Difference between revisions of "Edit a Video Clip"
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'''Note:''' This article is about editing a singular video clip, not editing films or longer videos. [http://www.wikihow.com/Edit-Videos To read about film editing, click here.] | '''Note:''' This article is about editing a singular video clip, not editing films or longer videos. [http://www.wikihow.com/Edit-Videos To read about film editing, click here.] | ||
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Editing Any Clip=== | ===Editing Any Clip=== | ||
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#*Place your titles in the upper or lower third of the screen for a professional look. | #*Place your titles in the upper or lower third of the screen for a professional look. | ||
#Export the final clip to use it however you want. Usually, you click "File" → "Export" to send your video out into the world. While you have a wide variety of options available, the most common video file extensions are .mov, .mp4, and .avi. These three formats can play on YouTube, Vimeo, and most other streaming sites and computers. | #Export the final clip to use it however you want. Usually, you click "File" → "Export" to send your video out into the world. While you have a wide variety of options available, the most common video file extensions are .mov, .mp4, and .avi. These three formats can play on YouTube, Vimeo, and most other streaming sites and computers. | ||
| − | #*Some programs only have a "Save As" button, which brings up a menu that allows you select your video type.<ref>http://www.motionelements.com/blog/articles/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-5-most-common-video-file-formats</ref><span id="pros"></span> | + | #*Some programs only have a "Save As" button, which brings up a menu that allows you select your video type.<ref name="rf1">http://www.motionelements.com/blog/articles/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-5-most-common-video-file-formats</ref><span id="pros"></span> |
===Editing Like a Professional=== | ===Editing Like a Professional=== | ||
#Use a quality, professional non-linear editing system. Non-Linear Editing (NLE) is just a fancy way to say you're no longer editing rolls of film by hand. That said, the term has come to mean mostly high-end, quality video editing software with robust features and controls. You should use what is comfortable to you. Options include: | #Use a quality, professional non-linear editing system. Non-Linear Editing (NLE) is just a fancy way to say you're no longer editing rolls of film by hand. That said, the term has come to mean mostly high-end, quality video editing software with robust features and controls. You should use what is comfortable to you. Options include: | ||
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#*'''Adobe Premier:''' One of the classics, Premier works well on Mac and PC. If you use other Adobe products, like Photoshop, you may find Premier easy and intuitive to get used to. | #*'''Adobe Premier:''' One of the classics, Premier works well on Mac and PC. If you use other Adobe products, like Photoshop, you may find Premier easy and intuitive to get used to. | ||
#*'''Final Cut X Pro:''' This specific version of Final Cut was considered ''the'' industry standard for a long time, though it has gotten weaker with updates. Very popular for Mac computers. | #*'''Final Cut X Pro:''' This specific version of Final Cut was considered ''the'' industry standard for a long time, though it has gotten weaker with updates. Very popular for Mac computers. | ||
| − | #*'''Avid:''' The standard of many professional film editors, Avid has all the functionality of its competitors and an interface made to work on the project with a large team.<ref>http://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/8-types-digital-video-editing-software-worth-knowing</ref> | + | #*'''Avid:''' The standard of many professional film editors, Avid has all the functionality of its competitors and an interface made to work on the project with a large team.<ref name="rf2">http://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/8-types-digital-video-editing-software-worth-knowing</ref> |
#Think about the "story" you want your video to tell. What is it your clip is trying to say? Does it tell an actual story or plot? Is it just a funny event you saw the other day? Is it a powerful speech you captured? Figure out what the purpose of your video is -- how do you want to change the viewer's mood when they finish watching? Good editors highlight this idea and use it to guide all of their editing decisions. | #Think about the "story" you want your video to tell. What is it your clip is trying to say? Does it tell an actual story or plot? Is it just a funny event you saw the other day? Is it a powerful speech you captured? Figure out what the purpose of your video is -- how do you want to change the viewer's mood when they finish watching? Good editors highlight this idea and use it to guide all of their editing decisions. | ||
#*What is the main point, image, or idea of the video? How can you bring it front and center? | #*What is the main point, image, or idea of the video? How can you bring it front and center? | ||
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#Trim the video to be as short as possible without losing quality. If the shot, moment, or image isn't adding anything to the story, ditch it. For good video clips, every single frame needs to seem intentional -- this isn't a movie, this is a short scene that needs to hold a viewer's complete attention the entire run-time. | #Trim the video to be as short as possible without losing quality. If the shot, moment, or image isn't adding anything to the story, ditch it. For good video clips, every single frame needs to seem intentional -- this isn't a movie, this is a short scene that needs to hold a viewer's complete attention the entire run-time. | ||
