Video editing is the process of manipulating and arranging video shots to create a new piece of work. It is considered to be one component of the post-production process. Video editing is done for several types of work including, but not limited to professional cinematography/film-making and individual content creators. Video editing includes arranging clips, choosing the best footage by removing parts of clips or whole clips, color correction, creating transitions between clips, adding text, adding music, adding graphics, or even voice-overs.
Software and Tutorials
If you want to learn video editing, the first step in the process is to learn the basics. There are several programs in the market that can get you started. There are free programs and paid ones too. The best programs to start learning basic video editing are iMovie (Apple only, free), Final Cut Pro X (Apple only, $300), Windows Movie Maker (Windows only, free), Adobe Premiere Pro (Apple or Windows, paid subscription). YouTube is the great resource to find basic, intermediate, or advanced tutorials. You do not need to have prior experience using any type of software. Learning these skills takes time, patience, and consistency.
Creating your First Edit
It is now time to create your first edit! There are a number of ways to edit a video, and what you choose to include depends on what type of video you are creating, for whom you are creating the video for, and why you are creating the video. Focusing on your target audience is important. I always start with a title screen. The title screen can have a photo or video behind your text. Transitions are one of my favorite things to use in my work, so I would recommend adding a smooth transition into your first clip after the title screen. I recommend using a fade-in or cross-dissolve transition.
Next, you will need to figure out which clips you want to include in your project, as well as figuring out what you may want to remove from any given clip. Once you have your clips in your desired order, I would not focus on adding transitions between every clip, as this will often interfere with the smoothness/flow of the video.
Then, I would start going through each clip and adjusting the lighting and colors if necessary. Brightness, exposure, and vibrancies are what I typically use in most of my work. But once again, you are welcome to make any adjustments you'd like that fit your tastes. If this was a short film, including a credits screen at the end will be necessary. If this was a vlog or tutorial, an ending clip may not be necessary, but, feel free to add one if you'd like. Lastly, if you have a voice-over and/or music for your video, feel free to add it in and adjust the volume to your desired levels.
Final Thoughts
Video editing is all about letting your creativity flow! Don't be afraid to experiment; trial and error is key. Be proud of your work, monitor your progress, and celebrate your success! Once you feel comfortable with the basics, you are welcome to Google any questions you have, or watch more YouTube tutorials! Before uploading your video to your choice of platform, it is always beneficial to watch your newly edited video for flow and clarity. It is also beneficial to obtain constructed feedback by other people on your video. Ideally, an experienced video editor/content creator.
留言