Video editors shape the media they work with in order to convey a message, build meaning, and engage an audience. Given the same raw footage, two different editors could make two completely different videos. But a good editor should always be in tune with how people think and feel and then use this knowledge to build compelling stories. One of the great things about digital video editing is that you don’t need to know everything there is to know about the software to produce a high-quality final product. There are some really useful video editing tips and tricks that will help you create a smooth workflow and a fantastic result.
Here are 6 of the best video editing tips and tricks for beginner video editors!
Choose A Software
Choosing video editing software can be difficult, especially if you are a beginner. The three most popular programs are Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve. However, even if you use a Mac, Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve is still the best option for beginning editors.
Tight Cut Your Videos
Any video featuring a lot of dialogue will benefit from an editor who can make tight cuts. A tight cut is one that eliminates unnecessary pauses and gaps between dialogue, or even removes lines of dialogue altogether. Most projects also have a rough running time that needs to be kept in mind, and making efficient cuts can help you avoid having to go back and rework scenes if the edit runs long.
Find The Best Angles
It’s common for a scene to begin with several camera angles. However, once the audience is oriented and dialogue begins, medium and close-up shots are most important. The reason is that it’s usually more interesting to watch speakers' facial expressions and gestures up close rather than from far away.
Edit Mistakes Magically
In the post-production world, editors hone their skills to edit out technical and speaking mistakes in a way that’s so seamless, it’s hard to tell what’s been removed. One method often used is called cutting on action. This technique involves cutting from one shot to a second shot that omits any mistakes that were made. Cutting on action gives the audience the impression of continuous-time when they’re watching the edited film even though the shots used for the scene in the final cut could have been shot hours or even days apart.
B-Roll Shots
Good use of B-roll would be to show a character entering a room and looking around. In this case, 3 point-of-view inserts could be used to give the audience a good idea of the landscape that the character has just encountered. This approach also feels natural to them because it mimics how we experience the real world as we move through our surroundings.
Don't Get Too Overwhelmed
Take a break, go on a walk. If you're new to video editing, things can get too overwhelming. After spending a lot of time working on the same project, editors can lose perspective on their material. By taking a break for a while and returning with fresh eyes, you'll be able to make the best editing decisions possible.
Besides, LUTs will save you in making your final output look the way you envisioned it to be.