Video
Editing Basics
Storytelling
Video editing is a creative process, and you can
use storytelling to make your video more engaging and interesting. A well-made
story will capture viewers' attention and transport them to a different world.
However, creating an effective story is harder than you might think. The
elements for a good story can be visual or written, but the most important part
is knowing how to put them together.
One of the most important steps in video
storytelling is to understand your audience. The target audience should be able
to relate to the characters in your video. Avoid creating characters who are
too polarizing. This can turn off some of your audience and prevent them from
fully understanding your message. Additionally, while creating video content,
try to consider design factors, including lighting, wardrobe, and color
palette. These factors will help you create a video that supports your goals.
Transitions
Video editors use transitions to connect scenes,
set the stage for the next scene, or separate parts of a video. There are many
different types of transitions available, and choosing the right ones is often
a challenge. Avoid using too many, because this can make your video look choppy
and unprofessional. Instead, use two or three transitions to create a more
cohesive look and feel.
The most common type of video transition is a
dissolve. This transition blends two clips together to represent the passage of
time or change of location and subject matter. Dissolves typically last a
second, and they're a great choice for videos that involve multiple scenes. You
can also choose a reverse dissolve to emphasize a dramatic shift or emotional
moment.
Audio levels
When you're working with audio in your video
editing project, it's important to pay attention to audio levels. Performing an
audio level check at every recording session will save you a lot of time during
postproduction. Audio levels are based on a range of values known as
“headroom,” which is the safe zone between the nominal level and
digital full scale (0dBFS). Headroom will allow for transient peaks and ensure
your audio doesn't clip. The nominal level recommended by the EBU is -18dBFS.
There are several different methods for adjusting
audio levels in video editing. The best way to achieve the desired result
depends on the type of video. For example, a film producer will want a higher
range of audio levels than a web commercial maker. However, no matter what type
of video you're making, you'll soon figure out what works for you.
Bit depth
Bit depth is a key factor in video quality. The
higher the bit depth, the higher the quality of your video will be. To
understand bit depth, consider an analogy. A real sunset has a wide range of
colors. A crayon with 16 colors cannot capture all of them. The more bits the
recording contains, the more detailed the image will be.
Bit depth is the amount of color information that
can be stored per pixel. A higher bit depth means more colors can be stored per
pixel, and that higher bit depth means smoother color gradations and less color
banding. However, a higher bit depth will mean larger files and more power for
your computer to process.
Color grading
Color grading is a process used in video editing to
improve the colors of a video without altering the original image. While color
grading is an important part of video editing, it is important not to confuse
it with color correction. Color correction is a process used to fix basic color
and white balance issues on video clips and sets an even base for all clips.
Several free software applications are available to
help you in color grading. Adobe Premiere Pro, for example, is one of the most
popular video editing applications. It comes with many features, including
support for 4K and HDR color grading. However, its user interface can be a
little bit difficult to use. Another good option for color grading is Color
Finale, which has many advanced tools and features.
Compositing
Compositing is a common tool in video editing that
allows you to combine footage with other images. It's a form of visual art and
a way to create unique and dynamic videos. It can range from a simple cutout
piece on a background image to multiple layers of live video. In addition,
compositing can be used to add titles and effects. You've probably seen
examples of this in opening credits of network TV shows and local newscasts.
While many of the effects that are used in compositing are complex, most can be
accomplished in a NLE program.
Video compositing uses computer-generated imagery
(CGI) as an image source. This means that video editors can manipulate footage
in post-production and add special effects such as a lightsaber glow. It's also
a popular method of adding special effects to films.
