It takes practice, patience, and an artistic eye to edit a movie, but anyone can.The range of control over your next video becomes almost infinite once you feel comfortable in an editing program.Part science, part art, and accessible to almost anyone, learning to edit videos is one of the most important things a filmmaker of any skill levels can do.
Step 1: The right editing software can be chosen.
There are a lot of video editing programs out there, ranging from professional programs with tons of features to free programs that come pre-installed on most computers.If you plan on doing more than a few home-movies or simple presentations, you should consider buying a professional program.Most programs have free trials that allow you to try them out.Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro are considered to be industry standard programs.To become a professional video editor, you need to know them.
Step 2: You can learn about the basics of the editing interface.
The basics of most software are the same.Even simple programs have a lot of tools and buttons, but there are three main parts to every video program that you must know: This is where you order, edit, and trim your footage into the final video.This is where you do most of your work.The programs show both audio and video.You watch the draft of your movie at the bottom of the window.It starts out as a black box with buttons on it.In the upper right is where it usually is.This is where you can drag and drop your imported audio, video, and pictures into your timeline for editing.It usually has a search function and some labeling tools.It is on the left side of the window.Audio controls, a toolbox, special effects, and a second video screen are included in the other sections.
Step 3: The essential tools for editing are listed.
There are only a few tools that are mandatory for basic editing in each program.To see what the icon is named in your program, hover over it.The mouse click icon can be used to trim footage, move clips, and add sound effects.This chops the footage in your timeline into two separate clips wherever you click, usually by a straight razor icon.By zooming into the timeline, you can make closer, more accurate cuts to your video.Ex.If you shorten a clip, the clips follow it with a new length.
Step 4: You can learn about other features with the program.
If you want to start a project, you should tinker with your software and learn as many tools as you can.If you want to make a quick practice video, import some old footage and make it yourself.If you feel lost, enroll in a class at a local college or art studio.
Step 5: Pick out your footage.
Whether you are making a simple home-movie or the next blockbuster, well organized footage is crucial to prevent loss, streamline your editing process, and help other team members jump into the project without confusion.Thoroughly labeling and filing your video footage will save you a lot of headaches later on.It was shot on a certain date.Ex.You can organize clips by scene and take them.Ex.If you are working on large scale projects and need complex labeling and meta- data functions, consider advanced organization software like Adobe Bridge.
Step 6: A new project can be created with the help of your editing software.
Standard digital video quality will be at 29.97 frames per second, but depending on your footage several options will appear here.The settings are used in North America.Ask the director or cinematographer what the settings were for the video.If you're still lost, look up your camera's settings on the internet to find out what kind of video you are editing.Modern programs will conform project settings to your footage, eliminating the headaches for less experienced editors.
Step 7: You should import the footage.
Film clips can be brought into the project under File-->Import.This does not make your movie or order your clips, it simply tells the program which videos you will be editing and allows you to access them.You can drag and drop footage from another window into your editing window.Non-Linear-Editing is the process of editing video out of order without changing the original footage.All modern editing is non-Linear.
Step 8: You can arrange the clips by dragging and dropping them.
Pick which shots you like the most and order your clips.After you place the clips, drag them into new spots so you can experiment.Start working on a few minutes of the video at a time.
Step 9: The scenes should be together.
You need to trim the beginning and ends of the scenes to make them line up.Sometimes eliminating the initial action is as easy as this.You will have to make artistic decisions as well.You can break the footage up into smaller parts by using the "razor" or cut tool.Many programs allow you to drag the beginnings and ends of clips.You never know what will come in handy, even if only for the "blooper reel!"
Step 10: Once you're satisfied with the footage, add transitions, effects and titles.
These can only be effective when the footage is completely organized and cut.You should check out the dedicated windows and menus for titles and transitions in most programs.When the image slowly appears or disappears from the screen, it's called afade-ins.Editors often use separate post-production programs like Adobe After Effects for more complicated special effects.
Step 11: The movie's color and sound can be adjusted.
If you want to look professional, you'll need to balance audio and video so that the shots all look the same.Many programs have an " auto color-correct" function built in.If you want a professional looking film, you'll need to do this manually or hire someone who knows how.
Step 12: You should stop and watch your movie.
It will feel tedious if you have to repeat this step five, ten, or even fifty times.Give feedback and invite friends, coworkers, or other crew members to watch the project with you.Take notes when you watch it.Taking a few days away from the project can help with new insights.
Step 13: You can simplify your work by learning shortcut.
The best editors don't spend a lot of time thinking about the edit.You can learn to use the program's keys effectively by printing out a list of them.You can use your effects instantly if you make templates for them.Multi-CAM editing allows you to easily cut between multiple cameras shooting the same scene.
Step 14: Different types of cuts can be used.
A story can be told through cuts or the juxtaposition of one shot before another.There are different types of cuts and transitions that you should experiment with.The best cuts are the ones that feel seamless.Usually in the same scene, it is an immediate cut to another angle.The most common cut in film is this.An abrupt change of scene.An abrupt cut made within the same scene, often of a slightly different angle.Before you see the video, listen to the audio from the next shot.Before you hear the audio, watch the video from the next shot.A cut in the middle of an action, like someone opening a door, hides it.
Step 15: Think about your goals as you work.
Editing video is an art form and your paintbrushes are cuts, colors, and sounds.If you make an edit, ask yourself if it supports the goals of the movie.Discuss with the film's director how quickly the scene needs to progress.A lot of jokes can be fit in.Thrillers and dramas tend to take longer to build tension.Do you want to highlight one character or many?In Goodfellas, for example, every shot concerns or includes the narrator Henry Hill, while movies like often cuts to large group scenes.Is there a style that the director has in mind?Do you know if certain lines of dialogue, images, or colors should be shown every chance you have?
Step 16: Make less cuts and use longer shots to highlight key moments.
When the viewer is asked to watch the same image or camera angle for a long period of time, it slows down the scene and gives us more time to get into the moment.When calling attention to a moment's importance, this is helpful.The editing in 12 Years a Slave gave the viewer a feeling of slow, difficult years for the main character.
Step 17: Shorter shots and frequent cuts give a scene a fast pace.
Comedy and action benefit from rapid-fire editing.As viewers feel like they are "along for the ride", cut between every line of dialogue or action.In scenes from the sci-fi film, moving too quickly through edits can feel frantic, but this may work if the scene is high-pressure or nervous.
Step 18: Study the work of other editors.
Being a good editor is dependent on being able to watch and critique other artists.You can study your favorite scenes, TV shows and movies with an eye towards shot selection, shot length, and Frequency of Cuts.How does the decision an editor made help advance the video?What are some examples of editing that you like?Recent Oscar winners may be a good place to start.If you want to learn how it was done, try emulating it.