Book: Digital Video Essentials: Apple Final Cut Pro 6 Author: Lisa Rysinger Publisher: Delmar Cengage Learning ISBN: 978-1-4018-7791-0 Pages: 371; also includes a tutorial DVD Price: $46.95 Level: Pros and serious video amateurs Rating: 5 out of 5 Apples

Digital Video Essentials: Apple Final Cut Pro 6 is the latest in a series of books written by Lisa Rysinger on digital video. The book is a valuable resource that should be placed in the personal reference library of every user of Final Cut Pro 6. It guides you through video editing in a step-by-step manner, using the industry's favorite Apple program. Lisa Rysinger is an accomplished author and teacher in her own right. Visit her site at http://vide.com/

When you open the book you will notice illustrations that POP out at you. These full-color visuals are generously sized, clearly distinct, and visually drive home the point of the related text; this could well be used as a textbook. It has clear objectives in the beginning of each lesson, as well as review questions and exercises at the end. The book also includes "Spotlights," areas for many interviews and special features in Final Cut Pro 6.

But the gem is the included DVD packed with resources and tutorials like Alpha Channels, Final Cut Pro and the Fx Factory. There is also a trial version of FxFactory, and special offers from resellers as well as Web links to a host of supportive sites you may access directly from the DVD.

In viewing the DVD's tutorial on Final Cut Pro, I learned how to add motion to multiple layers and how to add two filters, one of which was key frames over time; the other was a title. Lisa Rysinger herself teaches this tutorial without missing a step. It has clear, easy to follow visuals, which you can apply to your own projects.

The DVD also includes tutorials from FxFactory, a visual plug-in package from Noise Industries. These gorgeous plug-ins will save you a lot of time and make you look like a Hollywood producer.

Spotlights throughout the text contain interviews with many successful professionals who use Final Cut Pro, as well as other Final Cut Studio applications like Color, Compressor, LiveType, Motion, SoundTrack Pro and DVD Studio Pro. The index is well-designed, the Glossary is a wealth of information explaining video terminology, and tips in the margins will enhance your knowledge.

Using this book you can learn how to use Final Cut Pro — from importing video, applying motion and effects, and using layers and transparency — to rendering and exporting. The final result will be a Hollywood-like production. The book size is not overwhelming and the layout is not intimidating, given this is a very complex application. With this book you can actually begin to use Final Cut Pro with confidence. It is a must-have for your technical library. Keep it available as a handy reference as you apply your creative juices to your projects.

I cannot end my review without sharing my thoughts about the cover of this book that sports my two favorite colors, gold and red. Truly stunning! If I ever write a book, I'm asking Bruce Bond to design the cover.