Apple is rumored to be launching a dramatic new version of Final Cut Pro next week during NAB. The rumored venue for the launch is, surprisingly enough, a Final Cut Pro User Group SuperMeet on April 12th. The early rumors claimed that several speakers and sponsors had been shuffled around at the last minute to accommodate Apple.
Philip Bloom just confirmed with me that Canon has canceled his appearance at the Supermeet, though he still may present (possibly as a guest of Apple.) At present he doesnt know if he will speak or not. Canon was told last night that Apple has demanded ALL lecturn or stage time exclusively.
....UPDATE: Avid confirmed that Supermeet (Michael Horton) told them last night that their sponsorship had been canceled. According to Avid, Apple doesnt want anyone to have stage time but them.
The SuperMeet website has been updated with the removal of many sponsor logos and a teaser about a special guest that you won't want to miss:
The Final Cut Pro User Group Network is excited to have a very special guest presentation at the 10th Annual Las Vegas FCPUG SuperMeet. Come to see a surprise sneak peek at something very special - you really do not want to miss this one!
FilmMakerMagazine collects some reaction about the possibilities and also points to this pre-NAB panel discussion with Mark Raudonis, head of post production at Bunim/Murray Productions. Raudonis was actually invited to Apple's preview event for industry leaders and shares some hints about the new product:
Raudonis's part talking about Final Cut Pro begins at 3 minutes into it and he starts off saying that he can't get into details and says this is as specific as he can get: "I was there, many other industry pros were also there, it was 'awesome'". But Roudonis does goes on to use some metaphors to describe Apple and the new Final Cut Pro.
What's Wayne Gretsky got to do with Final Cut Pro? If anyone knows the great one. If people asked him what was the secret to his success, his answer was "Skate to where the puck will be". And that really exemplifies Apple's philosophy, their attitude, their approach to what Final Cut will be.
....
I would say to you that there are few companies in the world that are as good at skating as [Apple is]. Your next question is probably... What the "puck"? Where is the puck headed? Again, I can't speak specifically, but I think the rest of the time here will be very interesting. Filebased workflows, Thunderbolt, iPad, Competition, it's a moving target. Adobe, Avid, Lightworks. There's a lot of other stuff out there. And they are certainly not ignorant of what's going on in the market at the moment.
I would also end with. Henry Ford "If I asked people what they wanted, they'd tell me they wanted a faster horse". So, Apple is very good at going their own way and figuring out where things will be. They may not ask you what you want. They are going to tell you 'we're going to invent something different.' And that's kind of my take away from it. I was very impressed, it was awesome and look out, I believe they say it will be available in Spring 2011. So, that goes all the way up to June 20th. So, that's what I know, that's what I can say, and if there's anyone from Apple out there, I hope you don't sue me."
