- As the old adage goes, "measure twice, cut once..."
If you want to make better video content, you need to practice consistent video editing. The problem is video editing can be intimidating to learn – and it takes a lot of experience to master the art.
So, how can you simplify video editing and make it more approachable?
Choose the Right Tools
One of the most important steps for you to take is choosing the right tools. Some video editing tools, and tools that serve other functions with video editing features, are designed to be as intuitive as possible, providing you with all the functions you need in a way that makes them accessible from the outset. If you choose a tool that’s opaque, or one that’s designed only for the most experienced video editors, it’s probably not going to be a good fit.
You may also want to consider a tool that’s going to make other aspects of your project easier. For example, if you’re going to be primarily focused on video content generated by actions you take on a computer, you can use a robust screen recorder. Screen recording tools can capture video conferences, explorations of software, video game footage, and basically anything else you can do on a computer, and some of the best screen recording tools on the market have built-in video editing features designed to make your life as an editor easier.
With better tools in place, the prospect of video editing is instantly simpler.
Capture the Best Quality Video You Can
Your job as an editor will be much easier if you can capture high-quality video and audio. The more usable footage you have, the more choices you’ll need to make, which can present its own challenges. However, you’ll never run out of usable footage and you’ll likely have a clearer path to a finished product.
Start With a Plan (and a Story)
Before you begin the editing process, flesh out a plan. What is the aim of this project? What kinds of choices are going to lend themselves to a better finished product? What do you want the tone and focus to be? What is your audience going to respond to?
Keep in mind that video is primarily a storytelling medium, regardless of its application. You’re going to be much more successful when editing your video if you always have that narrative in the back of your mind. What ideas and themes are you trying to convey? How are you going to convey them with a beginning, middle, and end?
Depending on your application, it might be a good idea to use storyboarding or other abstract tools to get an idea of how you want the finished video to look before you dive in.
Get Rid of Unusable Footage First
Next, get rid of all your unusable footage. There are probably many segments of video and audio that you’ll simply need to throw out. Maybe your actors had a bad take. Maybe there was a technical issue that corrupted the recording. Maybe you’re just not satisfied with your spoken delivery. In any case, you can weed out this low-hanging fruit and narrow your pool of usable footage to make your forthcoming video editing decisions much easier.
Edit the Audio and Video Separately
For most people and most projects, it’s best to edit the audio and video separately. This way, you’ll have more concrete control over each realm before you bring them together.
Prioritize Pacing
One of your most important goals as a video editor is to master the art of pacing. Good videos aren’t too fast, nor are they too slow. They can keep a viewer’s attention and tell a concise story without rushing through things or seeming disjointed.
Mix Up Shots and Angles (When Appropriate)
Hopefully, you have footage featuring a variety of different shots and angles. Mixing these up can help hold a viewer’s attention and make your video more unique and dynamic. Make some creative choices here if you want to stand out from the crowd.
Add the Extras
Once you have a solid foundation in place, you can start adding some of the extras:
- Captions. Thanks to auto generation, captions are easier to add than ever before.
- Music. The tone of your music can make or break your video, so be careful with your selections.
- Sound effects. Tasteful sound effects can make your video more impactful.
- Transitions. And of course, smooth transitions can help your video footage become more cohesive.
Remember That Mistakes Are Part of the Process
Video editing is hard. And if you’re new to the field, it can be very intimidating. Just remember that mistakes are part of the process. As long as you’re critically reviewing your own work and striving for genuine improvement, you can learn from whatever mistakes you make and emerge as a better video editor on the other side.