Michael Horton
Head and founder of the Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User Group
(lafcpug)
michaelh at lafcpug.org
What do you consider your primary role? Do you consider yourself
an editor? A shooter? a Prodcuer?
Due to my ever expanding role as the head of lafcpug my role today would be
that of Producer. Then comes Editor.
What sort of projects do you normally work on?
Narrative and Documentaries
What is the biggest feature and biggest headache with the pro apps?
Biggest and best feature of all the pro-apps is its intuitive UI. Some how I
can always figure out how to achieve what I want to achieve with out having
to refer to the manual - well, - refer to the manual often.
I really don't see problems in the pro-apps as "headaches." I don't have
time too. When faced with an issue, I will just slam my way through, either
using a work-around I've learned before, or find a new work-around I've read
about on the online forums. If I've learned anything in the five years I've
been playing with Final Cut Pro, there is always a work around for
EVERYTHING. You just need to find it. And when you do find it, share it with
the world.
What's the most exciting thing you think the next year will bring?
Don't really know. To be brutally honest, I don't really care. Just not my
thing. I must admit I am very excited about Soundtrack Pro and all of its
possibilities. Not being an audio guy, this app looks like it was especially
built for me.
I like what the FCP team is doing. Sure, we'd like changes and "fixes" to
happen much faster but I'm wearing Final Cut now like a warm blanket, and
feel all fuzzy and good when I launch the app. Can't say that about many
tools. Just seem to think I'm going to fell a lot more fuzzy in the coming
months.
What one piece of advice would you liked to have given yourself 5
years ago?
Oh Gosh. Five years ago I founded lafcpug. Since then I've pretty much
devoted my life to making it not only a place where FCP users can hang out,
learn from one another and get their problems solved, but a self sustaining
enterprise that will support me and my family. Well...I'm proud to say that
lafcpug has achieved (for the most part) what it set out to achieve, but
I've spent way to much time away from my family to achieve it. My advice to
myself should have been.."find a balance Luke."
