iMovie vs. Final Cut- Which to Use?

    Professors frequently assign video projects to students in a variety of classes. When it comes down to editing the video, it can be tricky to figure out what software to use. iMovie is the usual go-to editing software and can create a great basic video fit with transitions and simple editing. However, in some cases this is not enough, and a more thorough editing software is needed. This can be found in Apple’s Final Cut Pro X.

    iMovie is an excellent beginner’s introduction to video editing. Some features of interest, particularly to students, are the ability to create video titles and credits, making easy transitions between clips, and the ability to export the video into a few different types of video formats. The drag-and-drop format is easy to use, and themes are available. However, there are some limitations to iMovie that those wishing to create a more professional film may not like. For example, only one video effect per clip can be added, which cannot be adjusted to fit the user’s needs. Editing can be slow if you must drag-and-drop an effect to every single clip, as opposed to working all the clips together.

    Final Cut Pro X is another type of Apple video editing software focused more on professional editing and projects. A particularly helpful aspect of Final Cut is the ability to edit multiple videos simultaneously to get the job done faster. Also helpful is the ability for Final Cut Pro software to be used with formats that are not typically supported by Apple. iMovie projects can be uploaded into Final Cut and the user can then take advantage of the more advanced editing shortcuts. One interesting feature of Final Cut of the Color Board, where the user has complete control over the video’s color, saturation, and exposure, much like Adobe Photoshop.

    Ultimately, both iMovie and Final Cut are two excellent video editing programs. They are similar in a variety of ways and are capable of creating great final products. Ultimately, it is up to the user to decide what kind of professionalism is necessary for their film. If the purpose of the project is simply on the information presented, iMovie might be the way to go. However, a film class that emphasizes the video quality and manipulation might prefer Final Cut Pro X being used.