The post-processing stage in creating a delectable video clip is not daunting. However, the editing phase marks the excellence of any video. This stage’s significance is that it requires a blend of two vital aspects; technical knowledge and innovative thoughts. At the same time, there are incredible online platforms available these days that allow beginners to accomplish the magnificent task of video editing without the need to be a professional. Therefore, this article aims to highlight the critical tips for beginners to edit a video.
Table of Contents
Prerequisite for Video Editing
The crucial step to becoming an excellent video editor is to identify the right software. There are numerous platforms available, mostly proclaiming to be advanced and having massive features.
However, use the software that is comfortable for you. It can be the digital interface or even the usage of the available features; select the software that suits your editing style. You can indeed use the free versions and experiment with your skills with two to three software before selecting the right one.
1. Fast Computers Can Help Make Excellent Videos
The computer you choose can be a desktop or a laptop. Therefore, brand-specific aspects are not of any concern. However, the computer you choose must render the files faster, even if you store huge files on the hard disk.
As such, your concentration must be on editing the video. Therefore, do not worry about the speed with which the chosen application works on your computer. Additionally, investing in faster storage devices helps you speed up the process too.
2. Video Editing Tutorials
A good suggestion is to watch such tutorials that involve the application you use. Getting hands-on experience editing the videos is one side; understanding the professional tricks is on the other. Understand the nuances of editing, and there are many free tutorials available online. Spend time getting coached first.
Remember, practice what you learn. As you learn from the tutorials, use the duplicate files used by the tutor. It would help you compare your work with the tutorial output.
3. Edit the Mistakes In the beginning
It is the thumb rule. The raw video footage will have errors. Especially in the areas where the shot starts and ends. The immediate plan is to get rid of these chunks in the very beginning. It saves a lot of time in adding finesse to the remaining video clip.
The post-processing world shall applaud the edit if there is a seamless continuity in the video. Cut the areas at the start of the shot and the end of the video. Don’t wait for that chunk to get over.
4. Maintain Appropriate Speed
Once you edit the unwanted areas of the video, now is the time you must set the tempo for editing. That means to say create a rhythm to edit that particular video. Create a timing of your cuts by watching the video once or twice. Watch every scene keenly and allow the scene to start and end at a proper pace.
If your edit is too fast, it might confuse your audience. Similarly, allow the dancer to complete a step to see the perfection in the video.
5. Make your Video Well understood using Split Edits
It is a technique you can choose not to cut the video as the music changes in the background. Often, novice editors habitually cut when the music ends and highlight the following clip with a different sound. That is not needed. Allow the scene to flow like a river. When two people are conversing and a change in the music, allow the scene to go through.
It is not only about the video’s dialogue, but also the intensity of the scene matters a lot. Many times, music gives you this advantage. Moreover, the artistic value of the dialogue delivery and the importance of the scene is well emphasized through this technique.
6. Help the video tell the Complete story
The best job of an editor is to enhance the storyline. It simply does not happen by using the after-effects. It is an art in which you understand the video and the scene entirely. Add value to every element of the clip. Add music to intensify a particular situation. Highlight the film to make it aesthetically pleasing.
At the same time, it must be dramatically conveying the information to the audience. It suggests using practicality in concluding and not artificial effects to impress the audience.
7. Maintain 3:2:1 Rule
As a beginner, you must improvise the work which you complete already. Edit the video three times and save it in different locations on your computer. Compare the work and edit the master video file comprehensively. What you missed in one edit can be present in the other. It will help you in aiming at the perfection of the video.
8. Organize your Work for Increased Efficiency
The editing job is not only about knowledge and creativity but also about speed. You cannot take one year to edit a video, would you? As a beginner, organize your workflow. Store the files appropriately. Significantly, the audio files, Images, and so on add subsections as required. This type of organization can help you work with more efficiency. Remember, focus your energy on editing the video and not spending time finding the files.
9. Take a Good Amount of breaks
As it is always said, too much work without a break can create havoc. Your creativity requires some breather. Offer it, and your body needs that too. As you take a break, your mind can pop up with creative ideas you never experienced while working. Most of the time, you can get to understand a third person’s perspective as you take a break.
The Bottom Line
The audience’s perspective is the key behind video editing. If you plan to be a master in video editing, rule 1 is to think from 3 different perspectives and keep yours in the parking lot. Select the best perspective and approach the editing task.
