Using Final Cut Pro X

 First Attempts at Using Final Cut Pro X
Within Final Cut Pro X, we began to create a sixth form video, hence we filmed short clips around sixth form in varying locations, we filmed outside, in the dining sort of area, on the stairs on the way up to the media and english block, the work room in sixth form, the pigeon hole area in sixth form and the common room. We also tried to take varying shots ranging from close ups, to extreme close ups, to wide angle shots. We then had to work out which shots where the best ones, and the ones we then wanted to use in our sixth form video.

We then went on to find the transitions section of Final Cut Pro , however, the majority of the transitions that we wanted to use were cuts, this is because simple cuts are a convention of most music videos. However, we did try to break convention in some areas, hence the use of a fade between a shot we took of the work room and the common room this is as it appeared to create a match cut. I feel that I would like to experiment more with different cuts in the lead up to my music video to work out which ones are the most effective. Although I like the different transitions within the section, I feel that the majority break convention to much, such as the swing and the swap- and therefore wouldn't appear to match up in the music video that we would want to make look professional.

We also went on to play around with different vignettes and putting images in the background, here we used a over the shoulder shot of us filming the music videos, and then placed an extreme close up of Patrick playing cards in the background, although I liked the effect this had, I felt that it made it appear to busy and you couldn't find a focal point within the video to focus on.

We also went on to add intro credits to the video, we used the phrase "Sixth Form AS/A2 education" and put them on in different places and sizes in order to make the clip more visually interesting, it also added movement to what was a static clip of the pigeon holes at sixth form. However, we did begin to notice that we had a smudge on our camera lens in the top left corner when we started filming.

We also added in a clip to the beginning of the video that we found whilst experimenting with Final Cut ProX of an ink blob which rushed around the screen, it helped to make the introduction of the song "Bright Eyes- best day of my life" more interesting as there obviously wasn't any lyrics in the introduction. We also added in the life at Brigg Sixth Form text which we managed to cut on the beat.

Within these two shots, a wide shot of Patrick and an extreme close up of Patrick playing cards, we managed to create continuity editing, we also used these two shots as they were fairly natural and weren't staged, it made the whole video appear more relaxed. We also continued with the Sixth Form text for the continuity editing as well as the music which created a sound bridge between the two shots within the music video.

To achieve continuity editing, we bladed the clip of Patrick, just as he put his hand on the table t put a card down, we then added in the zoom in of the card shot and bladed that to focus on Patricks hand on the beginning, in order to make the transition between the two clips seem seamless. We also used the video clip of Patrick with the playing cards in the background of our vignette shot in order to add more dimension.

Within Final Cut Pro X, we had a play around with speed and reversing in order to make the video more unusual.



Using final cut Pro x has really opened up my eyes to the wonders of Final Cut and how it can work wonders on different types of footage, however, it has also taught me how complicated the software can be and the different short cuts, I do like how there are lots of transitions and different effects to work with.