In recent years, the quality of the movies and videos we watch on the Internet has improved significantly. High-end video creation tools have made these videos plausible. The editing tool is no longer limited to cutting, trimming, or sequencing the different clips to turn them into videos.
As a newbie to video editing, you need to understand shot lists, proper lighting, storyboarding, and other basics of the pre-production phase. Knowing the technicalities of the filming stage will allow you to do justice to the continuity and cinematography of the filming stage. Understand that to do your editing justice. You need to be aware of the power and limitations of each stage of video editing.
We understand that all of this may seem overwhelming at first glance, and you may feel clueless. Here's a detailed guide to familiarize you with the basics of video editing.
When it comes to video editing, you have to familiarize yourself with the different video terminologies. So you know what to expect from your video.
The number of still images that are taken in each second of the video determines the frame rate. For cinema-quality videos, we recommend a frame rate of 24 fps. If you are looking to create slow-motion videos, 60 fps will be more appropriate, as sometimes, creating slow motion videos is the best option.
The number of pixels in each frame will decide the resolution of the video. 1280 X 720p is the standard for most videos, but video editing tools allow you to create content with a resolution of up to 8K. The higher the resolution of the video, the larger the size of the edited file.
The relationship between breath and frame length is the aspect ratio. 4: 3, 16: 9, and 1: 1 are the most common aspect ratios. Some social media platforms have a restriction on the aspect ratio of the videos.
Edited video files are often too large to share and need to be compressed. Codecs compress video files and then decompress them for playback.
Understand that video appeals to both a person's visual and auditory senses. As a content creator, you can't ignore the sound aspect of your clip.
The number of audio samples your recording device captures per second determines the sample rate. The sample rate for most videos is 48 kHz, and you are free to change it based on your video.
Audio levels tell the editor the noise level of a clip. While 0 decibels is considered the highest, you can use negative numbers for quiet environments.
A single channel recording in which the audio comes from a single source is called mono audio. There are two output channels in stereo to route the audio to the respective speakers.
By now, you already know the specifications of your audio and video sequences, the next stage is to join them with the help of an editing tool. While some people like to edit their videos on the go from an Android or iOS device, others prefer formal editing from a desktop.
There are various editing tools available for different operating systems and you can choose one based on your editing skills. While some of these tools are aimed at beginners and are available for free, other high-end tools come with a subscription. InVideo is an intuitive online editing tool that has both free and premium versions. If you are not sure about choosing a video editing tool, we recommend starting with FlexClip.
Once the filming is finished and the editing tool is decided, the real challenge begins. You will have extensive footage and must follow an editing workflow.
Step 1: In the first video editing stage, try to classify your video clips into containers and folders. Although you are free to choose the categorization, try to list the folders based on the shots they cover. Try to name the folders chronologically in the order they were filmed.
Step 2: Prepare a rough montage in which you prepare a rough sequence of clips and arrange your clips accordingly. If multiple team members are editing the video, make sure your colleagues approve the rough cut before moving on to the next phase.
Step 3: Work on the fine cropping of your video shots, where you time each clip and trim it to perfection.
Step 4: Once you are satisfied with the sequence of clips and the respective duration, you will lock the image. Here, you can color correct clips, add relevant transitions, subtitles, and other finer details to perfect your video. If you want to have a background score for your video, you can incorporate it at this point.
Once you are happy with your video editing, create a master file and export it to your device. You can also choose to render the edited file specifically for different devices. The format and resolution will depend on the intended use of the video, the editing device you use, and the video editing tool you choose.
In modern times, you have to plan the distribution of the video and upload it to relevant social media sites like YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and Instagram.
Remember that these platforms may have different video restrictions (aspect ratio, video length, stereo sound, etc.). You have to go the extra mile to ensure your video meets the platform's expectations. With this article, you already know the basics of video editing, and you can embark on your video-making journey and gain more knowledge along the way.
