Avid Media Composer | First: Fundamentals of Video Editing introduces users to the power of Media Composer software and marks the first steps toward developing core skills in video editing. The book covers the basic principles you’ll need to complete a Media Composer | First project, from initial setup to final output, and it is designed for those who are new to professional video editing and also for experienced editors who are unfamiliar with Media Composer software. Each lesson and exercise will focus on a phase of the editing process, starting with organizing media, assembling a sequence, refining a sequence, creating titles and effects, and outputting your program so that others can view it. Although this book is not aimed at teaching the theory behind film and television production, the content provides some background on the craft of editing, making it appropriate for students and others new to the art. For those interested in gaining official Avid certification, this book is also a valuable introduction for further learning and through the Avid Learning Series curriculum.

THE ULTIMATE BOOK ON HARNESSING THE POWER OF AVID MEDIA COMPOSER . Filled with hundreds of techniques and profusely illustrated in color, it will help you discover new ways to use the system and do things you didn't know were possible. Written by one of the pioneers of the digital editing revolution, this second edition focuses on Media Composer 5.5. SUBJECTS COVERED INCLUDE: Interface Fundamentals; Advanced Editing & Trimming; The Smart Tool; Find & PhraseFind; Visual Effects & Advanced Keyframes; Color Correction; Titles; Mixing, RTAS & Stereo Audio; Multi-camera Editing; Toolsets & Workspaces; AMA & Media Management; Film & 24p Video; and much more. REVIEWS: "The most ambitious and comprehensive book on Avid Media Composer I've read. Like having a seasoned pro sitting next to you, revealing his trade secrets. If you're a Media Composer editor, rookie or old pro, 'Avid Agility' will make you a better editor, guaranteed!" -- Jonathan Moser, Post Magazine "The quickest path to becoming a Media Composer Jedi Master. Editor and teacher Steve Cohen has written a clear, comprehensively-illustrated and easy-to-understand guide -- a bible on advanced editing with Avid Media Composer 5.x. This book is essential reading!" -- Lawrence Jordan, founder, 2-pop.com & HollywoodReinvented.com "A definitive book about the Media Composer environment. May well be the ultimate book on customizing Avid's unique capabilities for individual creative editing." -- Ray Zone, Editors Guild Magazine "An easy read, logically laid out, and useful to novice and experienced editor alike. I highly recommend this book." -- Frank Capria, Consulting Designer, Media Composer, Avid Technology "Cohen's book will guide you to the next exciting level in the art of editing." -- Edgar Burcksen, CinemaEditor Magazine "An amazing work -- for both new and old Media Composer users." -- Norman Hollyn, Head of the Editing Track & Professor, USC School of Cinematic Arts "A very readable, incredibly illustrated book. Consistently delivers magical little tricks that make you say, 'I wish I'd known that yesterday!'" -- Steve Hullfish, Avid Master Editor, colorist, author of four books. EDITIONS: This second edition offers detailed coverage of Media Composer 5.5. You'll find even more information, with a focus on Media Composer 6, in Avid Agility, Third Edition.

Accompanying DVD-ROM contains media files for exercises and hands-on projects, videos and video tutorials.

This book is designed to be useful for guitarists at any skill level. Beginners can use it as an introduction to the foundational concepts of the instrument, intermediate players can use it for training and theoretical work, and advanced players can explore the sections on advanced theory, extended technique and the exhaustive tables of melodic and rhythmic possibilities. It is divided into two parts: pitch and rhythm. Part 1 (pitch) begins with the properties of string, harmonics, and tuning systems. It then moves methodically through pitch information, beginning with locating all versions of a single pitch, building pentatonic, heptatonic, and all possible symmetrical scales. This is followed by a study of intervals, with all possible locations of every two pitches, and a long study that moves through every possible fingering of three pitches, with a series of exercises to master triadic syntax. Part 1 closes with a study of four-pitch structures and complete tables that show all possible pitch sets in circular visual notation. Part 2 (rhythm) begins with a complete course in "Symmetrical Picking," a method based on drum rudiments that builds control in the picking hand through an exhaustive variety of movements. The focus of this section is building a strong rhythmic foundation, with a focus on efficiency, accuracy, speed, dynamics, and groove. It is followed by a study of legato playing, working with ornaments and slides. The study of playing with fingers on multiple strings takes up the remainder of the book. This begins with the study of pulse against pulse, playing two simultaneous tempos. The book concludes with a study of polyrhythm, playing one rhythm against another. Plain English is used as much as possible to describe theoretical concepts, and hundreds of illustrations were made for the book as an aid to those who either don't speak English or prefer to think visually. This approach is designed to be inclusive and to promote creative practice. The main idea of the book is described in this passage (page 154): "Even in this small area there is a lot of material, potentially a lifetime of study. The amount of information can feel overwhelming to students at any level. For this reason, the book is designed for self-directed practice, with an emphasis on what the player "could" do, rather than what the player "should" do. The principle is to develop your own learning process, rather than following someone else's. The ability to make choices is essential in finding a personal approach to the instrument. Pick and choose the studies that seem interesting - there should be enough variety to accommodate a wide range of personalities. If any particular concept or exercise has been useful as the starting point for a new creative direction, then the book has done its job. Its purpose is not to push any dogma, method, or style, but to open the door to options for guitarists of any background that are looking for new perspectives.

This volume is a comprehensive guide covering Avid Xpress Pro, Avid Xpress Pro HD, Avid Xpress DV, and Avid Media Composer. Suitable for beginning editors or experienced editors new to the Avid, it provides step-by-step instructions for hundreds of editing tasks in jargon-free terms.