Larry Jordan's Newsletter: April, 2026

April 1, 2026

The annual NAB Show is three weeks away and between now and then I expect all our favorite NLEs to have new releases. Not because I know anything secret, but because they always do.

AI will sweep the hall, including corners you never thought would be susceptible to AI.

Also, we are shooting more media than ever, but having more and more problems finding it. Asset management will also be a highlight. Attendance will most likely be down due to political interference and many established companies are choosing not to exhibit. All in all, strange times.

NAB Show 2026 - AI Everywhere All At Once

Last week, I upgraded to macOS 26.4 and, while a few minor issues are reported, none seem to affect video playback or editing.

Personally, I've had no problems.

The months of April and May generate, by far, the most media news of the year. I've doubled the size of my Media News page to make reviewing releases faster and easier.

This page includes 263 companies, with 10 new stories posted last week and 61 new stories this month. Those numbers will sky-rocket as NAB draws near.

By the way, Google says my news page is getting close to 3,000 visits a day! Very cool.

All the Latest Media Industry News

The BIG NEWS this week is that FCP.co is back online! I had the pleasure of introducing Sam Bogoch of Axle AI to Peter Wiggins, webmaster for FCP.co and they found a way to bring FCP.co on line.

This is a great resource for all Final Cut Pro editors. Peter Wiggins has an update.

FCP.co is Back! Well, sort of...

Thinking about Final Cut, Apple has acquired MotionVFX. While details are scarce, at a minimum we can look forward to Apple adding this to Creator Studio.

As of today, MotionVFX products still work in Premiere and Resolve.

Apple Acquires MotionVFX

One of the most opaque press releases I've read in a long time was released by TVOne.

But, when I looked into it further, this is potentially big news for everyone producing live events.

TVOne Offers Precise Control Over Live Events

Last month, I wrote about problems with Visual Search in Final Cut Pro. Apple contacted me the next day to discuss my concerns. Along the way, we discovered that Apple's documentation was missing key sections. Once we figured out the problem, I significantly revised my article.

This feature still isn't perfect - but at least I can get it to work.

FCP "Improved Search" - Works, but Unreliable (updated)

The last couple of weeks saw an uptick in questions about Apple's Magnetic Mask in Final Cut Pro.

Here's a detailed tutorial on how it works. And, this is also a very useful application of AI-based machine learning to help editors.

Four Intriguing Uses of Final Cut's Magnetic Mask

Hiding in plain sight in Final Cut 26 is a new addition to the interface that makes it easier to create new libraries, events and projects.

Here's where it is and how it works.

New Menus in Apple Final Cut Pro 12

A new feature in Premiere 26 is handles for video transitions. These make it easier to change transition durations for one or more clips by dragging a handle.

Here's where these are and how they work.

Subtle but Sweet - Video Transition Handles in Premiere 26

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about blacksmiths. Back in the days of horses and wagons, the blacksmith was a valuable member of society. But, with the advent of the automobile, blacksmiths faded away. They were replaced by something more efficient and, in most cases, better - factory-made parts and mechanics to install them.

There's a parallel, I think, between blacksmiths and media creators. I turned my thoughts into an article so you can leave comments.

Will AI Impact Media Jobs? Absolutely Yes.

TUTORIALS & REVIEWS

» NAB Show 2026 - AI Everywhere All At Once (Commentary)

» Of course AI will sweep the halls. But...

» Will AI Impact Media Jobs? Absolutely Yes. (Commentary)

» But we are not helpless.

» New Menus in Apple Final Cut Pro (Tutorial)

» Now easier to create new projects, events, & libraries.

» Subtle But Sweet - Premiere's Video Transition Handles (Tutorial)

» Now easier to adjust and measure transitions.

» TVOne Offers Better way to Control Live Events (News)

» Trigger lighting, video, pyro, lasers & more with one click.

» Final Cut Pro's Improved Search - Still Unreliable (Updated tutorial)

» Both the documentation and results need work.

» Four Intriguing Uses of FCP's Magnetic Mask (Updated tutorial)

» What it does and how it works.

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