Avid Agility – Second Edition
Avid Agility, now in its second edition, is my book covering all things Media Composer, including the exciting new features in Version 5.5. It represents a large fraction of what I know about the system, learned over a period of nearly two decades, during which time I worked closely with the folks at Avid, helped my peers become fluent with the system, taught hundreds of editing students, ran a magazine about editing, and in general, got neck deep in all things Media Composer. For advanced editors, it contains in-depth, easy-to-read material on critical subjects you may have glossed over in the past; for those moving to MC from other platforms, it offers clear, well-illustrated explanations of basic concepts. If you’re looking to get more out of Media Composer, this is the book for you. The first edition covered MC4 and 5. The second edition also covers 4 and 5, but the focus is on 5.5. You can get if from the publisher, CreateSpace, or from Amazon. The Kindle version is available from Amazon’s Kindle Store.
REVIEWS:
“The most ambitious and comprehensive book on Avid Media Composer I’ve read. This is much more than an operating manual or how-to — it’s 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. For anyone who works regularly on an Avid and has a desire to take their skills to the next level, this book is essential reading.”
Lawrence Jordan, Editor and Founder of 2-pop.com and HollywoodReinvented.com“Very rarely is the reincarnation of a classic pulled off successfully, but Steve Cohen’s done it. It’s 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“A comprehensive guide to making the Avid fade into the background when you’re working your editorial magic. Cohen’s book will guide you to the next exciting level of the art of editing.”
Edgar Burcksen, American CinemaEditor Magazine“Avid Agility is very much a definitive book about the Media Composer environment. [It] may well be the ultimate book on customizing Avid’s unique capabilities for individual creative editing.”
Ray Zone, Editors Guild Magazine“Some of the material takes my breath away—simply because ‘I didn’t know that!!’ A superb gift for any Avid editor, student or pro.”
Loren Miller, Editor, Teacher, and Creator of KeyGuide Keyboard Shortcut Pages.“An amazing work — for both new and old Media Composer users. I’d recommend that each and every one of you who are editors order the book.”
Norman Hollyn, Head of the Editing Track & Professor, USC School of Cinematic Arts“Steve Cohen has taken his DECADES of experience editing on Avid and distilled them into a very readable, INCREDIBLY illustrated book. [It] consistently delivers magical little tricks that make you say, ‘I wish I’d known THAT yesterday!’”
Steve Hullfish, Avid Master Editor, Colorist and Author of Four Books
PDF SAMPLES:
TO BUY:
Order it from Amazon: Print Version // Kindle Version
October 22, 2010 at 12:16 pm
[...] great aids are Steve Cohen’s new “Avid Agility” and Martin Baker’s “Final Cut Pro Killer [...]
December 15, 2010 at 8:38 am
Thanks for all the detail artfully combined with executive summary. Worth the price: use Bin Script View to re-order clips. (I’ve been putting them in a dummy bin, then bringing them back in reverse order.)
Here’s one for you: in effects mode, you apply a re-size to make a camera zoom to marry the adjoining shot… do the speeds match? To play across the cut, you don’t need to exit effects– just click on an empty track and play through. OK, back to wrestling with Smart Tool.
December 15, 2010 at 8:45 am
That’s a good idea. Thanks. And I’m glad you like the book (please post a review on Amazon if you can).
Regarding the Smart Tool, check out these posts:
More on the Smart Tool
Tweaking the Smart Tool
Steve
January 16, 2011 at 12:37 am
When will a Kindle version be released so we can keep this on our iPads for quick reference?
January 16, 2011 at 12:48 pm
I’m working on it, but it’s not as simple as it might seem. The illustrations, all 500 of them, are complex and getting them to look good isn’t automatic. Kindle is black and white, too. The book is in color because so much of the MC UI is color-dependent.
But thanks for asking –
Steve
January 18, 2011 at 6:59 pm
Please make a kindle version, i dont buy paper books anymore.
But remember that kindle means kindle app not just the amazon kindle. I have an ipad and use the kindle app that supports color!
January 18, 2011 at 7:02 pm
btw, i am another jason not jason adams.
May 21, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Okay guys, as of today, the Kindle version is available from Amazon. Check out this post for details:
Avid Agility for Kindle
Thanks for asking — I hope you like it.
Steve
June 14, 2011 at 5:27 am
Hi Steve,
Is there anywhere that you know of in the UK where Avid Agility is available to order?
I have found the kindle version on Amazon UK, but I’d rather have a printed copy.
Thanks
Peter
June 14, 2011 at 9:29 pm
It’s a long story, but your only choice right now is Amazon USA. The Kindle version is the alternative.
Steve
October 20, 2011 at 3:51 am
I was also looking for a UK source. Didn’t find it, so ordered from Amazon.com, which turned out to be a much simpler and quicker way than expected:) Though even if I’d had to wait it would have been worth it.. Have always been allergic to manuals, but the intelligence and simplicity of this book makes it most brilliant and a real pleasure to read… Avid is mad not to include it as the help manual, whatever cost:)…
Thanks Steve for your efforts and real generosity in communicating your knowledge,
Ewa
October 20, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Many thanks, Ewa! And I’m really glad you were able to get it in the UK without too much hassle.
Steve
September 1, 2011 at 12:04 am
Is this available as an epub for Sony eReaders? Thanks
December 27, 2011 at 11:57 am
Brilliant book Steve, thanks for sharing your knowledge with us all.
There was one point I though might be worth picking up on – Adding filler at the end of a sequence, you suggest making a Black title.
In fact all you need to do is add a new video track > add edit > enter trim mode and trim however many frames of black you need onto the end of your sequence.
December 27, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Good trick, Alex, thanks. It seems to be a bit unstable — if you lift any amount of the black, you lose all of it.
Steve
February 22, 2012 at 6:50 am
Hi Steve – Will there be an update to reflect MC 6 anytime in the near future ? Thanks.