Understanding the Basics of Video Editing for Filmmaking
Hey there, film enthusiasts! This is your buddy, Jack talking. I’m no Steven Spielberg but I’ve been dabbling in video editing for quite some time now- experimenting with effects, frames, sound and what not! I remember starting off with this super old version of Adobe Premiere Pro in college, messing up terribly, but learning along the way! Fast forward years later, here I am sharing some nuggets of wisdom hoping to demystify the basics of video editing for filmmaking. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back and let’s dive in.
What is Video Editing?
According to the Oxford Dictionary, video editing is “the manipulation of video images.” Sounds simple, right? But stepping into the world of video editing can feel like you’ve been transported to a different planet. This planet has its own language and norms, but don’t fret. I’ll be your guide here.
How I Got Started: An Anecdote
I vividly remember the project that kick-started my journey in video editing. It was a travel vlog for a class project in my sophomore year, where I made a rookie mistake of shooting everything in slow motion, thinking it was cool. Every single clip was in ultra-slow-mo – even our lunch breaks! When I began editing, it was a nightmare. What was supposed to look epic in slow-mo turned out to be just painfully long clips of us eating sandwiches. Lesson learned, folks: “Just because you can shoot in slow motion doesn’t mean you should.”
Journey Through The Basics
- Aspect Ratio: Back in the days, I wasn’t keen on aspect ratios. This slight negligence often made my videos look squished or stretched. “Aspect ratio” refers to the width to height ratio of your video.
- FPS (Frames Per Second): Here’s a secret – to make your videos look smooth, your video’s frame rate matters. Frame rate refers to the number of individual frames that are displayed each second in a video.
- Trimming and Cutting Clips: These are the bread and butter of video editing. Trimming refers to cutting off the start or end of a clip, while cutting allows you to remove a section in the middle of a clip.
- Sound editing: One of the most overlooked yet impactful elements in a film is the sound. Trust me, poor sound quality can make or break your film!
In summary, video editing is all about transforming raw footage into a meaningful, comprehensive narrative. It’s an art, a skill, and at times challenging, but it’s extremely rewarding and can elevate your filmmaking game to the next level. The world of video editing is vast and continues to evolve, so keep exploring, keep learning, and remember that every great editor started with just the basics!
Rolling the Credits
Video editing serves as the backbone of filmmaking, and mastering it can open up doors to vibrant creativity and storytelling. The journey might be full of twists and turns (like my slow-mo sandwich video story), but isn’t that what great stories are all about?
Remember to stay patient and enjoy the process. Happy editing, folks! Catch you in my next post.