Introduction
Hey there, cinema lovers! Today, we’re going to have a chat about video editing and how to achieve that sleek, cinematic look we all love so much. I’ll take you through the basics with as much fun and as little jargon as possible, alright? Let the reel roll!
The Nitty-Gritty of Video Editing
Let’s start with what video editing actually is. In its simplest form, it’s the process of manipulating and rearranging video shots to create a new work. Now, how does it relate to cinematic appeal, you ask?
Creating Cinematic Appeal
Think of your favorite movie. How did it make you feel? Excited? Scared? Happy? That’s cinematic appeal! But achieving that requires careful planning and strategic editing. Let me tell you a personal story.
When I started out in video editing, I tried mimicking a scene from ‘The Godfather’. I copied everything to the T (or so I thought), but it didn’t feel “right”. It was then I realized that it’s not about copying what you see. It’s understanding the techniques behind what you see. Watch movies, study them, pay attention to details (like the quick cut between scenes or the lingering shot — those are clues!), and with practice, you’ll start seeing patterns!
(And if you want to know how to dive deep, a great read about the subject is Walter Murch’s book ‘In the Blink of an Eye’)(1).
Getting Started with Video Editing
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Here are some basic steps everyone can follow to start editing videos:
- Pick your software: From Adobe Premiere Pro to free apps like iMovie, there are plenty of choices! (Remember, the best tool is the one that lets you bring your vision to life!)
- Learn the basics: Every software has common features like timeline, cut, trim, transition etc. Get to know them.
- Start Practicing: Pick a small project – like a fun family video or a clip from your pet’s playtime – and start experimenting with the features you’ve learned.
And remember, keep watching movies and noticing the details. That’s your homework!
Wrap Up
So, this is how you can add a cinematic touch to your videos. Video editing is not just about ‘cut-copy-paste’. It’s about telling a story. As Alfred Hitchcock once said, “Drama is life with the dull bits cut out.”(2), and as video editors, it’s up to us to put together the most exciting parts of life on the screen.
Keep practicing, keep experimenting, and most importantly, enjoy the journey! The cinematic appeal is waiting to be unveiled in each one of your projects. Until next time, happy editing!
References:
- Murch, W. (1995). In the Blink of an Eye. Silman-James
- Hitchcock, A. (1966). Hitchcock, by François Truffaut. Simon and Schuster: New York