Not quite sure whether you can't find the filters (which i can help with) or tips for using them (which i can't). Apologies if you already know some of this stuff but i get the impression this is your first go. I learned on FCP but FCE is just the same for this- i checked.
To apply a filter:
So you've imported your movie, and it should be
listed in the browser window (by default the top right window i believe. So drag your movie into the timeline (bottom window) where it should appear as a long block. Next double click on the movie block in the timeline, and it will open that movie in the viewer wind (top left). In the viewer window, select the "filters" tab at the top of the window, and it will turn into a list with two items in it , video and audio filters. Now, in the browser window where the imported items are stored, select the small "effects" tab at the top. Look through the list for what you are after (i guess mostly this will be video filters>color correction).
Drag the filter you want over to the viewer window and let go. It will appear in the "video filters" list there, and below it should appear a whole load of options. Notice as you do this that a red bar appears above your movie on the timeline. Alter the settings of your chosen filter to what ou want. To see the effects, select your movie in the timeline by clicking on it. Now, that red bar which appeared earlier means that the video has to be rendered (to apply your chosen effects) before you can view it. To render it press apple-R and a progress bar will appear. Once the render is finished, you can play the movie either through the time (click at the start of the movie and press space) or in the viewer window by selecting the "video tab" and using the control buttons at the bottom of the little video screen.
Now, if your movie is of any length then rendering may take ages, and given you'll probably have to experiment with the filter settings to get what you want, it may be better to work on a small segment instead. To do this first look through the movie till you get a short representative segment, then select the razor blade tool from the toolbox at the bottom right (4th from bottom, or alternatively just press 'b' on your keyboard).
With the razor blade tool click on your movie in the timeline at either end of your test sequence- you'll see black lines appear, and you'll be left with three blocks in the timeline- 2 longs ones either side of your test sequence. Go back to the select tool (top in toolbox or letter a ) and click on the long bit before your test sequence and press delete. Do the same with the one after. Now double click on the test sequence to open it in the viewer and do as i already explained. Once you're done, note down your chosen settings, delete the test sequence and drag the whole movie into the timeline again from the browser window. Apply, render and voila!
Wow that was longer than i expected. Afraid i can't really recommend books as i learned Final Cut Pro from an editor rather than a book , then just fiddled around once i had the basics. I'm sure other will have more suggestions.
