Video Editing: The Filmmaking Process

Now that we’ve covered all of the other steps in the video production process, such as script writing, storyboarding, and preparing to film, it’s time to get to one of the final steps, which is video editing. Video editing involves trimming and cutting video clips, adding special effects, transitions, and audio enhancements, adjusting colors, and more. The ultimate aim of video editing is to create a cohesive and engaging story that communicates the intended message to the viewer.

There are multiple video editing platforms to choose from, but one of the more popular ones is Premiere Pro. Depending on how experienced you are or how much money you want to spend, there are other options, as well. If you’d rather use simple software, iMovie is a perfect choice. It’s a bit more limited than some others but can get the job done. Premiere Pro requires a subscription to Adobe, so if you’re looking for a one-time purchase DaVinci Resolve may be a good choice.

There are different steps to the video editing process that are usually taken. After importing the footage into your chosen editing software:

ORGANIZING THE RAW FOOTAGE

One of the first steps you should take while editing, is to organize your footage. This usually includes video clips, audio files, music, photos, and graphics. The files should be sorted and organized in a way that makes them easy to find and access during the editing process. How you organize the clips will depend on what type of video you are creating. If you’re editing interviews, you may want to separate each interviewee in a separate area on the timeline. If you are creating a music video, you may want to organize the clips into sections of the location.

REVIEWING AND SELECTING THE BEST CLIPS

Next is to review all the footage and select the best clips to include in the final video. This involves watching all the footage carefully and identifying the most compelling and relevant shots that support the overall message or story of the video. Placing these on a separate timeline may help you keep track of everything and stay organized. If possible, it’s best to leave all the footage on one timeline, while you take your chosen clips and place them on another timeline. This allows you to go back to the original clip without having to replace it on the timeline or go looking for it in your imports.

CUTTING AND TRIMMING CLIPS

After selecting the best clips, you can start cutting and trimming them to the desired length. This involves removing any unwanted footage or mistakes and adjusting the timing of the clips to create a cohesive flow. Although this seems like it would be a quick process, It may take a while to get the final cut you want. You may have to go back and forth testing certain clips out. This step usually requires a lot of trial and error. It takes time to get the best takes and cut them together at the perfect moments.

ADD TRANSITIONS AND SPECIAL EFFECTS

Once the clips are trimmed, you can add transitions and special effects to enhance the visual appeal of the video. This can include fades, dissolves, wipes, and other effects. All of these can help to transition between clips and create a more polished look. Or you can add text to make what you’re showing on screen understandable.

ADD MUSIC AND SOUND EFFECTS

Music and sound effects can be added to the video to create a mood or tone and enhance the overall impact of the message. You may also want to adjust the volume levels to ensure that the audio is balanced and clear. Finding music can be difficult, but there are tons of websites to help you find exactly what you’re looking for, such as Pixabay. Music can really make or break a video, so it’s important to choose the proper tracks. Another thing to keep in mind is the legal aspect of using music found online. Make sure you’re allowed to use it if you plan to post your video online or have it play on television. This will assure you don’t get into any legal trouble and your video isn’t taken down.

COLOR GRADING AND CORRECTION

Color grading involves adjusting the color and tone of the footage to create a consistent and cohesive look throughout the video. It’s used if you want to add a more stylized look to your project. Color correction involves fixing any color imbalances or errors that may have occurred during filming. For example, sometimes the footage may be too cool or too warm and needs adjusting.

EXPORTING AND SHARING

Once the video is edited and finalized, it can be exported in the desired format and/or shared on various platforms, such as social media, YouTube, or Vimeo. If you’re creating this video for yourself, then this is the last step. If you are creating it for someone else, send it to your boss/client for feedback and approval. They may ask for some changes, if not you’re completed the final step of post-production!

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