Editing video clips can be a fun afternoon activity, or a professional career choice. Today, there is a wide choice of programs and places to share your video clips around the world. However, this doesn't mean that you shouldn't beautify it a bit before sharing.
Notes:
This article is about how to edit a single video clip, not how to edit a longer movie or video. To find out how to edit a movie, click this link.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Editing Video Clips
Step 1. Open the video clip in your preferred video editing program
You can choose any system you want, from free programs like Windows Media Maker and iMovie, to paid programs like Avid or Final Cut. You can also edit lots of simple clips on smartphones and tablets using apps like Vee for Video or Magisto. Your choice will depend on what you want to do with the existing clip:
- If you want to add or splice clips, add simple titles and/or music, apply effects, trim the beginning and end, free programs can be a great choice. You can also use some free online editing programs (eg YouTube editor) for short clips.
- If you want to add special effects or transitions, fine-tune colors or lighting, or edit in more detail, you'll need to use a professional video editing program.
- Mobile apps usually make it easy for you to upload videos to YouTube or Vimeo, and allow you to take videos, edit, and send clips that require only light editing or tuning on the fly.
Step 2. Click " File ", then select " Save As " to create the original video backup file
Always keep an unedited copy of the original video in case something happens during the editing process. Most video editing programs will instantly save a copy each time you make an edit so you can keep the old (original) version of the clip in case something goes wrong.
Step 3. Drag all the clips you want to video onto the timeline (timeline)
All video editing programs have a timeline for sorting the clips into one final video. If you only have one clip that needs editing, you'll still need to add it to your timeline to edit it.
Step 4. Click and drag the ends of the clips to shorten or lengthen the start and end of the video
Basic video editing is usually intuitive. All you need to do is drag, drag, and cut the clips on the timeline so that later the video clip plays according to the changes you make to the timeline. If there are two clips overlapping each other, the top video will always be shown. While each program is slightly different, you can search the internet for short video tutorials to learn the basics of using the program if you're confused.
Step 5. Add music and effects to the clip after editing as desired
After editing the clip, you can press " File " → " Import " button to add music, or click " Effects " or " Filters " to play interesting special effects. Save changes so they can be applied to the final video later. Of course, you will need to make major changes first before editing or beautifying the clip.
Keep in mind that you shouldn't use copyrighted music (e.g. pop music) without permission if you plan to sell videos or use them for profit
Step 6. Add a title using the "Title" or "Text" box
Again, the label on the box will be different, depending on the program you are using. Place the title at the top of the video, effects, and music column on the timeline. With this placement, the title won't be affected by the changes you've made.
Place the title in the upper or lower third of the screen for a professional look
Step 7. Export the final clip to use it however you want
Usually, you just need to click on the “File” → “Export” option to share the video with anyone. While there are a variety of options available, the most common video file extensions are.mov,.mp4, and.avi. These three formats can be played via YouTube, Vimeo, video streaming sites and computers.
Some programs only have a "Save As" button which will display a menu to select the type of video
Method 2 of 2: Editing Professionally
Step 1. Use a professional video editing program with a nonlinear system
Non-linear editing is a “cool” way to explain that you are no longer editing rolls of film manually (by hand). Therefore, the term is now interpreted as a high-quality video editing program that is rich in features and controls. You need to use a program that suits your convenience. There are several program options that you can use, such as:
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DaVinci Resolve:
This program is a new, free, and open-source video editing program. Although it may change, the price offered is comparable to the features that can be tried.
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Adobe Premiere:
As one of the “classic” editing programs, Adobe Premier can be run on Mac and PC computers. If you use other Adobe products, such as Photoshop, you will get used to it more easily.
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Final Cut X Pro:
This version of Final Cut has been considered the industry standard program for a long time, although that standard has weakened with recent updates. This program is very popular among Mac computer users.
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Avid:
As one of the standard programs for professional film editors, Avid has all the functionality of its competitors, as well as an interface designed for working on projects with large teams.
Step 2. Think about the “story” you want to tell through the video
What do you want to say through the video? Does the video you make tell a story or a plot? Does the video describe a funny incident that happened to you a few days ago? Does the video have a great speech? Determine the purpose of the video created. Think of a way you'd like to change the viewer's mood after they've finished watching the video. A good video editor will take this into account and use it to guide editing choices.
- What is the main message, image, or idea in the video? How can you highlight or advance that main message or idea?
- This doesn't necessarily mean that all videos need stories. At the very least, there must be a main idea or image in the video that unites other elements.
Step 3. Cut the video as short as possible without compromising the quality
If an existing recording, moment, or image does not add any element or meaning to the story, delete the recording or image. To make a good video clip, keep in mind that each frame or segment must look like it was “made on purpose”. Remember that what you are making is not a film, but a short scene that needs to attract and keep the audience's attention during the scene.
If you only record using one camera and continuous shooting technique, you can still cover up mistakes or slow moments with proper text placement or music selection
Step 4. Make sure all transitions are smooth and barely visible
Overly flashy and chaotic transitions are hallmarks of poorly done editing. Therefore, get rid of those annoying flash transitions or effects and use simple transitions like fade, dissolve, and hard cut (without transitions) between each clip. If you want to use an interesting effect, use it as an opening and closing video.
Never use funny transitions and toggles, like “Star Wipe”. Such a transition will only distract the viewer from the actual video
Step 5. Use the rule of thirds composition, especially when tilting the camera
The rule of thirds composition is adapted from the concept of photography and is used to form the right frame, both for film and photos. In your image, divide the screen or clip view by two horizontal lines and two vertical lines so that there are nine squares in the image. In the rule of thirds composition, the best image or image is produced when objects are placed on these lines. When tilting or adjusting an image, try placing and fitting text, angles, and special effects with those imaginary lines.
Step 6. Balance the colors, sounds and music to make the video content stand out
A good editor has an important role to "disappear" from the video he edits, as if the video shown was recorded that way, without editing. This role becomes even more important for short video clips. Use a basic color corrector, such as the program's “color balance” effect (if available) to make videos look neater and more attractive. After that, lower the music so that you can still hear the sound recorded by the camera. Make sure the sound from the camera doesn't sound too loud when the sound and music are playing at the same time. Keep in mind that you need to get viewers to focus on the content of the video, not make them comment on music that is too loud or that the video looks too blue.
As with video, sound needs to be gradually raised and removed to sound natural
Step 7. Consider editing every time you want to record a video clip
If you just record one simple clip with one shot, you don't need to do any editing. However, for other clips, know that by editing them, you can become a better cameraman. There are a few things to consider when recording and editing videos:
- Always record the moments before and after the scene (approximately 5 seconds before and after). This way, when editing you have the important footage needed to link one clip to another.
- Take some “cover” footage or the environment around the shooting location that you can cut and paste to cover up mistakes in the clip.
- Don't be "stingy" to get good audio quality. If you can, use a dedicated microphone instead of the camera's microphone, or simply record background noise at the shooting location for a few minutes to edit and "overwrite" any errors in the clip.
Tips
- Editing is fairly easy to learn, but hard to master. Switch from simple clips to longer projects and movies to improve your editing skills.
- There are lots of free tutorials and videos on the internet that can teach you how to use any video editing program you want. Browse the internet and study through available online resources.
- This article is about editing a single video clip, not editing a movie or a longer video. To find out how to edit a movie, read this article.