#*If you're only using one continuous camera feed, you can still mask over mistakes or slow moments with well-placed text or music.<reF>http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=2233986&seqNum=4</ref> | #*If you're only using one continuous camera feed, you can still mask over mistakes or slow moments with well-placed text or music.<reF>http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=2233986&seqNum=4</ref> | ||
| − | #Make all transitions as smooth and barely noticeable as possible. Flashy, obnoxious transitions are the hallmark of many poor editors. Ditch the snazzy flashbulb and stick to simple fades, dissolves, and hard cuts (no transition at all) when switching between clips. If you want to use a fancy effect, use it to transition in and out of the clip at the very beginning and end.<ref>http://12starsmedia.com/blog/transitions-when-not-to-use-cuts-dissolves-slides-wipes</ref> | + | #Make all transitions as smooth and barely noticeable as possible. Flashy, obnoxious transitions are the hallmark of many poor editors. Ditch the snazzy flashbulb and stick to simple fades, dissolves, and hard cuts (no transition at all) when switching between clips. If you want to use a fancy effect, use it to transition in and out of the clip at the very beginning and end.<ref name="rf3">http://12starsmedia.com/blog/transitions-when-not-to-use-cuts-dissolves-slides-wipes</ref> |
#*Never use the novelty cuts and transitions, like "Star Wipe." They just distract from your actual video. | #*Never use the novelty cuts and transitions, like "Star Wipe." They just distract from your actual video. | ||
| − | #Remember the rule of thirds, especially when titling. The rule of thirds comes from photography, and is used to compose great frames for film or photos. Mentally divide the frame with two horizontal lines and two vertical lines, so you have nine even boxes on your image. The rule of thirds states, simply, that the best images place items on these lines. When titling or adjusting the image, try to line up your text, the horizon, and special effects with these imaginary guidelines.<ref>http://www.videoschoolonline.com/better-video-editing-techniques/</ref> | + | #Remember the rule of thirds, especially when titling. The rule of thirds comes from photography, and is used to compose great frames for film or photos. Mentally divide the frame with two horizontal lines and two vertical lines, so you have nine even boxes on your image. The rule of thirds states, simply, that the best images place items on these lines. When titling or adjusting the image, try to line up your text, the horizon, and special effects with these imaginary guidelines.<ref name="rf4">http://www.videoschoolonline.com/better-video-editing-techniques/</ref> |
#Balance color, sound, and music to ensure that your video's content shines. The purpose of a good editor is to disappear, and this is doubly true for a short video clip. Use a basic color correcter, like your program's "color balance" effect (they all have one) to make the footage smooth and attractive. Then lower the volume on the music so that you can still hear the camera audio. Make sure that, when played together, the sound is not too loud. Remember -- you want people focused on content, not why the music is too loud or the video looks "too blue." | #Balance color, sound, and music to ensure that your video's content shines. The purpose of a good editor is to disappear, and this is doubly true for a short video clip. Use a basic color correcter, like your program's "color balance" effect (they all have one) to make the footage smooth and attractive. Then lower the volume on the music so that you can still hear the camera audio. Make sure that, when played together, the sound is not too loud. Remember -- you want people focused on content, not why the music is too loud or the video looks "too blue." | ||
| − | #*Audio needs to be faded in and out, just like video, to sound natural.<ref | + | #*Audio needs to be faded in and out, just like video, to sound natural.<ref name="rf4" /> |
#Keep editing in mind next time you go shoot a clip. If you're only recording simple, one-take clips, then this doesn't need to apply. But, for all other shoots, knowing that you'll be editing a video later should make you a much more diligent camera person. Some things to consider include: | #Keep editing in mind next time you go shoot a clip. If you're only recording simple, one-take clips, then this doesn't need to apply. But, for all other shoots, knowing that you'll be editing a video later should make you a much more diligent camera person. Some things to consider include: | ||
#*Always shoot run-in and run-out footage, or 5 seconds of nothing before and after shot. This gives you crucial editing footage to splice with other shots. | #*Always shoot run-in and run-out footage, or 5 seconds of nothing before and after shot. This gives you crucial editing footage to splice with other shots. | ||
#*Take a few shots of "coverage," or the setting around you, that you can cut to hide any mistakes in the footage. | #*Take a few shots of "coverage," or the setting around you, that you can cut to hide any mistakes in the footage. | ||
| − | #*Never skimp on audio. If you can, use a dedicated microphone instead of a camera mic, or simply record a few minutes of background noise in your location to edit over mistakes later.<ref>http://www.masteringfilm.com/good-video-editing-techniques-to-consider/</ref> | + | #*Never skimp on audio. If you can, use a dedicated microphone instead of a camera mic, or simply record a few minutes of background noise in your location to edit over mistakes later.<ref name="rf5">http://www.masteringfilm.com/good-video-editing-techniques-to-consider/</ref> |
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
