FCP Tip - Change Colored Markers FAST!

One often overlooked power feature of Final Cut Pro 7  is the ability to not just make markers with the "m" key.  The "m" key always gives you the same default red marker.  What if you had to indicate something like script markers with one color and a select part of a take with another?

FCP has just that little known trick!  If you use the hot key combo of "shift + number on the number row" you will get a different corresponding color for each number.  This allows you to very quickly make a different color of marker without going into the edit marker dialogue box and selecting the new one.

One bonus tip regarding markers that is very similar to "range based keywording" in FCPX is an extended marker.  In order to make an extended marker on a clip or timeline simply make a marker as usual, then at the end of the range - hit "option + ~".  This will draw out a colored line that is the extent of the marked area.

I find extended markers useful for indicating segments or shots that need work that I will address after a directors review of the cut.