So, you’ve filmed a movie, shot some video content or filmed a music video. What now? Having great footage is one thing, but piecing it together in an engaging, moving way that intrigues audiences is another. Editing in post-production requires a mix of creativity and technical knowledge and takes practice to refine. Join us to take a look at ways to make the video editing process as smooth and productive as possible.
Video Editing Tips & Tricks
Choosing Software
The first step to video editing is choosing which software you will use. It’s important to find software that works for you, has the functionality for what you need and works with your computer. Top choices for editing software are After Effects, Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro and Avid Media Composer. Some lesser known options include Lightworks and Sony Vegas, so it is worth checking those out too. For basic video editing or beginners, iMovie is also a great free option!
It is a good idea to try out some free trials of the software beforehand. This can help you figure out which you find easiest to use and which provides your desired outcome.
Computer
We won’t advise you on what computer or laptop to use, or whether to use Mac vs PC. The most important thing is being able to store large files without worrying about slow rendering. Investing in a storage drive will allow you to access your files faster and speed up the process. We would also advise increasing your computer’s memory (or ‘RAM’) to at least 8 GB. Also, look into the recommended video card and processor for your software. Using external hard drives for your footage will also help to free up more computer memory. USB hard drives work great!
Cutting & Choosing Clips
Selecting clips can be tricky when you have a lot of footage. Our advice is to remember the goal of your video. What is the story and what are you trying to achieve? Choose clips that really convey any emotion, and order them as you go along, removing excess unwanted footage. Refer back to the storyboard you made for filming to keep the order straight, too!
Get Organized
Being organized with your video editing can make all the difference. Organize your projects and files into folders, and make you sure you know where your footage, projects, audio files and images are located. If you’re having difficulty deciding between clips, put your back-ups into another folder so that you don’t lose your alternatives.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are a great way to perform functions quickly and easily in your editing software. You can customize different sets of shortcuts based on what works for you, and with practice, it will speed up your workflow significantly.
Do Your Research & Know Your Terms
You may be working with other people on the editing, or have to communicate with other editors or clients for your videos. Therefore, here are some handy terms to learn:
- Jump Cuts – Cutting out parts to skip uninteresting moments
- J Cut – Where the audio precedes the video
- L Cut – Where the audio precedes the video
- Cutaways – Adding transition pieces such as the surrounding environment, a car passing etc. to add meaning or heighten the mood
- Match Cut or Match Action – Cutting together two similar shots or scenes
There are tons of other terms that are helpful to know, so make sure to do your research beforehand. Watch similar videos in similar styles to get some ideas, and get practicing!
Color Correction
Color can be used to manipulate or highlight subjects, evoke emotions and translate the mood of the scene. Today’s editing programs provide a lot of color editing options, and these options include color correction and color grading. Color correction ensures that the colors are consistent, and color grading can give you film a different look. This helps to differentiate scenes to show a difference, such as flashbacks vs the current moment.
Choosing Music
Music is an extremely important element of videos. Choosing the right song and licensing it correctly can make all the difference. Your music should complement the mood or message of the video. The first step is to make a list of what genres would work with your footage and story. We can help with finding great music for your videos. Keep reading to find out how!
Text & Graphics
If you want to add text or graphics, you can do this using your editing software. There are ready-made templates for After Effects made by RocketStock, if you want to find something quickly that works. Text ideas could include opening or closing credits, billboards and the title. Keep your text simple, don’t overwhelm your footage and over-explain!
Exporting
Once your video is finished and ready to be exported, you may be tempted to export it at the largest resolution. This works for cinemas and HD screens, but if you are going to be posting your video online, you should export smaller, high-quality versions.
When exporting for the web, the goal is to create a file that maintains its high quality without making it too heavy for upload. If you’re unsure about the export settings to use, don’t worry. Sites like YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo all have recommended export settings. Do your research on recommended export settings for different platforms such as Vimeo, Facebook and Instagram. You can check out our article on Instagram video recommendations here.
How Audiosocket Can Help
Another important part of creating video content is finding music for your project, and we want to help! Audiosocket offers a wide catalog of over 80,000 tracks and 2,000 sound designs! Starting at just $10 a month, you can have unlimited access to tons of tracks. So, what are you waiting for? Get started now!