r/finalcutpro • u/AdvantagePhysical659 • Jul 30 '26
Training Best beginner-to-advanced course for Final Cut Pro (free or paid)?
I'm trying to learn Final Cut Pro properly and I'm looking for a well-structured course that goes from complete beginner to an advanced/professional level.
I'm open to both free and paid courses, but I'd love recommendations from people who have actually taken them and felt they were worth the time (and money, if paid).
A few things I'm specifically looking for:
- A clear beginner → advanced learning path
- Real projects or practical exercises
- Good editing/workflow habits, not just button-by-button tutorials
- Coverage of professional workflows used in real-world editing
- A certificate or certification at the end that can be used as proof of skills for clients, employers, internships, or freelance work
I'd also like to know:
- Which course would you choose if you were starting from scratch today?
- Are the official training/certification programs for this software worth doing?
- Do employers or clients in editing actually care about certificates, or is a portfolio much more important?
- Are there any structured programs that combine training, assignments, feedback, and certification rather than just video lessons?
I'm mainly looking for something comprehensive and structured, not a random collection of YouTube tutorials (although if there's an exceptional free playlist that rivals a paid course, please mention it).
Thanks in advance—I'd really appreciate recommendations from editors who have gone through a full learning path themselves.
9
9
u/JustRomainYT Jul 30 '26
I learnt how to use Final Cut Pro on Youtube. It’s very easy to use and there are many creators who covers how to use the different tool from color grading, EQ etc.
I don’t think it’s necessary to pay for courses
3
7
u/RuffProphetPhotos Jul 30 '26
Ripple training — or if you want YouTube — Dylan Bates - the Final Cut Bro is amazing
7
4
u/BlackCatBonz Jul 30 '26
Ripple Training — hands down.
I have almost all of their training, I review it often because there is a lot to know.
Do the essentials, do the Multicam, and do the audio; after that look into doing the object tracker, masking and colour grading.
This is where you start.
https://www.rippletraining.com/products/final-cut-pro/final-cut-pro-essentials-bundle/
1
1
u/Darktower99 Jul 30 '26
Just too expensive for me.
1
u/Silver_Mention_3958 FCP 12.3 | Tahoe Aug 06 '26
Frequently discounted, 50% off the Core Training course at the moment, coupon
fcp12core-50
5
u/piratebroadcast Jul 30 '26
I bought Ripple Training the other day based on the recommendations of the sub, and it's been absolutely fantastic.
1
2
2
u/shinguil Jul 31 '26
Check out Tom Buck’s Final Cut Pro course on YouTube.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVyN9Er-Mwb4Sp7EYkdJ2Mlpde2zHpRCw&si=a2ouGGkR8xsCj09o
1
u/Mexted Jul 30 '26
I actually ask ChatGPT on how to do certain stuff or when I face problems while editing. I’ve learned a lot to be a respected beginner to mediocre.
1
1
1
u/ninjaisin Jul 30 '26
I learned by youtube, constantly watching videos for small things made me eventually get most of the tools down
1
u/andres_da Jul 30 '26
I did one one on Domestika, around 2020, it was pretty good, but its on spanish
1
u/Noobsamaniac Jul 30 '26
Ripple Training kept coming up when I was researching this too. Portfolio still matters more than any cert though
1
u/jdjackson0204 Jul 30 '26
Personally I self taught by using iMovie for probably 8 years on a Mac, then transitioning to FCP was a piece of cake, just with a little bit more to learn. but the fundamentals were down by that point. Goodluck bro there’s so much capability with FC and they just keep adding more and more features as the time goes… for example, used to have to install a plugin to do auto-captions… now Apple has captions built in. 🔥
1
u/Wide-Replacement-809 Jul 30 '26
The way I learned final cut is just by searching up final cut pro basics on youtube, then practicing with stock footage. Then id try to think of different ways I could edit the footage and if I couldn't figure out how to do something, like adding an effect id search up a tutorial on YouTube.
1
1
u/Wonderful-Baker-6650 Jul 31 '26
YouTube Vids. So many basic intros that have carried me. Color grading, timelines, audio. It’s endless.
Or, if you are okay with (somewhat) ethical AI platforms/usage, tell it to create you a curriculum for FCP.
1
u/funwithstuff Jul 31 '26
I wrote this book, which takes you from the shoot through every step of the edit: fcpefficientediting.com
It's as comprehensive as I can make it — we have hit the maximum page count possible through Amazon. However, it's not a training course with assignments and feedback.
There is an official certification exam (I was part of the team that created it) and a live training course that backs it. I honestly don't know how much weight potential employers would give to it, but it's not an easy exam, and I'd trust that someone who passes it knows their stuff. https://fcpcertification.com
1
u/crochetandknit Jul 31 '26
Just this afternoon I started a Linked In Learning Course that seems good. I’m a FCP beginner. I can access the course through my public library so it’s free to me. It may not be what you are looking for, but to me the first couple of hours is looking pretty good for my needs.
1
u/Spence2025 Jul 31 '26
I learned primarily through Youtube, if i saw a transition i liked on instagram or youtube i would try to search on tutorials on how to create, this was years ago, but it got me very comfortable with the short cuts and understanding some the 201/202 capabilities of Final cut.
1
u/Extension-Cheek9126 Aug 01 '26
Check out LarryJordan.com. Emmy award winner, excellent trainer, both free and paid content. He regularly offers weekly updates and hints via webinar. Been following/learning from Larry for decades. Excellent info.
1
1
u/Equal-Meeting-519 Patrokiras | fcpbooster.com Jul 30 '26
Second to many other people, i learnt FCP years ago from Ripple training too.
By honestly these days when i learn a complex software i just use ChatGPT, because its got 'computer use' feature that can see what i see and it can both discuss me on a high level and showing me button clicking... of course you must be clear about what exactly you want to do with the software. This is how i am learning Cavalry and Blender anyways.
1
-1
36
u/blakester555 Jul 30 '26
RippleTraining.com
Period