… for Apple Final Cut Pro X

Tip #472: What Are Auditions in Final Cut Pro X?

Auditions allow for quickly reviewing different clips to pick the one you like.

To create an audition, drag a Browser clip on top of a Timeline clip.

This tip first appeared in an Apple KnowledgeBase article. Here’s a link to learn more about Auditions.

In Final Cut Pro, you can organize related clips into sets, called auditions, from which you can choose one clip to use. You can create an audition composed of different clips to try out multiple takes, or you can create an audition composed of multiple versions of the same clip to preview different effects.

An audition’s filmstrip displays the currently selected clip, called the pick. All other clips in the audition are referred to as alternates. You can open an audition to see the selected clip and the alternates.

Auditions allow you to preserve alternate edits without affecting the other clips in the timeline. When you’re not reviewing the clips in an audition, the audition functions like an individual clip. You can trim an audition, apply transitions between auditions and other clips, and add keywords and markers.

After you’ve reviewed the clips in the audition and decided which one works best in your project, you can finalize the audition, which converts it into an individual clip in the timeline. The pick retains the audition’s position in the timeline and all keywords and markers applied to the audition.

Tip #471: Create Visual Effect Keyframes Automatically

The Range tool allows quickly setting keyframes for a variety of effects.

Using the Range tool to select a range for keyframing a visual effect.

You may know that we can set audio level keyframes quickly by selecting a range within a clip, then dragging the audio level line up or down. But did you also know you can use this same trick for visual effects? Here’s how.

Apply a video effect, such as a blur, to a clip.

Select the clip and choose Clip > Video Animation.

Double-click the disclosure triangle for the effect you want to adjust. (Top arrow)

Using the Range tool (shortcut: R), select the range where you want to automate the effect. (Bottom arrow)

Drag the setting line up or down. Keyframes are automatically created!

EXTRA CREDIT

To hide the Video Animation, choose Clip > Video Animation, again.