When switching between editing platforms, you often have to translate terminology to have a smoother workflow. Here's one case:

I am sometimes asked by Media Composer editors if there is a "Select Media Relatives" function in Apple Final Cut Pro. There is one, however, it takes a few more clicks then simply selecting "Select Media Relatives" from a single menu.

Final Cut people, allow me translate. "Select Media Relatives" is a function in Media Composer to find all the clips in a given sequence. Makes sense? Perhaps you have also been in a similar situation.

To do this, you have to use FCP's "Find" Function. The following screen shot will show you how to set up the Find dialog box.

Here are the steps: 

• Select the sequence in the Browser 
• Type CMD + F 
• Search > Project Name 
• For > Used Media 
• In Selected Sequences box checked 
• Results > Add to Results 
• Omit check box unchecked 
• Drop Down Menu 1 > Set to "Any Column" 
• Drop Down Menu 2 > Set to "Contains" 
• Leave the open field blank 
• Click the "Find All" button 

The Find Results dialog (below) will show that "Find" located all the clips used in the selected sequence. Similarly, you can use Find to located unused media. Handy? You bet!

I hope that clears up the translation terminology between how Media Composer and Final Cut Pro handle "Media Relatives" or how to find used clips in a selected sequence.

To all of you who have purchased FCP World Blu-ray Templates, thank you! I have had a number of requests for video previews of the templates so I have just finished a gallery of the templates in 3 different sizes, courtesy of MobileMe. If you are planning to get into Blu-ray post-production in 2010, I'm sure that these templates will allow you a lot more flexibility with your clients, family and friends. Keep in mind that these templates are a great value at less than $1.00 per template.

Thanks for checking out the templates. View the gallery here >>>

Here's a couple of FCP tips to kick off the New Year for you. Have you ever wanted FCP to launch without any sequence loading from your last project? How about opening FCP with a brand new project rather than your last project? Well, I'm about to share with you how to do just these things.

To launch FCP without any sequences loading up, just hold down the Option key while double clicking on the FCP application icon.

To launch FCP with a brand new project, hold down the Shift key while double clicking on the FCP application icon.

I hope these tips will help your workflow in the coming year. Peace!

Best wishes to all of you and your families. May 2010 bring you all good health and fortune. Cheers!

Kevin Monahan

FCP World announces its first product for video makers, "FCP World Blu-ray Templates for Final Cut Studio" today. This is a new collection of 60 Blu-ray Templates for Final Cut Studio 2009, designed by Kevin Monahan, owner of FCP World and competitively priced at $49.95. 

Monahan explains, "Final Cut Studio 2009 ships with a total of 5 templates. That's not nearly enough! I've designed 60 new templates that give video makers a lot more options for creating a Blu-ray or AVCHD disc. These are fully animated, high-quality looping backgrounds, not just stills. Also, I've designed many of the templates with Motion content, so that users could create, say, a title sequence or lower-third, that could match a particular template."

The templates work with FCP 7 and Motion 4 through the "Share" protocol, while Compressor 3.5 accesses them via "Job Actions". The templates are localized for Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Spanish. This product is currently available by download only, although a hard copy will be shipping in the coming days.

FCP World plans to release more products in the near future. "I'm really excited about releasing these templates," said Monahan, "I can't wait to roll out more products and editing tools."

Click here for more information >>>