This is a guest post from Final Cut Professional contributor Zach King, check out his website Final Cut King.

I had eagerly awaited the day I could finally purchase Final Cut Pro and install it on my new computer (which was a mac G4 at the time). After successfully installing the software I felt like half the battle was over. But I opened Final Cut Pro not knowing what to do with it. All I knew was that i cost me a lot of money and I did not know the first thing about editing. Thus the adventure of editing began.

In this article I have put together a list of a few editing tips I wish I could have had when I began editing in Final Cut Pro. These tips are not just for Final Cut users but for any editors that want to expand their editing skills.

Tip #1 - Be Objective

The biggest problem with editors (especially these days) is that they are too emotionally attached to their footage - since many editors are also the director, cinematographer, grip…..etc  An effective editor will always look at the project with an objective eye and be able to make sacrifices in order to produce a better finished product. This leads me to my next point.

Tip #2 - The Fear of Cutting

For those of you that have not had to deal with cutting your favorite scene out because one reason or another - that day will come soon. Many times I have edited a great scene, the colors are perfect, lighting is great, acting is awesome, but sometimes a scene needs to be cut to continue moving the story forward. I hate cutting my favorite shots or scenes out but you have to let them go. Put them on the bonus features.

Tip #3 - A Third Eye Never Lies

Getting your rough cut shown to a friend or fellow filmmaker is always a good idea. I cannot stress how important it is to have another set of eyes look over your rough cut before you move on to polishing your project. Show it to someone you trust will be honest with you and will challenge you to improve your work.  Every-time I have shown someone my rough cuts I have always come away with more to improve upon.

Tip #4 - Cross Dissolves and Other Transitions

Final Cut Pro and all the other great editing software have one thing in common - dorky transitions. Do not ask me why the software comes with such crazy transitions but just because they are there does not mean you should use as many as you can in your videos.  If they enhance the story then by all means you should use them but ONLY if they enhance the story.

Tip #5 - Experiment

Trying out new effects and editing techniques is always a great idea. I often find myself duplicating a sequence and playing with different filters, color correctors, or arrangement of clips. Often I find a better way to edit a scene just by experimenting and playing around with it. There is no CORRECT answer in editing, just a a better one.

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