Editing is a vital component of any video. It's the glue that holds together your story and can make or break your video. But editing isn't just for professionals—it's also accessible to beginners with the right tools and tips. In this post, we'll share some of our favorites for getting started on your first edit (or tenth!)
Know your project.
First and foremost, knowing your project is the most important thing you can do before editing. It’s a good idea to list what you want to achieve with your edit and what you have to work with. There are many elements to a successful video edit that you should consider before getting started, including:
- What do you want to achieve? What is the message of your video, and what do you want people to take away from it?
- What have you got to work with? Is it footage or stills, are they good quality or grainy, do they all match in terms of lighting and color, etc.
- Who is your audience? How old are they likely to be, what gender/ethnicity will they be (if applicable), where will they watch the video (e.g., TV vs online streaming), and how long are they likely going to watch it (e.g., 10 minutes vs half an hour). This will help determine whether there should be background music or not; whether there should be sound effects; what kind of titles would work best, if any, etcetera.
Get organized.
Organization is key to the success of any project, and video editing is no exception. Unorganized footage can make it difficult to find what you're looking for when you need it most, whether in the middle of an edit or just before publishing the final video on YouTube. If you don't have an organizational system for your clips before starting your revision, create one now!
Here are some tips for making sure you don’t lose track of things or end up with too much footage:
- Create an outline or shot list. An outline is simply a list of all the shots that will be included in your video, while a shot list specifies exactly what type of shot each clip will be (close-up, medium shot, etc.). Creating either one is helpful because it allows you to see at a glance what footage you have available and which shots might need more work before they're ready for editing.
- Create an edit plan. Now that you have an idea of what kind of content you want in your final product and where each piece fits into place—as well as how much time it's going to take—you can create an edit schedule by breaking down those tasks into specific steps: from planning out each scene and organizing clips, so they're easy to find later—to make sure everything gets finished on time.
Create a storyboard.
The storyboard is a visual representation of the video and an essential tool in video editing. It can be as straightforward or as in-depth as necessary, depending on your project. In some cases, all that's needed is a few notes describing each scene and shot—the main goal here is to make sure you have an idea of what's going on before you start editing so that it will be easier once you begin cutting.
There are a few ways to create a storyboard:
- Write down everything you want to include in your video on sticky notes and put them on a wall or whiteboard as if it were a layout for an advertisement.
- Affix each note with some kind of visual representation (like arrows) that show how shots transition from one scene into another, which parts are most important, etc.
- Then start cutting out unnecessary items from the board and re-arrange them until you have something that makes sense visually and fits within your allotted time frame.
Use transitions carefully.
Transitions are the tools you use to show how one scene or shot relates to another. They can be used to direct the viewer's attention, to show a change in time or location, and even to indicate a change in mood.
This is an excellent way of adding visual interest and ensuring your edit looks polished and professional. You don't have to use them all the time, but make sure you're using them where it counts—when transitioning from one scene into another.
Find the right software.
When it comes to the right software for your video editing needs, there are a few things you should look for.
- Is it easy to use? If it's complicated and difficult to figure out, then it probably won't be worth your time or money.
- The price of the software should be affordable. While some great programs out there cost a lot of money, you may only need something simple and inexpensive as long as it meets your basic needs.
- Does it work with any operating system? You might want something that works on both Macs and PCs, or just one or the other.
- What kind of file types does it support? Some programs only support certain file formats, so if you're looking for something specific (like something from YouTube), make sure that program supports that format. Or you can use tools like MP4 or AVI converter.
Make smart use of effects and filters.
Effects and filters are significant but don't overuse them. You can use effects to highlight the action and draw attention to your story's most important moments. Make sure effects match with what’s happening on-screen. An effect that's too subtle won't add anything to your edit; an obvious effect will look like a mistake in editing instead of adding value to it; an effect that's distracting takes away from what should be an aesthetically pleasing experience for viewers instead of enhancing their viewing experience (and could even make them feel ill).
Pay attention to continuity.
Continuity is a key element in video editing. It's the consistency of the elements in your video, including camera movements and sound effects.
For example, if you're shooting a scene where your subject walks into a room and changes locations, maintaining continuity would be essential so that viewers don't notice something different about the scene. Continuity can also come into play when someone changes clothes or makeup throughout one shot. If you're not careful with these details. In that case, it could confuse viewers who aren't used to seeing this type of thing on television or any other medium for entertainment (it's just not done).
Don't forget about audio.
Audio is an integral part of your video, no matter what kind of video it is. Whether you're using a script or not, audio can emphasize the story and make it more engaging. It is also a key to making the video more fun—think about it: music and sound effects are used to set the mood in every movie trailer, whether it's an action flick or romantic comedy.
Add music or voice-overs at the end.
You'll want to add music or voice-overs at the end of your video. If you're unsure what kind of music will suit your project, do some research and look up other videos similar in length and genre. You can also get inspiration from popular songs, movies, and television shows.
Voiceovers are another great way to add audio effects into any video editing project too--whether they're narrations by professional actors or just simple phrases said by regular people who aren't necessarily versed in acting but still want their voices heard!
Watch it together with friends or family to get feedback.
It's essential to get feedback from others because they may notice things you missed when editing the video, and they'll be able to point out things you might not have thought about. You should also ensure that your viewers can understand your video's message by watching it with them!
Conclusion: Creating a video can be learned with practice, trial, and error.
Practice makes perfect!
This is a cliche, but it’s true! The best way to improve your video editing skills is to practice as much as possible. You can do this by watching videos and trying to copy their style, or you might want to try creating your video based on your interests. The more familiar you are with the editing software, the better it will be for you when working on a project. You can start by learning the basics like how to compress a video or simply cut a video file. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes while practicing either; they help teach us what not to do in our future projects!
