Editing video editing is the process by which you take footage that you recorded, cut and splice it together to create a compelling movie, short, instructional video, seminar, or any other type of video that you desire. It is important to have quality shots to work with before you head into the editing stage of your production. If all you have is of poor quality or doesn’t convey what you had intended from the beginning, then you will be limited in how effective the editing process can be.
2. Editing video really does not have
to be difficult.
An editor will become stressed
overthinking an edit project.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
Follow some simple rules and any
session will go much easier.
3. Video editing is a learned skill just
Like any other specialty in the
world of video production.
I would say it’s more than a skill.
I would go as far as calling it an
artistic craft.
4. Just like any other craft that can
be learned, editing doesn’t have
to hurt your head to allow you to
become very proficient at it.
Here are a few pointers that can
help you in the post production
phase…to feel like a professional.
6. Watch any evening newscast.
It will quickly become apparent
the newsreader you’re watching
is seldom shot at the same angle,
or with the same camera
composition for more than one
story introduction.
7. Video is meant to be an
entertaining medium not one to
simply pass along the facts. For
that we turn to the written world
of newspapers and magazines.
When shooting your video keep
in mind all the choices of framing.
8. Even if your production is a
simple one person on-camera
read presented by you with a
locked off camera.
You can mix up your framing
between a close-up or a medium
shot.
9. The subject can be shot center
frame or slightly left or right of
frame to allow for graphics to be
placed over subject’s shoulder.
There are a couple of ways you
can achieve this multiple framing
effect.
10. First, record the subject using 2
cameras at the same time. One
camera could be framed on a
close-up and the 2nd could be
framed on a loose medium shot.
The person reading would then
turn their head and eye-line
throughout the read…
11. If you don’t own two cameras
you can also achieve this effect
very effectively by having the
subject read the same content
twice. For one take, the camera
can be framed tighter and then
the 2nd take is framed looser.
12. This may take a few attempts to
get it right but you’ll be amazed
at how consistently the content is
delivered.
13. Then by simply making a series of
edits when the subject changes
their eye-line you can achieve a
pleasant variety of composition
and mixture of backgrounds.
14. If you’re planning on having the
subject edited together with
other footage consider a variety
of shoot locations.
Some could be standing in front
of a white or black screen to
allow for graphics at other times
15. you could be in a more casual
setting like that of a living room
or possibly an office or study.
17. I like to use the analogy of the
tempo of a good song. Seldom
will a piece of music go from
beginning to end keeping the
exact same pace. There could be
periods of repetition followed by
quick moments of activity…
18. There will be spots in the music
which may be barren, as in a
single instrument to be followed
by the entire band or orchestra
jumping back in.
Overall effect is very entertaining.
19. You should try to achieve the
same results when it comes to
editing. Try to vary your tempo
or length of shots you use.
Possibly have a quick series of
shots followed by a long steady
passage.
21. As a good editor you must train
yourself to become extremely
critical of the quality of the
content. It is far too easy to
become attached to the content
because either you wrote it or
possibly presented in on-camera.
22. Just because it’s yours doesn’t
always mean it’s good.
Try to view your content with an
objective eye, always keeping
your audience in mind when
deciding if some material should
be left on the cutting room floor.
24. Never lose sight of what your
final objective should be as an
editor.
Regardless of the number of
tricks and techniques you have at
your disposal, you should never
lose sight of the fact that you’re
25. presenting a story or message
that you want to communicate to
your audience.
Easy video editing is your goal.
Video editing should be an
enjoyable and creative task. Try
new ways of storytelling.
26. Try to incorporate new
techniques with your established
ways of handling post-
production. When you integrate
some of these tips into your
cutting style I think you’ll be
pleased with your results.