Check Out This Ultimate Beginners Guide To Video Editing

Video editing is one of the most underrated skills in the world of video content creation.

13:14 18 May 2020

Editing is the final step that defines what the product will look like and feel like. The process of editing is simple and straightforward once you know the tools and the tricks. Video editing helps to either knit together a video or enhance an existing video. Both of which are essential processes.

Video editing today has become very easy with the availability of an online video editor free of cost. These are online applications that can help you make videos in no-time. With the rising demand for video content, it has become the need of the hour.

Video content is one of the most consumed forms of media online. With the rise of high-speed internet, the use of video has seen its footing in all formats like entertainment, news, marketing, and education. Video content is the way forward, and if you are yet to bite into the idea, now is your chance.

Based on your needs, we can classify video editors into two categories. Each of which comes with their pros and cons. Once you spend some time editing videos, you will be able to understand better, which is more feasible for your line of work.

Dedicated Software

These are high-end editing tools used by studios and professional video creators alike. These come at a yearly subscription or a one-time purchasing price. They can do all the tasks you will need to edit videos without any restrictions or limitations. However, these take time to learn and master. Only if you are looking at generating professional video projects, you will need such software.

Online Editors

If your needs are simple animations and short videos for social media, then you stick to this option. In case a video editor no watermark is required, most of these come with pre-existing templates and easy to use drag-and-drop features. When the need for video gets much higher, these online editors are a very convenient option. They will save you loads of time, money, and human resources.

Now that you know what kinds of editors are available at your disposal, you should jump right in and make some videos. Spend some time each day on the platform to make test samples and learn the tools. Within a few days, editing will seem as easy as any other daily chore.

Here are some simple guidelines that will help you produce better videos. Over time these pointers will become standard practice. As a beginner, let these hacks be a starting line to help you learn the process.

1. Cut To A Beat

Every video has a soundtrack, and these can help you make your video better in more than one way. Use the beats of the soundtrack as a guiding point to cut the video. If you are changing between two visuals on the screen, do it on a beat—this way, the video will transition from one clip to another in a uniform manner. Ideally, use your soundtrack to find a rhythm in your video.

2. Embrace Storytelling

The simple rules of storytelling can help you make better videos. No matter what the footage, the template of a good story can help you drive the point home. All videos you make can have a start, a middle, and a thrilling ending. The middle section is where you bring the video to a crescendo. The beginning should be informative, and the conclusion must provide closure.

3. Don’t Over-Do It

When you use online tools, it’s easy to get carried away by the endless text, music, and effect options. Remember to keep your videos minimal. Only add texts and effects where they add value to the video. Do not dilute the main video in a sea of effects and colors. It will help you to understand this better by running your video by a few close friends the first few times.

4. Do Not Abuse Transitions

Just like effects and fonts, endless transitions can also be tempting to use. Keep in mind that a transition is a tool you can use to enhance your videos. If you overdo these and add them at every possible section on the timeline, it could make your video look amateur and slapstick. These are just like the transition on a power-point-presentation, so use them fashionably.

5. Match Colors

A common mistake many video rookie editors make is ignoring the colors of the video. When you combine many small clips to make one large movie, the colors tend to mismatch. This could be because they were shot at different times of the day, or in different settings. When the colors are not matched with each other, they seem independent of the leading film and look jarring on the eyes.

6. Music Helps

Music, as we mentioned before, is one of the most vital tools for effective video editing. They give a voice to your movies and adds effects and punches. They are almost the foundation on which the whole video rests. By using music, you can define the tone of the video, provide context, or show emotion. A video without music is nothing but incomplete. If you are using an online editor, they would have some well-made presets to use.

In Conclusion

When you are making a video, you already know what the purpose of this video is. Depending on what platform you are going to post on, this makes sure your export is taken to the right specifications. If this is for an online platform, read the video guidelines of the platform before you render them. If they are the wrong resolution, they could end up getting cropped or stretched when published.

Lastly, Never settle for the first draft. Once your videos are ready, show them to close friends or co-workers. Get specific points, and these will help you understand what domains you need to improve. Keep in mind that video editing is a slow learning curve. It takes time and effort to master. In a few months, you will be doing simple tasks with your eyes closed.