The Basics of Video Editing: Video 101
Posted By Guest Post On January 17, 2011 @ 5:44 pm In Video Essentials | No Comments
[1]The following lesson was created by Vimeo for its Vimeo Video School [2]. It’s used here with permission. Look for a new lesson each week.
Editing video clips together can be really fun, especially once you master a few basic features in your editing program. With a bit of patience and experimentation you’ll be producing smoothly edited videos in no time. For an overview of what you can do in a standard editing program watch the video below.
Here’s a recap of the main concepts you need to know to use a video editing program:
- From Camera to Computer, the first order of business is getting the video clips that you shot on your camera over to your computer for editing. Take either a USB cord to connect the camera to the computer, or just remove the memory card from the camera and put it into a card reader that’s connected to your computer. Once the camera or memory card icon shows up on your computer, it’s time to transfer all those video clips, that’s called importing. Next, open the icon that shows up on the desktop when the camera or memory card is connected. Then select the files you want to edit, drag and drop them onto the desktop. Depending on how large each video clip is and how many there are, this may take some time. Snack break!
- Organization, sorting through all your video clips can be confusing so it helps to organize them with folders. Name your main folder something memorable that relates to the overall project. Within your primary folder you might want to further subdivide your clips by date, location, event, or whatever helps you keep your clips organized.
- Back it up, your video footage is special, you made it, So don’t risk losing it. Make backup copies with either DVD’s or copy your footage onto an external hardrive. Should anything disastrous happen to your computer you have peace of mind knowing those memories and moments are safely tucked away on your backups.
- Free and basic editing programs, both Windows and Mac computers come out of the box with free editing programs. For Mac’s it’s called iMovie. On PC’s running Windows you can use Window Live Movie Maker.
- General editing program layout, almost all editing programs follow the same basic structure. First you have an area called a bin, this is where all the videos, audio clips, and even images you want to use in your video are stored for you to reference. Then there’s the timeline, the timeline is where you set the order that you want your clips to go in and where you’ll do all the trimming. Finally you have a preview window where you can view what you have currently selected in the timeline.
Let’s review:
• Bin – where you keep all your files (video clips, audio, images)
• Timeline – where all the clips are cut and blended
• Preview – this is the small screen where you can watch what you have selected in the timeline
- Getting started, your first step in your editing program will be getting your video clips into it. Generally you’ll see a control for importing, from there just select what you want to use in your project and when it’s done, the clips will show up in the bin area.
- SAVE frequently, there’s nothing worse than spending hours editing something and then poof, it’s gone. Get in the habit of saving your progress a couple of times every hour, especially after you’ve made significant edits to the project. When you first start your editing project, you’ll need to name your project and give the project file a location to save it on your computer. Name your project something that’s relevant to you and again, save frequently!
- Trimming, after all of your files are in the bin, you can drag each clip onto the timeline. On the timeline we’ll be able to trim videos down so we use only the most important parts of each clip. All you have to do is select where you want each clip to start and end and then use the trimming tool. Don’t be afraid to try things, the changes you make in your editing program won’t change your raw footage, all we’re doing is editing copies of that footage, so experiment!
- Transitions, use transitions to blend clips together. To apply a transition, just select the one you want use and drag it in-between the two clips where you want it occur. This can have a drastic effect on the feel of your video so try out a few different types and see what helps to tell your story the best.
- Text, adding text is handy for adding titles, captions, or credits to your video. To add text just select the text tool in your editor and drag it over the clip where you would like for it to appear.
- Sound, can completely change the feel of your video. Whether it’s audio from an interview, or song that really suits the mood you want to create. To edit the audio portion of your video, look for a specialized control, something like sound and music. You’ll see general controls for fading audio in and out, adjusting the overall volume, and once your audio is on the timeline, you can control where it will start and stop in your video.
- Exporting, once you’re done trimming and ordering your clips, adjusting the audio, smoothing out the transitons, and adding some text, you’re almost done! Now all you have to do is assemble all those edits into one big video file so you can share it and upload to Vimeo. This is process is called exporting or compressing. You’ll want to follow our recommended compression guidelines [3] to make sure the video will look great online.
Wow, we covered a lot of stuff here! Give yourself sometime to let it all sink in, editing is a powerful skill and it takes time to learn it, but there’s no reason you can’t start out with a simple video project. Jump into it!
Remember to SAVE frequently, you don’t want to lose those precious edits!
Ready for more? Click here to learn the basics of editing with Apple iMovie [4] or view more lessons at the Vimeo Video School [2].
