to create a multilayered look (as in the following image), which you may have seen in some television shows and commercials.

And finally, some sequences may require additional audio tracks to add music or sound effects underneath the primary audio track in your sequence. Once you edit the audio tracks into your sequence, you can mix those tracks together.

The DVD that comes with this book includes additional lessons where you can learn how to apply filters, change motion parameters, and work with multiple video and audio tracks. The lesson project files and media are already in the FCE HD Book Files folder on your hard drive.