outsourcing video editing is an important skill to have and many amateurs are producing their own videos based and creating social media content by using simple and inexpensive tools everyone could master.
As you get more experienced and have more time to practice, users usually pick up tips along the way and make their creative process faster and more streamlined. Here’s a list of such tips that everyone could take advantage of regardless of how long they’ve been editing and with what purpose.
Tech Matters
In some art forms, it doesn’t matter what kind of tech you’re using and it’s enough to simply get out there and create. This isn’t the case when it comes to video editing. The computer you’re using needs to fit the purpose and needs to withstand the requirements of the editing software.
Sometimes, this means that those who are new to editing need to invest a bit in their equipment in order to get started. It pays off in terms of how much it streamlines the work process and how better results you get.
Using the Right Tool for the Job
There’s a variety of editing software out there and it’s important to choose the one that will suit your needs and your workflow. However, this doesn’t always mean you need to buy the most expensive software out there or that you need to have a solution that’s all-encompassing and comprehensive. In many cases, you’ll need a specific tool for a specific project.
For instance, you can remove watermark from video free of charge, using a simple software tool that’s made for that goal in particular. Watermarks are often left by the software used to film and produce the video and this is a way to clean it up a bit.
Keep Copies of the Files You’re Using
When it comes to storing copies the best way to go is to stick to the 321 rule. That means you’ll need to keep 3 copies of everything you produce and keep two of them in different locations in case something goes wrong.
One of the copies should be kept on a physical device rather than in a cloud. This may seem like a lot of work at first but it won’t be once you set up a system and get in the habit of saving everything.
Use Online Resources
There are countless online tutorials out there to help you learn to edit on your own and by following along with the video course. It helps and makes a difference if you’ve gone through these courses and it will show in your work after a while.
Always leave time and space in your schedule for self-improvement and mastering your skills. Those aren’t wasted hours and they end up helping with the projects you’re working on even if it’s not visible that they do, at first. Many such courses are free.
Telling a Story
The main purpose of an edit is to tell a story and that’s what you should be doing with your edits. That’s what you need to have in mind during the creative process – how this edit is helping me express a story the video is about. Having this mindset will change the way you work.
It will also make you understand the editing process is just a part of the overall creative endeavor of making videos. When you work with others, it’s also very collaborative and you’ll need to be in understanding with others involved in the creative venture.
Having a Workflow
Software and the tech involved in editing a video are important, but in the end, it’s you who’s doing the editing and who needs to manage to do so. That’s why having a clear workflow is essential for being a good and efficient editor. A tidy and organized work process also helps with creativity.
Everyone has their own way of organizing a daily workflow and there’s no one solution that fits all, but it’s important to find one that fits you. Once that workflow is set you’ll notice how it fuels your work and makes it better in the long run.
Using Your Keyboard
This may sound like a small matter, but using keyboard shortcuts is one of the best things you could do to make your editing faster and better organized. However, it takes a bit of time to learn the shortcuts and implement them in your work. Using a shortcut may save a few seconds when doing a particular task, and in the long run, those seconds tend to add up and free up more of your time.
Different tools use different sets of shortcuts and changing the video editing software you’re using may require you to relearn the shortcuts once again.
Know the Terms
Those who are self-taught often don’t know the terms that are commonly used in the editing world. This puts them in an awkward spot of knowing how to get the job done, but not knowing how to express what they are working on or collaborate with others that do.
The most common terms to master are jump cuts, j cuts, l cuts, a montage, cutting to action, and cutaways. With these terms, you can cover the basic grammar of video editing and work from there. There are others of course but these are the basics, you’ll need to know.
Thinking about New Media
Things are changing in the media world and there’s always new technology making the industry adapt. These days the changes are about VR and 360 degrees’ videos since they are making their way to do the world of online videos and editors are on the lookout.
It’s important to stay on top of such trends and to make sure you know how to create relevant content that speaks to audiences that have a modern sensibility. It’s one of the many challenging and rewarding parts of being a video editor. No one can say if these trends will be the future of video as a medium, but they are here now.
