Edit Smarter logo with Larry

March 3, 2025

Lots of things to learn and think about this week. First, though, as you can see from the banner above, we are heading back to this year's NAB Show. My goals are to, first, report on the latest releases from companies important to all of us and, second, to figure out where our industry is headed. I already have 35 interviews scheduled, with other slots filling quickly.


If you have interview questions you think I should ask, please email me.


Recently, the DPP, an international association for media and technology, published their annual predictions for media for the coming year. While normally geared toward broadcasters and enterprises, this year's outlook speaks equally to us, as well. It's my lead story.


Link: Key Issues for Media – DPP Predictions for 2025


THIS WEEK'S TOP NEWS


Discover the latest industry news on my home page. Six new stories this week. As we try to stay focused and productive during these times, here are three articles I found especially helpful.


Axios reports that humans are essential for AI to work successfully.


Link: Axios: Humans in the Loop Make AI Work


Distracted employees are an increasing issue in the workplace. The Gazette reports on how astronauts stay focused while multi-tasking in a very hostile environment.


Link: The Gazette: How Astronauts Stay Focused


In reassuring research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, recent studies show that companies increase R&D spending during times of political upheaval.


Link: R&D Grows in Time of Political Uncertainty


CREATIVE COW CONVERSATIONS


I'm working with the Creative Cow to provide additional resources in my newsletter by linking to interesting Cow threads. (Register for the free Cow newsletter here.)



Next week's webinar is a detailed look at Media Asset Management and Axle AI. The whole point of tracking your media is to quickly find the shot you need without wasting time. I purchased Axle ten years ago and use it every week. Axle is uniquely suited to small workgroups managing both video and stills. In this session, I'll show you what I've learned, what works, what doesn't and how it could fit into your workflow. As always, registration for my live sessions is free.


Link: Free Registration to Larry's Media Asset Webinar


Thinking of organizing media, Siamack is new to Final Cut and struggling to organize her media. In this video, I provide a variety of organizational tools she can use, with a special emphasis on keywords.


LinkTips to Organize Media in Final Cut Pro


Last week, I published a review of my new teleprompter: the Neewer X12 II Remote Teleprompter. This week, I have a review of the prompting software I'm using with it. This was a surprisingly challenging task with an unexpected ending. 


Link: A More Flexible Teleprompter – BetterDisplay


Richard needs to change the size of his images, but is worried about them getting blurry. In this tutorial, Larry Jordan shows how to safely scale images in both Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro, without losing image quality.


LinkResize Images In Premiere or Final Cut Without Losing Image Quality


Francesca asks: “I need to move a library between two different versions of Final Cut Pro. How can I do this?” Generally, you can't. However, there's an alternative.


LinkHow Do I Down-Grade a Final Cut Pro Project?


This guest post illustrates some key ideas in how to improve visual storytelling


Link: Tips to Enhance Your Visual Storytelling Skills


I'm reading "Stark's War," a series of military science-fiction books by Jack Crawford. This series is set in some distant future and focuses on front-line Army troops. There, his protagonists struggle with what happens when leadership is corrupted by power and invents their own reality to justify their actions.


Crawford envisions a world where honesty, respect and honor no longer have meaning. In reading these, I was reminded of the famous quote: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing." Perhaps this is not so distant in the future after all.


Until next Monday, stay healthy, stay hopeful and edit well.

TUTORIALS & REVIEWS

» Key Issues for Media - DPP Predictions for 2025 (Commentary)

  » It will not surprise you that we are in for a rough ride.


» A More Flexible Teleprompter - BetterDisplay (Review)

  » How to use this software to feed a teleprompter.


» Tips to Organize Media in Final Cut Pro (Tutorial)

  » Key FCP organizational tools, with a special emphasis on keywords.


» Resize images in Premiere or FCP Without Losing Quality (Tutorial)

  » Safely scale images in both Premiere and Final Cut Pro.


» How Do I Down-Grade a Final Cut Project? (Tutorial)

  » Well, you can't. But there's a workaround.


» Tips to Enhance Your Storytelling Skills (Overview)

  » This guest post provides an overview to compelling visual techniques

Buy Now!

Ask Larry Anything!


  • A free-form discussion with more than 20 demos!
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Apple Motion
  • Answers to business and storage questions.


Everything you need - all in one place.

Buy Now!

DaVinci Resolve 19 - Master Bundle


Get started with DaVinci Resolve 19 quickly and easily in this four-video set. In less than four hours, learn:


  • A complete Resolve workflow
  • Multicam and double-system editing
  • Edit and mix audio in Fairlight
  • Effectively use the Color page.


Everything you need - all in one place.

TOP 4 TITLES LAST WEEK

ARTICLES


» Configure an M4 Mac for Video Editing


» Reasons for Hope - The 2025 NAB Show


» Review: Epson V600 vs V850 Scanners


» Create Smooth Zooms with an iPhone


» View all Larry's tutorials here.

WEBINARS


» Larry's Video Training Library


» 378: Ask Larry Anything!


» 377: Visual Effects in Final Cut Pro 11


» 375: Essential Workflows in Premiere


» See all of Larry's webinar titles here.