Is Vegas close enough to FCP for JOB?

corug7 wrote on 9/1/2004, 9:17 AM
I would like to apply for an editing job with a local company, but they state that the applicant MUST have FCP experience. I have been out of College for six years and have not touched an Apple since, but have used Vegas since VV2. Are they close enough that I could talk my way into an interview? Thanks.

Corey

Comments

Trichome wrote on 9/1/2004, 9:43 AM
Vegas 5 is a super tool that can allow an editor to do many of the same things, if not more than FCP can do.
That said, if you can convince someone who put up the money to deck out thier studio with mac based products that you have another 'better' way, GOOD LUCK!
In L.A. area there are many more oppertunities for FCP editors a month- where Vegas is rarely if ever known by the post houses looking for editors.

It really is a sad state of affirs that there aren't more editing oppertunities for Vegas editors. It is such a timesaving tool that I was able to get through my workloads at 1/4 the time [save for rendering]. I am going to stay with Vegas and feel that if an oppertunity for a position came up, I would not try to bluff my FCP skills, but SHOW the interviewer that I can perform the same tasks in less time with another tool, and see if that is impressive enough for him/her to tell the rest of the mac geeks in queue to head home....
Cheers.
Spot|DSE wrote on 9/1/2004, 9:49 AM
No. It's not. Knowing Vegas really well, and knowing FCP4 really well are two very different things. They are NLE's, but FCP and Vegas are not remotely the same in how they manage media, transitions. composites, titles etc.
If that's what the employer demands, I'd find a way to get an interview, but spend the next few days boning up on FCP. Get Tom Wolsky's book, get Rich Harrington's book from the "On the Spot" Series. They'll have you going in no time.
If you understand editing, you can learn the FCP workflow in a couple of days fairly easily.
RafalK wrote on 9/1/2004, 9:51 AM
I would say this: What I bring is the creative edge you're looking for. My creative skills are honed to the expert level. This I believe is what you're looking for. Of course I would need a day to re-familiarize with the technical particulars because. I believe you use FCP which I have worked with extensively before but due to market demands have not had a chance to work much with.Yers,I am ready to hit the ground running but I would still feel more comfortable if I could spend a day freshing up on FCP.

Of course run to your nearest book store and read up on FCP so that you can at least be able to throw some terminology around. Since you are already familiar with the world of editing, the terminology, and the actual skill of editing, the difference between one software package and another will not be that great. Good luck AND BE CONFIDANT.
Lanzaedit wrote on 9/1/2004, 10:00 AM
Lots of things to consider...

The company already has the FCP gear (more than likely).
Is this a one system set-up, or many systems networked together?
If it's a multiple-system set-up, it's very unlikely that you can convince the company to purchase the new hardware.
What is the level of production? Are they looking for speed on the machine - cranking out as many spots per month as you can? Or is the pace much slower? If the pace is slower, you probably have a better chance to prove that you can learn FCP...

I wouldn't recommend bluffing your way through anything...it'll bite you in the end. If you lie about knowing FCP just to get to the interview, the company will know that you could lie about other things as well.

Be upfront, and have a demo reel ready. Your skills as an overall editor may be more important than which system you use.

Maybe it's time to learn FCP...so that next time, you will already have that desired skill in your pocket.

John


filmy wrote on 9/1/2004, 10:40 AM
Sad comment on how things are done anymore IMO. Vegas is not FCP or an Avid or premiere and so on. Thing is that if you have a reel I would submit that to them first and formost. Let them see that you can *edit* - which to me is the most important thing if they are looking for an editor. Next if they call you and say they love what they saw you go in and tell them that you can work with FCP but make them understand there may be a little curve in getitng you up to speed because you use another NLE. However also explain to them that you are an editor and what you cut on is secondary to your talent. If they really want an editor and not a software user, and if you have shown them the best reel out of anyone than they should work with you.

But keep in mind these days BS sells better than being good. Being Avid or FCP certified, even if you can't edit, will make many people look at you more serious than if you can edit but use Premiere or Vegas. I worked with someone who was "level 3 Avid certified" but couldn't edit their way out of a paper bag. They had worked on a few films as a PA for the art department and their main source of income was as a bartender. They got the job about a year before I came on board because they bragged about being an editor with Avid expericance. The punch line to this story is that they were cutting on tape, not NLE, and when I came in I had to do everyhting computer related...they had spent about 20 grand on a Trinity system and it had been collecting dust until I was hired because no one knew how to use it.
corug7 wrote on 9/1/2004, 12:27 PM
Thanks for the advice, guys. I'm not one to bluff my way through anything (which makes one wonder how I'm still making a living in the auto service industry), but I just wanted to know if the workflow was even close. Yeah, I suppose I should break down and buy a second-hand Apple and FCP, but that still adds up to a few grand, and in case you've been living in a fallout shelter for the last 5 years, you know the Auto industry is in the crapper. It is hard to justify (to myself, let alone to my wife) buying yet another computer and software when I am still learning things in Vegas after working in it for years. I just know I am sick of working out of my element and not getting jobs because I don't have FCP or AE experience. I've gone in to interviews where people asked me "How did you DO that?", and when I explained that it was something done rather easily in Vegas/DVD Architect, they said "Oh," like I was using inferior software. Anyway, this is probably too much information, and I run the risk of sounding like I'm whining. Thanks again. I guess I really don't have anything to lose by calling these people, eh?

Corey