The Incredible Hidden “Assemble Fine” Shortcut Revealed

This article was originally published on Aprl 1st 2010
(April Fool’s Day)

Ever wonder how ENG editors can get cohesive packages together on ridiculous deadlines? Do you want to know how the editors at ESPN can put sequences together for air at half-time that contain content which occurred in the last seconds of the 2nd quarter? Well, for the first time ever (to my knowledge), I will reveal the amazing secret keyboard shortcut that the Professional Editors Guild doesn’t want you to know about (and has managed to keep Apple from revealing).

Introducing the amazing “Assemble Fine Cut” command (known for short as “Assemble Fine”). Simply select several appropriate clips (with your best content) in the Browser (no, you do NOT need to have ins and outs selected) and hit CTRL CMD A then F (tap the A and F keys in succession while holding CTRL CMD):

What happens next is nothing short of amazing! Your selected clips will be sent to the timeline, automatically trimmed and sequenced (using timecode as a basis for placement) and, where needed, tasteful transitions will be included.  Color will be corrected.  Audio for dialogue will be normalized to -6 db and audio for cutaways will be reduced. If appropriate, a musical stinger may even be automatically added (using Soundtrack Pro loops, of course)!

In essence, you will have a ready-to-go “fine cut” which should be about 95% complete (unless you have a very quirky script or are producing one of those “experimental” student films).

To learn more about the strange history of this unbelievable, time-saving, career-making shortcut, read this article which should explain everything.  Enjoy!