The actual act of filming is often considered by those just starting out as the most important thing to worry about in a video production. But the seasoned pro knows that the video is truly created in the editing. Editing makes all the difference. It’s where the editor controls the timing, flow and the overall look of a finished production.
Good editing can make or break a project.
What is Video Editing?
So, what is video editing and what does the process consist of? Well, the video editor controls much of the way the audience views the video.
Common tasks include:
- Choosing the best shots
- Deciding on the right order for the shots
- Controlling the tempo and timing
- Choosing the music and sound effects
- Controlling the color grading
Pacing and the Viewer’s Experience
The speed that the video moves through impacts on the way the viewer feels. In short, fast pace = excitement. Fast cuts are used a lot in commercial video and sports coverage to create a feeling of urgency and excitement, while a slower pace can allow the audience time to take in emotion, information or details. The key to an editor is finding the right balance and flow.
The Importance of Cutting Away
All cuts should be justified in some way or another. It is all about the flow and keeping the audience involved and interested. Good video editing can make all the difference between a confused viewer and an engaged one. The good editor won’t hesitate to cut out material which doesn’t add anything to the final production.
Sound is Half of a Video Production
There’s a saying about film and that is that sound is half the production, and this is certainly true in video editing. Beginners to the process are often too focused on the picture. But music, ambience, voice and effects can make or break a video edit. Poor sound is usually noticed far quicker than an inferior image. An effective sound track can add so much to a piece and really change a production’s emotional impact.
Color Correction and Color Grading
Once the video footage has been edited, the creator will adjust the color to match between shots and to create a consistent, professional appearance.
Color Correction
This involves correcting or enhancing a shot so that the exposure and white balance look natural and consistent between the shots.
Color Grading
This adds an artistic look and style of a production. This controls the visual look and feel of a video. Both these techniques are used to create the look seen on high-end videos, commercial video and professional films and productions.
Editing Software Is Only a Tool
New producers often spend a lot of time researching the best video editing software, but if they have a firm grasp on the pacing and feel that the video is trying to convey, then it’s easy to pick one that has all the tools necessary to tell a story effectively. It’s about the storytelling and the creative choices you make.
Developing an Editor’s Eye
An effective editor must have the ability to judge his work. They need to be able to ask questions of themselves:
- Does this scene support the story I want to tell?
- Is the timing and pacing correct?
- Can this scene be improved, should it be removed or does it need to be moved?
- Does it create the feeling or emotion that it was designed to create?
The Final Stages of Editing and Storytelling
The camera captures all the possibilities, it is the editor that decides which options become the reality. It’s the final stage of a video production where all the pieces come together. It is where the story finds its tempo and rhythm and where the creator takes ownership. Editing is a critical skill for any video creator to learn and master.