Have you ever watched a video that just blew your mind and thought, ‘This looks SO good! How did they do it!’? If you are a complete beginner in the realm of video editing, chances are you feel totally intimidated by all the features and the special language that surrounds it. I know I did! Starting out with video editing feels like jumping into the deep end without a life jacket. But don’t panic! Whether you are desperate to make epic travel montages or want to look like a true professional with your vlogs, fear not my friend. Your journey towards becoming an editor is about to begin, and we have the top 10 video editing tips you will need to become a pro editor in no time.
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1. Start with a Plan
And get planning before you even consider opening any editing software. Plot out your story before you go out to film. Decide what your key points are. Then, those loose ends of footage will start to make sense. It’s just like planning a road trip – you have to know where you’re going before you get in the car.
2. Get Comfortable with Your Software
Every tool, every video-editing program has its little things, those funky idiosyncrasies and handy features that you’ll get to know. If you’ve installed a new cutting program (there are plenty of high-quality free options, such as DaVinci Resolve), dig in and get familiar with where stuff is, and what stuff those tools are. Play with the interface and be curious. That time investment will pay off handsomely.
3. Master the Art of Cutting
Perhaps the most vital skill in editing is knowing what to leave out. Don’t try to put in every clip you shot. Go for the good stuff. This makes it easier to hold the audience’s attention – and more effective, too. Think of pruning the fat: make it all about the meat!
4. Use Transitions Sparingly
Transitions can make a video look cinematic, but too many can be distracting. Stick to simple transitions (such as fades and cuts) unless you have (editorial) reason for something more complex. Less is more. Transitions are a visual garnish to enhance the flow rather than replace it.
5. Add Music Wisely
Get the music right, get it wrong and your video falls flat on its face. Tracks that match the tone are a must. Steer clear of tracks with lyrics, unless they are easily understood using subtitles. Check that no-one else is using the same track in your chosen niche, and try to avoid royalty tracks unless you actually have the royalties! Plenty of royalty free music libraries have tracks to match any niche video. Get the music right, or… Music!
6. Play with Speed and Timing
Increasing play speed (speeding up the clips) or decreasing play speed (slowing them down) can lend drama, or at least, draw focus to any particular moment in the action. But sparingly, mind. The rule holds for all these tweaks – subtle often works best. You can go far with them in making your video look not gimmicky, but actually better.
7. Incorporate Text and Graphics
Text and graphics can offer two valuable functions when applied to a finished production: they can highlight important notes or be used to split or transition segments. Make all text legible throughout the duration (or select a less evident/readable style for a title treatment). Make sure that the graphics add style or support to your message – nothing more than that.
8. Color Correct Like a Pro
Finally, a little color correction goes a long way. Most of us find home video grainy or slightly green. If the camera records a balanced image from the start, you can tune it up so the video looks natural and professional. No need to know what a colour wheel is or how to log light readings. The more visible the discrepancy the more you want to correct it Most editors have basic color correction built into their programmes, and it tends to be pretty intuitive once you get the hang of it. Get comfortable playing with it and see what results look best.
9. Sound Matters
Audio quality is at least as important as visual quality. If possible, record your audio separately and don’t forget to add it back to your video timeline. Use its own audio tracts, so you can customize the audio separately for each version of your video. At the minimum, be sure to review audio (when shown in your editing program’s viewer) or try using a headphone while recording audio. Make sure your audio sounds clear and balanced. Use the noise reduction tools in your editing program to reduce noise as much as possible and adjust levels (of each of your clips) so they are all sounding good. Good audio alone can make or break the quality of your video.
10. Keep Practicing and Learning
And, most importantly, remember that making a video comes from practice. If you’re having trouble the first time you put two clips together, try not to get discouraged. Keep trying, learning and watching tutorials. The more you edit, the better you’ll get. Your next video may blow everyone out of the water!
Need support for video editing but don’t know where to start? Social media, Vlogs? Simply for fun? Contact our professional team and turn your idea into a professional footage like a Pro in no time! Contact us now and Create amazing video online.
Are you ready? If you incorporate these techniques into your video editing work, you’ll be well on your way to creating videos that look professional and feel great. With your footage in front of you and your editing software up and running, make sure to reach out and grab hold of that brick. Next thing you know, you’ll be a video editing ninja!