Blog Archives

New with the 5.4.6 update to Apple Motion is support for 3D Objects. This illustrated tutorial shows where they are, how to use them and what you need to know to import your own USDZ objects into Motion.

Apple Motion is a very fun way to explore and experiment with motion graphics. Here’s how to create a motion graphic generator (background video) you can use inside Apple Final Cut Pro X.

An illustrated tutorial on how to create a countdown video in Final Cut Pro X that displays remaining minutes and seconds. Then, I show how to embed it into Keynote for a presentation.

Examples of how blend modes can add texture to colors and scenes, along with how to use them to fix problems with exposure or color. This is created in Adobe Premiere Pro, but applies to all NLEs.

A LUT (LookUp Table) is a conversion table that instantly changes pixel values from one setting to the next. Final Cut provides two different ways to apply LUTs to your footage: the Inspector and the Custom LUT effect. This article describes how to use the Custom LUT effect.

In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan answers a question on how to get rid of “fuzzy edges” in a chroma-key using Apple Final Cut Pro X.

In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan answers a question showing how to use Apple Final Cut Pro X to match the color between video clips shot using different cameras, one of which was an iPhone.

In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan answers a question on how to use LUTs to color grade HDR or Log video in Apple Final Cut Pro X.

Voice-over work combines acting with technology to create magic. It’s your voice telling stories directly into the imagination of the listener. Here are some tips to make it better.

Presented by Larry Jordan, this four-part webinar series covers the basics of editing with Apple Final Cut Pro X. In this short video tutorial, Larry shows how to create and modify keyframes to create animation in Final Cut Pro X.

Presented by Larry Jordan, this four-part webinar series covers the basics of editing with Apple Final Cut Pro X. In this short video tutorial, Larry shows how to use Generators with Infographics in Final Cut Pro X.

Presented by Larry Jordan, this four-part webinar series covers the basics of editing with Apple Final Cut Pro X. In this short video tutorial, Larry shows how to create a variety of video speed changes – from hold frames to speed ramps – using Final Cut Pro X.

There is difference in how the same color is displayed in Premiere, Final Cut and QuickTime. This made worse when looking at media on a P3 display. Here’s what you need to know.

In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan presents how to apply, modify, render and trim transitions in Final Cut Pro X.

Unlike “normal” still images, working with a layered Photoshop (PSD) file in Adobe Premiere Pro provides a variety of options that can be useful in a video edit. This illustrated tutorial explains what they are.

Unlike “normal” still images, working with a layered Photoshop (PSD) file in Apple Final Cut Pro X provides a variety of options that can be useful in a video edit. Here’s what you need to know.

The Ken Burns effect makes creating moves on still images fun and easy. When used properly it can quickly bring a still image to life. Here’s how to use it in your next Apple Final Cut Pro X project.

In an ideal world, all your green-screen source files are perfectly lit. This illustrated tutorial deals with reality – green-screen source files that are badly light, poorly saturated and with gear lying all around the frame. Sheesh!

In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan shows how to add, modify, mask and delete visual effects in Adobe Premiere Pro.

In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan illustrates how to create clips that play back at variable speeds in Adobe Premiere Pro.

In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan showcases an easy way to improve the quality of your audio using the Track mixer, key audio effects, and the Loudness Radar in Adobe Premiere Pro.

Video walls for performances are very popular. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create them, using Final Cut Pro X and the Griddy plugin from FXFactory.

In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan shows how to perform three advanced editing techniques in Adobe Premiere Pro: 3-Point, Back-time and Replace edits.

In this short video demo, watch as Larry Jordan illustrates how to display and color grade ProRes RAW media in Apple Final Cut Pro X. (This also includes a bonus technique on using the Balance Color effect for HDR media.)

An explanation of how Apple Final Cut Pro X handles ProRes RAW images, along with a link to an Apple white paper to learn more.

This morning, Adobe updated Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, Character Animator and Premiere Rush. Available today, the updates offer support for Apple ProRes RAW, new creative tools in After Effects, workflow refinements in Character Animator, and performance improvements, such as …

An illustrated, detailed tutorial on how to create an effect in Apple Motion to be used as a template inside Final Cut Pro X.

Color correction and color grading are part art, part science and part applied technology. In this short video demo, watch as Larry Jordan demonstrates how to adjust grayscale values and use the video scopes to improve the look of your images.

Color correction and color grading are part art, part science and part applied technology. In this short video demo, watch as Larry Jordan shows how to use the video scopes in Adobe Premiere Pro to evaluate skin tones.

Color correction and color grading are part art, part science and part applied technology. In this short video demo, watch as Larry Jordan shows how to create two color effects using masks in Premiere Pro.

Match Color does more than simply match colors between clips. Once you understand what it is REALLY doing, you can use it to create some fascinating effects.

In this short video demo, watch as Larry Jordan shows how to use the Hue and Saturation Curves in Final Cut Pro X to replace and adjust a single color in a clip.

In this short video demo, watch as Larry Jordan shows how format 3D text, then add a cast shadow in Apple Final Cut Pro X.

In this short video demo, watch as Larry Jordan shows how to use the Focus blur to simulate depth-of-field in your video in Apple Final Cut Pro X.

An illustrated, step-by-step guide to creating a lecture video using video and PowerPoint/Keynote slides in Adobe Premiere Pro.

In this short video demo, watch as Larry Jordan shows how use a Morph cut with green-screen footage to fix jump cuts in Adobe Premiere Pro.

An illustrated tutorial on how to create a grid in Motion that can be used in Final Cut, with adjustable line widths and color. These are very useful for performance videos.

There are two single-camera editing techniques that drive me nuts: Shifting eye contact and unnecessary jump cuts. Here are techniques to solve both those problems.

An on-going challenge that traditional filmmakers face is integrating vertical video into a horizontal timeline. While there is no “perfect” way to do this, here are two easy options to consider.

An illustrated tutorial on how to create a video including a lecturer with PowerPoint or Keynote slides, using Apple Final Cut Pro X.

A simple example showing how to create a seamless animated video loop using Apple Motion.

Color temperature is the measure of the perceived color of white light on a scale from warm (gold) to cool (bluish). We work with it every day in lighting. Here are some interesting facts about it that you may not know.

An illustrated tutorial on how to create custom effects along with custom folders to store them in for Apple Final Cut Pro X.

A step-by-step illustrated tutorial on how to fly through text to discover the video beneath it using Motion 5.

An illustrated tutorial on how to create cast shadows using green-screen footage in Adobe Premiere Pro CC.

Final Cut can create cast shadows, especially with green screen footage. Here’s how to create them, along with tricks to make backgrounds look more believable.

Apple Final Cut Pro X has a tilt-shift focus effect built-into it – but you won’t find it under that name. Here’s what it is and how it works.

Whether you work with Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro X, Adobe Photoshop or other image editing programs, you can create unusual, captivating effects using gradients and blend modes. Best of all, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to use them.

Adjustment layers make applying effects to multiple clips fast, easy and quickly adjustable. Here’s how to create an adjustment layer for Final Cut Pro X using Motion.

Emojis can now be added just about anywhere you used to add text. Here’s how to access and use them.