The sections are sub-divided into lessons that are about 5-7 minutes each. There are around 10-14 lessons in each section. The lessons are “bite sized” so that you can sit down and watch several of them at a time, take a break, and then come back and pick up right where you left off. More experienced users can skip lessons or sections that cover information they are already familiar with. It is also easy to go back and review material that you may be rusty on or might not have understood the first time around.
Attention Captivation
Mr. Maffitt is absolutely great as an instructor. He talks at a pace that is steady, understandable, and easy to follow, and he covers the information in a way that is interesting and thorough, but not overwhelming. His presentation and instructional manner is very pleasant, both knowledgeable and conversational, and he is great about giving you enough information, but not so much that it’s an overload.
Reusability
This is definitely something that you’ll come back to time and again. The sheer volume of information makes it an invaluable tool in learning how to make the most use of the vast capabilities of FCP. And because FCP is so complex, chances are good that you’ll keep coming back to this to brush up and keep your knowledge current. Plus, the sections and lessons are structured in such a way that reviewing material is extremely easy.
Value vs. Cost
Although $230 might seem like a lot of money, you basically get your own video editing professor! You can work at your own pace and review or skip material as needed. And while some might argue that you could get the same information from one of those Bible-sized instruction guides for a lot cheaper, I disagree. Let’s be honest… how many of us actually read those 5 lb. instructional tomes? While I’m sure that they’re full of valuable information, they’re just no real match for the hands-on learning offered by Total Training. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then I think that 12 hours worth of informative video instruction is worth at least a couple hundred of those books (not to mention that it’s much more interesting!). Not only that, but with as much stuff as FCP is truly capable of, $230 is not a bad price to pay for to lay down a really solid editing foundation with the product.
Final Comments
Whether you’re just starting to learn how to edit on FCP or even if you’re already familiar with its capabilities, you can learn from what Total Training for Final Cut Pro 5: The Essentials has to offer. The training flows smoothly and is easy to follow as Brian Maffitt walks you through the ins and outs of FCP. The sample project that you work on greatly improves your ability to remember what you’re learning, while the organization of the lessons and sections makes it a snap to navigate.
Because of the huge amount of information available and the great way it’s presented, this training package is a must-have for anyone wanting to start to learn or improve their knowledge of FCP. It’s a great investment that you’ll be able to keep using for a long time to come!
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Comprehension |
9.0 |
|
Depth
of Information |
10.0 |
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Interest
Level |
8.5 |
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Reusability |
10.0 |
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Value
vs. Cost |
10.0 |
|
Overall
Score |
9.5
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