Video Editing
Video editing is the art of manipulating a series of video clips by adding creative as well as strategic alterations to the already shot footage and scenes. These changes, or “edits” make a video aesthetic, easy to understand, and engaging to the audience.
Any kind of motion content, live-action, animation, brand videos, marketing campaign teasers, documentaries, short films, or full-feature films has three distinct stages to undergo. They are:
1. Pre-production
2. Production
3. Post-production
Steps involve in video editing are -
The proper editing process can drastically change and enhance a video’s general quality.
1. Footage Sequence
First and foremost, start with framing the shots per the story. Every content must have a unique storytelling factor that holds the attention of the onlookers. Arranging the shots and scenes in a linear way is the trick here. One must ensure a narrative flow is maintained throughout the shots.
2. Intro Clip
Figure out the opening shot. Your opening shot is what builds up the curiosity among the viewers and establishes the mood. If it is a light-hearted content, the opening shot must not be too complex or gloomy.
If it is a professional brand or corporate video, the opening scene must feature the brand logo. And if it is an informal content, like an engagement or a wedding, start with happy scenes in the opening.
3. Consistency
Maintain a specific rhythm or tempo. You do not want the shots to be too fast, which confuses the viewers without conveying what’s happening onscreen. You also do not want the scenes to lag too much in between, breaking the viewers’ concentration. An editing specialist must know how to strike a perfect balance between the scenes.
4. Color Grading
Color correction and color grading are two of the most important aspects of video retouching or editing. Color grading sets the entire tone and mood of the story and psychologically communicates the same to the audience.
5. Choose right output format
Finally, knowing the right video file formats for exporting the files is crucial, as it directly affects how you want to publish the final produced content online. A few of the commonly used formats are .mov, .webm, .wmv, .flv, etc.
6. Offline video editing
This is an editing method in which the clips and footage are transferred from a recording device to a desktop for making the edits. This offline mode of editing makes it easier for the editor to perform complex and time-consuming editing effects freely without real-time playback.
7. Online video editing
This technique allows the editing to be made with the help of online software, web applications, and similar technologies. Some of these web applications are Veed.io, Canva, ClipChamp, Kapwing, FlexClip, and so on.
8. Cloud-based video editing
This technique allows the editing using cloud technology. Cloud computing is utilized to connect a team of video editors to work on projects from anywhere, anytime.
This minus the geographical limitations, allows file storage on a single platform, gives unlimited access to all the participants, and facilitates the editing process without having to download any file. Adobe’s Creative Cloud Suite supports cloud-enabled editing.
9. Live video editing
Probably one of the most critical and challenging editing techniques is live editing, wherein the editor makes all the edits and iterations in real-time. This is most common in newsrooms where live news and interviews are broadcast. Also, this tactic is utilized for news broadcasts for live sports events or musical concerts.
Here, the editor has all the control and can watch all the news feeds to make the changes then and there. Thus, it should be done by seasoned professionals with lots of hands-on experience and expertise.
The Goals of Video Editing
There are many reasons to edit a video and your editing approach will depend on the desired outcome. Before you begin you must clearly define your editing goals, which could include any of the following:
Remove unwanted footage
This is the simplest and most common task in editing. Many videos can be dramatically improved by simply getting rid of the flawed or unwanted bits.
Choose the best footage
It is common to shoot far more footage than you actually need and choose only the best material for the final edit. Often you will shoot several versions (takes) of a shot and choose the best one when editing.
Create a flow
Most videos serve a purpose such as telling a story or providing information. Editing is a crucial step in making sure the video flows in a way which achieves this goal.
Add effects, graphics, music, etc
This is often the "wow" part of editing. You can improve most videos (and have a lot of fun) by adding extra elements.
Alter the style, pace or mood of the video
A good editor will be able to create subtle mood prompts in a video. Techniques such as mood music and visual effects can influence how the audience will react.
Give the video a particular "angle"
Video can be tailored to support a particular viewpoint, impart a message or serve an agenda.
Importance of Video Editing
Video content is extremely popular and easy to share on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. It’s a great way to deliver content of value and increase brand awareness on those platforms. You can put your message right in front of your target audience without ever having to leave the office. Nearly 85% of consumers said a brand’s video helped them make a decision to purchase a particular product.
In order to create great content, you need to make sure you prioritize the final edit. "Video editing" is mainly the process of cutting different portions of footage in a sequence to tell a story or deliver a message