Article printed from Onlinevideo.net – Online Video Strategies, Platforms, News, and Tips: http://www.onlinevideo.net
URL to article: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/01/the-basics-of-video-editing-video-101/
URLs in this post:
[1] Image: http://www.onlinevideo.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Vimeo3_LG.jpg
[2] Vimeo Video School: http://vimeo.com/videoschool
[3] recommended compression guidelines: http://vimeo.com/help/compression
[4] the basics of editing with Apple iMovie: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/01/editing-with-apple-imovie-video-101/
[5] Keep it in Focus: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2013/04/keep-it-in-focus-video-101/
[6] Understanding Jump Cuts: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2013/04/understanding-jump-cuts-video-101/
[7] How to Make a Non-Profit Promo: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2013/03/how-to-make-a-non-profit-promo-video-101/
[8] How to Connect Your Computer and TV: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2013/01/how-to-connect-your-computer-and-tv-video-101/
[9] The Many Uses of a Ring Light: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2012/12/video-101-the-many-uses-of-a-ring-light/
[10] How to Make an Infinity Wall: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2012/12/video-101-how-to-make-an-infinity-wall/
[11] How to Make an Animated Title Sequence: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2012/12/how-to-make-an-animated-title-sequence-video-101/
[12] Essential Video Gear for Traveling: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2012/07/essential-video-gear-for-traveling-video-101/
[13] Learn Final Cut Pro Keyboard Shortcuts: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2012/04/learn-final-cut-pro-keyboard-shortcuts-video-101/
[14] Get Great Results from Smartphone Video Cameras: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2012/03/get-great-results-from-smartphone-video-cameras-video-101/
[15] Light up Your Videos with a Bounce: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/12/light-up-your-videos-with-a-bounce-video-101/
[16] What Is Motion Design and How Can You Use It? Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/12/what-is-motion-design-and-how-can-you-use-it-video-101/
[17] Fast Focus Tips for DSLRs, Video Cameras, Smartphones: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/11/fast-focus-tips-for-dslrs-video-cameras-smartphones-video-101/
[18] Color Your World with Gels and Light Diffusors: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/11/color-your-world-with-gels-and-light-diffusors/
[19] Get Some Perspective with POV: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/11/get-some-perspective-with-pov-video-101/
[20] Learn to Create Scary Special Effects: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/10/learn-to-create-scary-special-effects-video-101/
[21] Learn to Use Zoom, Moving Camera, & Moving Zoom: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/10/learn-to-use-zoom-moving-camera-moving-zoom-video-101/
[22] What Is Crop Factor and Why Does it Matter? Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/10/what-is-crop-factor-and-why-does-it-matter-video-101/
[23] Who's Who on the Crew? Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/10/whos-who-on-the-crew-video-101/
[24] Room Tone -- Why You Should Capture the Sound of Silence: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/09/room-tone-why-you-should-capture-the-sound-of-silence/
[25] How to Create Storyboards: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/09/how-to-create-storyboards-video-101/
[26] The Best Tripod Tricks: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/08/the-best-tripod-tricks-video-101/
[27] Varying Your Shot Composition: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/08/varying-your-shot-composition-video-101/
[28] Learn to Create a Tilt-Shift Effect in Your Videos: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/08/learn-to-create-a-tilt-shift-effect-in-your-videos-video-101/
[29] Setting the Pace While Editing: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/08/setting-the-pace-while-editing-video-101/
[30] Nighttime Video Shooting with a DSLR Camera: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/07/nighttime-video-shooting-with-a-dslr-camera-video-101/
[31] Create a Timelapse Video with a DSLR Camera: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/07/create-a-timelapse-video-with-a-dslr-camera-video-101/
[32] Recording Sound for DSLR Cameras: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/07/recording-sound-for-dslr-cameras-video-101/
[33] Shooting Video with a DSLR Camera: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/07/shooting-video-with-a-dslr-camera-video-101/
[34] Choose the Right DSLR Accessories: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/07/choose-the-right-dslr-accessories-video-101/
[35] Choosing a DSLR Lens: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/06/choosing-a-dslr-lens-video-101/
[36] Learn How to Set Up Your DSLR Camera: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/06/learn-how-to-set-up-your-dslr-camera-video-101/
[37] The ABCs of DSLR Cameras: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/05/the-abcs-of-dslr-cameras/
[38] The 180-Degree Rule Explained: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/05/the-180-degree-rule-explained-video-101/
[39] Learn the Difference Between Frame Rate and Shutter Speed: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/05/learn-the-difference-between-frame-rate-and-shutter-speed/
[40] Getting started with Adobe After Effects: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/05/getting-started-with-adobe-after-effects-video-101/
[41] How to Create a Timelapse Movie: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/04/how-to-create-a-timelapse-movie-video-101/
[42] Preparing Your Gear for a Shoot: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/04/preparing-your-gear-for-a-shoot-video-101/
[43] Understanding Framing and Composition: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/04/understanding-framing-and-composition-video-101/
[44] Mastering Three-Point Lighting: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/04/mastering-three-point-lighting-video-101/
[45] How to Color Correct Your Videos: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/03/how-to-color-correct-your-videos/
[46] How to White Balance Your Camera: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/03/how-to-white-balance-your-camera-video-101/
[47] Learn to Hold Your Camera Like a Pro: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/03/learn-to-hold-your-camera-like-a-pro/
[48] The ABCs of Tripods: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/03/the-abcs-of-tripods-video-101/
[49] The Basics of Image Resolution: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/03/the-basics-of-image-resolution-video-101/
[50] Corel Releases VideoStudio Pro X4: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/02/corel-releases-videostudio-pro-x4/
[51] Stop Shaky Camera Syndrome: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/02/stop-shaky-camera-syndrome-video-101/
[52] Editing with Windows Live Movie Maker: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/02/editing-with-windows-live-movie-maker-video-101/
[53] FootageFirm Offers Free Music for Video Editing: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/02/footagefirm-offers-free-music-for-video-editing/
[54] How to Upload a Video and Embed it on Your Website: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/02/how-to-upload-a-video-and-embed-it-on-your-website/
[55] How to Shoot Your Video: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/01/video-101-how-to-shoot-your-video/
[56] Vimeo Increases Upload Limits: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/01/vimeo-increases-upload-limits/
[57] How to Choose a Camera: Video 101: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2011/01/video-101-how-to-choose-a-camera/
[58] Need Help Creating Video? Check out the Vimeo Video School: http://www.onlinevideo.net/2010/12/need-help-creating-video-check-out-the-vimeo-video-school/
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