During the video production process, the longest and most difficult phase is editing, sometimes known as post-production. It also yields the greatest rewards. It might be difficult, especially if you’re new to the process, to make such important selections in the video editing basics how to prepare footage suite because there are so many alternatives and ways to consider.
Here’s a brief tutorial on basic video editing that covers some important pre-editing considerations as well as some basic video production principles to keep in mind while assembling your movie.
Things to think about before you begin editing videos
The editing process starts even before you launch the editing program on your computer. While you shoot, consider what you will need for your edit. Optimally, plan your edit before you start filming.
To assist you shoot what you need to realize your vision, create a shot list or even just a basic overview of what you want to capture. You’ll thank yourself later if you prepare ahead of time by getting organized.
Take enough videos for a quality edit.
I now have a great deal of respect for both filming and editing after some time. More shooters ought to, in my opinion, pick up these skills and learn how to approach a shot like an editor. See this lesson for 7 suggestions on how to shoot more like an editor.
1. Transitional images
Acquiring the skill of taking transitional shots enhances the overall appearance of your work and offers an innovative method of achieving transitions without the need for forced crossovers and fades.
2. Slate your attempts
By using a slate, you or your editor may live longer. A slate can be the most effective way to arrange your material in post-production if your shoot includes a number of scenes, takes, and shots. I promise it will spare you a great deal of suffering.
3. Cross-cutting a video
When you shoot something that requires multiple takes and angles, be sure to capture all the action on camera. This will give you more options when processing later and will make editing, slicing, and merge video much easier.
4. Turn it into a movie
When doing an interview, ask the talent to state their name, title, and spelling as it appears on screen. Your editor can quickly add this information later on without having to look up names and emails.
5. B-Roll
Never stop shooting more B-roll than you believe you’ll need. Every video needs B-roll; without it, the piece won’t flow together properly and you risk losing viewers.
6. Get Lots of Practice
You may become a more proficient shooter and develop your talents by practicing both shooting and editing.
7. Remember The Tone
It is crucial to understand the subject matter of the story and the possible or actual tone. The way you record b-roll and other video is frequently determined by the project’s tone. Is there a fear component to the project? Next, take handled photos instead of using smooth slider pictures.
Select the top-rated video editing program.
Numerous solutions exist for editing software, some more advanced than others. Performance and usability (or familiarity) should be balanced in your selection. Every platform has a learning curve, and the slope gets steeper with additional features.
To help you choose the best kind of software, you can answer these questions.
The top program for editing videos
- The best video cutter for beginners is Movavi Video Editor.
- For Windows and Mac, DaVinci Resolve is the greatest free video editor.
- For Mac users that require a professional tool set, Final Cut Pro
- Clipchamp for rapid online modifications
- Luxea Pro is a mid-range solution that Windows users might consider.
- For simple to use video effects and corrections, try Animoto.
- iMovie for Mac users seeking a high-quality free download
Getting Your Video Ready
A video’s objective is to convey a narrative through a series of related individual shots. Having everything labeled and arranged will help you discover the proper shots and prepare them without missing any crucial details.
The act of going over, removing, and arranging all of your video’s assets is known as video file management. You can discover the relevant pieces quickly and easily if you organize all of your files and film, make folders on your computer, and rename your files.
You can also determine if you have all the videos you need if you keep the story in mind.
Once the unnecessary shots have been removed, you should edit the remaining film. What does that signify?
Let’s examine the fundamental instruments for video editing that you will require to produce your video clips.
Trimming Videos
Another word for this is cropping, which is the process of reducing the size of a video so that it fits inside a specific frame and eliminates any undesirable portions. If you want to highlight or obscure specific scenes in the video, this tool is ideal.
Videos That Rotate
You can adjust the video’s angle with the use of the rotating tool. It’s frequently used to correct shots that you got oriented incorrectly. You can choose to rotate left or right and recommend an angle (90° or 180°) in your video editor.
More Features for Editing Videos
What gives a video a polished appearance? It’s the ideal flow of scenes, with one shot enhancing the others and advancing the plot in a natural way. It’s up to you to choose that order and use text, audio, and transitions to link the scenes in your video.
Transitions in Videos
Special effects called video transitions are what link one scene to the next. They are employed to facilitate the easiest feasible change from one scene to the next.
Why are transitions necessary? They make you stand out from the crowd, give your videos a polished look, enhance the artistic quality of your narrative, elicit strong feelings, and establish a certain atmosphere.
There are various kinds of transitions, and you can use built-in transitions in most video editing software for your project. The following are a few of the most typical transition types:
- Incorporate and exit (using hues)
- In and out of focus to add motion
- Transitions between slides (up, down, left, right)
- Wipes and swipes
- Twists and spins
- hazy transition
- Transitions of the iris (in and out)
Although experimenting with transitions is always a good idea, remember that you should only use three different types of transitions in a single video and that you should utilize comparable transitions. Maintaining the ideal balance of effects is what will make your video interesting to watch rather than annoying your audience.
Ultimately, the most important things are the caliber of your film and the way you present your narrative.
Write on Film
Your movie text is the next item you should focus on. You will need to add text to your scenes, such as titles, captions, or a lower third, depending on the style of film you are making.
Why is adding text to your movies necessary?
- Use titles to introduce your material.
- Text: expand on context, draw attention to actions, and maintain interest.
- Captions and subtitles improve watch time, improve accessibility, and improve SEO.
When adding text, keep the following points in mind:
- Text positioning and timing
- Text size
- Colors and fonts
The majority of software for editing videos includes various text effects. Of course, you may also try them out until you determine which one works best for your film.
Most online video editors come with editable typeface templates that have predefined layouts. You may modify them by uploading your movies and adding text, which makes it simple for you to add text. Make your writings easy to read and simple. In order to avoid distracting your viewer, make sure that your text enhances and offers more context to any voice-overs. You wouldn’t want them to overlook your crucial message, would you?
FAQs for video editing 101
What are the fundamentals of editing videos?
Organizing and modifying video footage to produce a cohesive end result is known as video editing. This involves knowing how to use your editing program, organizing and trimming clips, adding transitions, color grading, sound editing, and exporting the finished video in the format you want.
How can I educate myself to edit videos?
Through online tutorials, courses, and editing software practice, you can learn how to edit videos. As you gain comfort, work your way up to more complicated editing jobs by starting with simpler ones.
What does the 3-2-1 rule mean when editing videos?
One of the greatest practices for backing up video data is the 3-2-1 rule. It advises that you keep three copies of your data on two distinct kinds of media and that you store one copy off-site for security.
