Video Editing Basics

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Editing Basics

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Editing Basics

What Is Editing Editing allows you to take out “bad takes” and add sounds and visuals that will help further the message of your video.

These days most editing is competed using a computer. Though you can edit using just a camera and a VCR.

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Editing Basics

Editing Software Very few artists are able to create a video without editing it on a computer. The most common types of software are: •iMovie •Movie Maker •Final Cut Pro HD •Adobe Premiere All software programs vary to some extent.

Read the instructional manual for specific steps. Through The Eagle’s Eye

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Editing Basics Introducing iMovie iMovie is an introductory non-linear editing program that comes free of charge on all Macintosh computers.

It is easy to use and offers many Features that will make your video look professional.

In recent years, the Sundance Film Festival has been recognizing low budget video productions created using iMovie software.

We suggest that you use the iMovie HELP Guide for specific Instructions.

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Editing Basics Importing Video Footage Import Importing (also referred to as “capturing”) is the process of transferring image data from the mini-dv camera to the computer. Using a firewire or USB 2 cable (high transfer rate) cable, video images may be exchanged from the camera over to the computer.

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Editing Basics Importing Steps Step One Connect your video camera to the Computer using a fire wire cable Step Two Launch iMovie HD Step Three Click on the import button located above the clip pane Step Four Rewind your tape to the beginning Of your tape.

Step Five

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Editing Basics The Paper Edit A paper edit describes how you will order your video and helps in preparing for the technical editing process.

It will save you time and will help you identify footage you may need to shoot prior to the editing process.

The paper edit is different from the production log in that you list each shot, not in the order it appears on the footage tape, but instead in the order in which they will appear in the final video.

The paper edit asks you to comment on: •

Camera quality

•

Sound quality

•

Acting quality

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Editing Basics

Placing Clips To construct your movie from the video you captured, you just drag the clips to the clip viewer. Once you've added the clips to your movie, you can drag to arrange them in any order you want.

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Editing Basics

Fine Tune Footage

You can easily cut out unwanted footage and keep only the best parts for your movie. Use the iMovie controls to select exactly the frames you want to keep or get rid of.

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Editing Basics

Transitions

Want to smooth the jump from one scene to the next? Add transitions to smooth breaks between scenes. iMovie comes with several fun and dynamic transitions that are easy to use

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Editing Basics

Special Visual Effects

You can spice up your movie by changing the visual qualities of a piece of video.

For instance, you can add a motion effect, which makes the video play faster or in slow motion. Or you can use a video effect, such as adding a sepia color for an old-fashioned feel, or adjusting the color contrast of a scene.

The illustration to the right shows some examples of what you can do with the effects that come with iMovie.

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Editing Basics

Adding Sound

Add sound effects, music, and even your own voiceover. Bring in music directly from your iTunes library. You can also adjust the volume of the audio that's already in your video footage.

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Editing Basics

Adding Photos

Have photos you'd love to include in your movie? You can add pictures directly from your iPhoto library. You can add each picture as a still photo, or use the Ken Burns Effect to add motion by panning across the photo or zooming into it.

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Editing Basics

Adding Text

You can also add text, or "titles," anywhere you want in your movie.

The illustration below shows how you can use titles in your movie.

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Editing Basics

Exporting Your Finished Video

When your iMovie is finished, there are several ways to enjoy it and share it with friends: •View it full-screen on your computer in iMovie.

•Use iDVD to publish it on a DVD for viewing with any standard DVD player.

•Copy it back to a tape in your camcorder, then view it on your TV or record it onto VHS. •Log onto .Mac to publish it as a QuickTime movie on the web.

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Editing Basics In Summary: REVIEW your footage carefully while importing.

Complete a PAPER EDIT, making careful notes as to hat you do and do not want to keep.

DO NOT get carried away with special effects, etc.

Make sure that what ever you add in the editing process is helping to tell your story.

Don’t be afraid to REWRITE your story at this stage.

Videos often transform into something completely new during editing. Stay close to the purpose you stated in your treatment but be ready to make changes based on the footage you have recorded.

TAKE YOUR TIME and focus on QUALITY

Settle only for the very BEST

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