Video editing isn’t always easy. There are a lot of layers involved. It’s easily the most challenging part of the whole production process when it comes to making a video. However, it’s also worth it, if done right. Good video editing can make or break a video.
While nothing is more satisfying than watching the video you’ve been working on coming together, it’s not always easy to get to that point. There’s a lot to do to make a video perfect, and all the options video editing services offer get overwhelming.
These 7 video editing tips will help you know where to get started. Keep reading to find out what most beginners overlook when it comes to video editing, and how to fix them.
Check out this list of the Top Video Editors for GoPro.
Key Points
- When it comes to video editing, simple, easy changes are usually the best.
- There are a lot of small parts and clips to keep track of when editing videos, so you have to stay organized.
- With so much storage and technology available, there’s no need to be stingy with shots or length of scenes.
1. Keep Organized
Keeping organized is the number one tip for any video editor. You need to be able to easily access the shots you’re looking for, whether new or old. You don’t want to lose important information or scenes because you don’t know how to keep your videos and clips organized.
A good practice to get into is to organize your shots right after moving them from your computer. Utilizing a video editor tool to streamline your content creation process can significantly enhance your workflow efficiency.
There are many different ways to organize. You can sort your files based on whether they are raw or not, their type, or their order in your edit.
Play around, see what works for you, and stick to it.
2. Take Multiple Shots
Even if you think you have the perfect shot, never take just one. In the modern era, there’s no risk of running out of film, and it’s pretty cheap to get more space if you need it. Later, you can look back through the shots and see which one works best for you, deleting the rest.
It’s much easier to delete shots later. You don’t want to have to hold off on finishing a video because the final clip just wasn’t right.
If you’re indecisive about how a shot should go, consider taking a couple of takes of all the different versions. You may find that one fits a bit better than the one you were originally planning on going with.
3. Give Your Recordings Room to Breathe
Don’t start recording right as the action is happening. Take the time to go ahead and press start. Then, wait a few seconds before you start acting out the scene.
It’s also a good idea to keep filming a few seconds after you finish the scene. By giving yourself a few seconds on either side, you can better cut to fit your video, and you don’t have to worry about missing any important moments.
You don’t need to go crazy, but giving yourself 10 or so seconds on either end of the scene means you’re not as tight-pressed when it comes to cutting. It also gives your camera time to stabilize and focus before the scene starts rolling.
Remember, you can always cut scenes and segments you don’t need. It’s rather easy to do, and only takes up a bit of time. Going back and recording, though, takes a lot more effort and time. It also regularly delays your plans and stops you from making further progress in your editing.
4. Have a Plan Before Starting
You likely already have an idea of the goal you’re trying to achieve when making the video. You likely also know what you want the video to be about as a whole.
But, if you want your video to be concise and entertaining, you need to have a plan for the video. Sketch out rough scenes, or make a list of the main scenes you want in the clip and the order you want them in. This helps you easily cut out parts that aren’t unnecessary, and ensures you don’t get off track.
Try to not only think about the scenes and how long you want to make them but also think about the audio you want, words you want to say, etc. This not only helps you stay on track, but if you forget your plan or lose your vision, you can quickly refer back to your plan.
Having a plan also lets you stay concise. You’ll have an idea of what you want to say, and what exactly you want to say, without losing track or rambling on.
If you have a set amount of time your video needs to be, it also helps you break up all the moments to make sure everything fits well and isn’t rushed.
It may seem like a waste of time to create a plan, especially when you have such a clear vision. But it can set you up for success.
5. Don’t Neglect the Audio
Video editors often don’t give enough love to their audio. While having the perfect video with great video quality is important, so too is having good audio quality. Someone is just as likely to stop watching a video because of poor audio as they are from poor video.
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So pay attention and make sure that your audio is crisp and clear throughout your entire video. You may also want to learn some skills to do with audio, such as how to isolate sounds, and the perfect levels for background music.
Knowing how and when to add sound effects can elevate your videos and take them up another tier in terms of quality.
6. Have a Color Scheme
You might think, that to get a shot that looks natural, you just have to shoot. That’s not quite the case, unfortunately. Having a natural and realistic-looking video works similarly to when women have a more natural look.
It may seem like it’s just a bit of work and a few changes, but it’s a lot more work to go for a more natural appearance.
You may also want to pick a color scheme. This helps all of your shots, even when taken at different items and in different weather, have a similar appearance. Color grading involves both manipulating the color and the contrast.
Other benefits of color grading include helping to influence the mood, and tone, and add a bit of character to your video. It’s important to remember that you don’t need much. Just a few small adjustments can make all the difference.
7. Don’t Get Flashy
Adding a lot of transitions and fancy features is fun, but it often actually detracts from the story you’re trying to recreate. Just because you learn how to use these features doesn’t mean you need them.
In fact, the difference between a beginner video editor and a pro is the knowledge that less is more. While a good transition can sometimes set the scene perfectly, too many make a video seem amateurish.
Video Editing Tips for Beginners FAQS
What’s the 321 Rule for Video Editing?
The 321 rule is pretty simple. It means that all editors, or anyone with important work should aim to keep three copies of anything you create. Of these three copies, at least two should be in different places. One of these places needs to be physically separate from the other.
So, for example, you can have two copies on your computer, preferably in two different folders. However, the third copy should be separate, such as on a flash drive or a cloud server.
What Are the Best Tools for Video Editing?
There are many great tools out there for video editing, some of them paid for and some of them free. Some of the best tools include Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Filmora.
What’s the 10-Second Rule in Editing?
When you’re recording a shot, it’s a good idea to record for at least 10 seconds. Even if you’re getting a static shot, you want to record for a few more seconds than you think you need to.
This prevents you having blurring or shaking from the camera as you step away or press the buttons on a camera.
Conclusion
Video editing isn’t easy, but it can be rather rewarding. These seven tips above make video editing much more manageable. They also help you not do as much work when you often just need a few, minor edits.
There are many other tips out there, especially for beginner video editors. As you start to get the hang of it, it’s a good idea to take these tips into account. While you don’t have to follow all of them, it’s a good idea to try them all out and figure out what works for you.
However, these tips are important to help you get started and make your first experiences with video editing much less overwhelming. By following these seven tips, you’re sure to find yourself handling the whole process a lot easier.