March 31, 2025

Hoo-boy! I have a ton of stuff for you this week - news, giveaways, more news, videos and ideas on how to promote yourself in today's chaotic world.

First, let's tackle the challenges many of us face in finding work these days. My comments sprang from a conversation last week with Mike McVay, a legendary radio programmer and consultant. As we talked, I realized that many of the issues radio faces today mirror those we, as media creators, face.

Link: Business Survival for Media Creators: Emphasize Your Unique Strengths

THIS WEEK'S TOP NEWS

Discover the latest industry news on my home page. Six new stories this week.

Apple released new versions of Final Cut Pro, Motion and Compressor. While I have a detailed look at Final Cut Pro's new features a bit further down this newsletter, here's the TL;DR version.

Link: Apple Updates Final Cut Pro (v11.1), Motion (v5.10) and Compressor

NOTE: While I don't expect problems with these upgrades, you may want to wait a week or so before upgrading... just in case.

Later today, Axle AI will make two important announcements for its multi-user, media asset manager: The first improves data privacy in general and the second improves finding the media you need for Mac-based video editors.

Link: Better Data Privacy and Better Media Search for Mac Users from Axle AI

Jefferson Graham, one of the folks I'm interviewing at the NAB Show, reminds me that he's running a contest to giveaway a free Blackmagic Cinema 6K Camera. The rules: "Make a simple timelapse video with the Blackmagic app on iOS or Android and upload it to YouTube." No cost to participate.

Link: https://photowalkstv.com/timelapse-across-america/

This time next week, I'll be deep in interviews in South Lower Hall booth 13811 as the NAB Show swings into its annual manic action. I currently have 65 thought leaders and companies scheduled. As you look at this list, email me any questions you think I should ask. Be sure to tell me which company they are for.

Link: Larry’s Upcoming Interviews at the 2025 NAB Show – Las Vegas

NOTE: I'll start posting interviews after NAB ends, with the whole editing process taking about a week. More on that next week.

I mentioned at the top that Apple released a new version of Final Cut. Here are all the new features in Final Cut and how they work

Link: New Features in Apple Final Cut Pro 11.1

Thinking about Axle reminds me of three more excerpts from last week's webinar on Media Asset Management. (Remember you can stream the full version here, or download it here. Both are free.)

Link: Finding a Precise Needle in a Large Haystack – Searching for Media

Link: Send Media Files Directly From Axle to Clients, FCP, Resolve or Premiere

Link: Questions to Consider When Buying Media Asset Management Software

Back in late 2022, I asked readers to share how they recorded audio in their productions. Twelve editors responded with photos, gear, and descriptions. Here’s what they reported – photos, gear, and comments.

Link: Audio Production in the Real World

I fly to Las Vegas for NAB this Thursday. The show starts Sunday. I'm conducting about 22 interviews a day - each running around ten minutes - with editing starting as soon as I get back home. All these intervews are by invitation only. For the first time in a long time, though, I am only interviewing for the first three days. These give me an in-depth look at key companies with the ability to ask detailed questions. Which I enjoy.

But I decided to reserve the last day for walking the show and discovering products and companies that I don't know. I made a special point this year to invite companies that I haven't interviewed before. Out of 65 interviews, 29 are new. Walking the show floor will give me another chance to discover what I don't know.

And knowing what you don't know is always a good thing to know.

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

TUTORIALS & REVIEWS

» Business Survival for Media Creators (Commentary)

  » Times are hard for many of us, but there are ways we can successfully compete.

» Apple Updates Final Cut Pro, Motion and Compressor (News)

  » Here are the details of what Apple released.

» Axle Announces Better Data Privacy and Better Media Search (News)

  » Axle announced significant improvements to their media asset manager.

» Larry's Upcoming 2025 NAB Show Interviews (News)

  » Here's who I'm interviewing. Email me questions you want me to ask.

» New Features in Apple Final Cut Pro 11.1 (News)

  » Here's what they are and how they work.

» Searching for Media in Axle AI (Tutorial)

  » Here's how to find that precise needle in a large haystack.

» How to Send Files From Axle AI to Your NLE (Tutorial)

  » Axle supports Premiere Pro, Resolve, and Final Cut. Here's how.

» Questions to Ask When Buying a Media Asset Manager (Tutorial)

  » These are basic questions to ask when considering a MAM.

» Audio Production in the Real World (Tutorial)

  » I asked media pros how they record field audio. Here's what they said.

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