Imagine making a video that’s perfect for all your social media platforms, optimized for SEO, and ready to push on YouTube.
The struggle is real!
So, it’s a good idea to learn how to make content that makes an impression. Some people may even say that video editing is an art, and it surely is.
Luckily, we’ve got you covered. So, here are some awesome video editing tips for making professional videos:
Tip 1: Use the Right Software
Video editing software is used to create movies from video footage. It can be used to add text, music, and special effects to the footage. There are many different video editing software programs available. The three most popular ones are Adobe Premiere Pro, Sony Vegas Pro, iMovie, and Final Cut Pro.
Each one has its strengths and weaknesses:
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is a professional-level program that offers a wide variety of features, including color correction, audio editing, and motion graphics. It can be used to create videos for social media, business presentations, or even full-length movies.
Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro is Apple’s flagship video editing software. It offers a wide range of features and is popular among professional editors for creating movies that need to be published in a specific format, such as for television or the web.
iMovie
Apple’s iMovie is a more user-friendly option that’s great for home users or anyone who’s just starting to learn video editing. It’s easy to learn and has all the basic features you need to get the job done.
Fun Tip: You can speed up iMovie using this guide https://setapp.com/how-to/speed-up-imovie for efficient editing.
When choosing a video editing software program, it is important to decide what type of movie you want to create. If you are not sure which program is best for you, try out several of them before making a decision.
Tip 2: Plan Your Movie Before You Start Editing
If you want to produce high-quality videos, it’s important to plan ahead. This includes planning out what scenes will appear in each part of the movie, so you know where to cut them into the final video. It’s also helpful to think about how you want to edit the video once you’ve finished filming. For example, if you decide to add music at the end of the video, you should consider this before you start editing.
Tip 3: Familiarize Yourself With the Tools
Before you start editing, it’s important to understand the basics of the camera and the tools that are available. For example, the camera has a number of buttons and dials that allow you to control various settings.
You can also use the tools to change the focus, adjust the brightness, and make other adjustments. When you’re starting out, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with these basic controls. Once you know how to work with them, you can start exploring more advanced features of your camera.
Tip 4: Use Transitions and Effects Sparingly
Using transitions and effects sparingly is a great idea because they can sometimes be jarring and cause your video to look unnatural. Instead, try using a more subtle approach. For example, you could use a fade-in or fade-out instead of a transition.
Or, you could use simple motion graphics to illustrate the change instead of using an effect. This will help to make your video look more professional and less like a hastily put-together project.
Tip 5: Add Music to Your Movie
If you want your movie to look and feel professional, you’ll need to add music to it. You can use royalty-free music from the internet, or you can buy music specifically for video editing. Whatever method you choose, make sure that the music fits the tone of your movie and matches the mood you’re trying to create.
Tip 6: Temporal DoF
Temporal DoF is a technique used to control the focus of a scene. By adjusting the DoF settings, you can create a more focused image. This can be useful when you want to isolate certain elements in your movie. For example, you might want to focus on a character’s eyes while excluding everything else from the frame.
There are several ways to adjust temporal DoF. You can use the camera’s autofocus system or manual focus controls. Alternatively, you can use focus markers to help keep track of your focus.
Once you have adjusted the DoF settings, it’s important to test them out before you start editing your movie. This will ensure that everything looks as intended and that there are no unintended effects caused by the changes.
Tip 7: Export Your Movie
There are a few things you should keep in mind when exporting your final video.
Export In The Right Format
Make sure to export your movie in the right format so that it will play on the devices you intend to use it on. For example, if you’re exporting for YouTube, choose “YouTube HD” from the drop-down menu.
Use The Right Resolution
When exporting your movie, be sure to choose the resolution that best matches your needs. Higher resolutions will result in a higher quality finished product, but will also take up more space on your device and require more bandwidth to stream or download.
Choose The Right Bit Rate
If you’re not sure what bit rate to use, here are a few tips:
- Use a higher bit rate for videos that will be shown on high-definition displays or shared online.
- Use a lower bit rate for videos that will be shown on standard-definition displays or shared offline.
- Choose a codec that produces high-quality results at a lower bit rate. For example, H.264 is often able to produce good results at low bit rates.
Get Started With These Video Editing Tips
In this article, we’ve gathered some of the most essential video editing tips for making movies that look great on every device and will impress your viewers. From color correction to sound mixing and scene transitions, we’ve covered everything you need to make your films look fantastic. So, whether you’re just starting out or you want to improve your skills further, these tips are sure to help.
Be sure to check out the rest of our blog for all the latest from video editing to programming, and everything tech-related.
