VIDEO EDITING TECHNIQUESVideo editing is the process of manipulating and rearranging video shots to create a new work.

Video is used:- to tell a story- to explain situations visually- to clarify complex situations- to keep attention of your audience- to convey a message- to express meaning

What is Video Editing?

Video editing is the process of manipulating and rearranging video shots to create a new work. Editing is usually considered to be one part of the post production process — other post-production tasks include titling, colour correction, sound mixing, etc.Many people use the term editing to describe all their post-production work, especially in non-professional situations. Whether or not you choose to be picky about terminology is up to you. In this tutorial we are reasonably liberal with our terminology and we use the word editing to mean any of the following:Rearranging, adding and/or removing sections of video clips and/or audio clips.Applying colour correction, filters and other enhancements.Creating transitions between clips.

The Goals of EditingThere are many reasons to edit a video and your editing approach will depend on the desired outcome. Before you begin you must clearly define your editing goals, which could include any of the following:

Remove unwanted footageThis is the simplest and most common task in editing. Many videos can be dramatically improved by simply getting rid of the flawed or unwanted bits.

Choose the best footageIt is common to shoot far more footage than you actually need and choose only the best material for the final edit. Often you will shoot several versions (takes) of a shot and choose the best one when editing.

Create a flowMost videos serve a purpose such as telling a story or providing information. Editing is a crucial step in making sure the video flows in a way which achieves this goal.

The Goals of Editing

Add effects, graphics, music, etcThis is often the "wow" part of editing. You can improve most videos (and have a lot of fun) by adding extra elements.

Alter the style, pace or mood of the videoA good editor will be able to create subtle mood prompts in a video. Techniques such as mood music and visual effects can influence how the audience will react.

Give the video a particular "angle"Video can be tailored to support a particular viewpoint, impart a message or serve an agenda.

Video TransitionsThe way in which any two video shots are joined together is called the transition. Transitions are very important — everyone from the camera operator to the editor must have a good understanding of how to make effective transitions (see the links at the bottom of the page).

The most common transition is the cut, in which one shot changes instantly to the next. The next most common transition is the crossfade (AKA mix or dissolve), where one shot gradually fades into the next. Advanced transitions include wipes and digital effects, where shots whiz about or do complex changes whilst leading into the next.

You can also think of a moving shot as being a transition from one shot to a new one, e.g. a pan from one person to another, or a zoom from a mid-shot to a close-up.

Video TransitionsTransitions can be a lot of fun but be warned: Over-using transitions is a common mistake made by amateurs. In most professional productions, almost all transitions are simple cuts or crossfades. Too many animated transitions are distracting and impact on the flow of the video.

Although it is important to choose an appropriate type of transition, the real issue is how well the two shots fit together.

Ask yourself:

What do you intend to achieve with the transition?

Do the shots fit comfortably together?

Does the transition make sense, or is if confusing?

Does it progress the story?

Video TransitionsCreating Transitions

A cut doesn't need any sort of processing — one shot ends and the next begins. Other types of transition can be added in several ways:

In-camera: Some cameras come with built-in transitions and fades.

Generating Device: In live productions, transitions can be added in real-time using special effects generators. Most vision switchers include a selection of transitions.

Post-Production: Transitions can be added during editing, using appropriate software.

Shot TypesThere is a convention in the video, film and television industries which assigns names and guidelines to common types of shots, framing and picture composition.

The list below briefly describes the most common shot types (click the images for more details).

Notes:The exact terminology varies between production environments but the basic principles are the same.

Shots are usually described in relation to a particular subject. In most of the examples below, the subject is the boy.

See below for more information and related tutorials.

The term camera angle means slightly different things to different people but it always refers to the way a shot is composed. Some people use it to include all camera shot types, others use it to specifically mean the angle between the camera and the subject. We will concentrate on the literal interpretation of camera angles, that is, the angle of the camera relative to the subject.

Eye-LevelThis is the most common view, being the real-world angle that we are all used to. It shows subjects as we would expect to see them in real life. It is a fairly neutral shot.

High AngleA high angle shows the subject from above, i.e. the camera is angled down towards the subject. This has the effect of diminishing the subject, making them appear less powerful, less significant or even submissive.

Low AngleThis shows the subject from below, giving them the impression of being more powerful or dominant.

Bird's EyeThe scene is shown from directly above. This is a completely different and somewhat unnatural point of view which can be used for dramatic effect or for showing a different spatial perspective.In drama it can be used to show the positions and motions of different characters and objects, enabling the viewer to see things the characters can't.The bird's-eye view is also very useful in sports, documentaries, etc.

SlantedAlso known as a dutch tilt, this is where the camera is purposely tilted to one side so the horizon is on an angle. This creates an interesting and dramatic effect. Famous examples include Carol Reed's The Third Man, Orson Welles' Citizen Kane and the Batman series.Dutch tilts are also popular in MTV-style video production, where unusual angles and lots of camera movement play a big part.

Can you also copy the camera movement description for these Camera Movement:Pans / Tilts / Dolly shot / Hand held shot / Crane shot / Zoom lens / Aerial shot

The three most common aspect ratios are shown below. There are many variations in addition to these but most video and film production uses one of these formats.

4x3This is the standard television format used throughout the second half of the 20th Century. Sometimes referred to as 12x9.

16x9This format has gained acceptance as the new standard for widescreen TV, DVD and high-definition video.

21x9 (Cinemascope)A very wide screen format used for theatrical release movies.

Development: Film & Video Editing- Editing is a part of post production; it involves putting together different

shots and making one large sequence.

Development: Analogue Editing- Before computers, editing was performed by hand using a splicer to cut and

join physical film negatives together.

Development: Digital Editing- Digital footage is imported into an editing software application where

selected clips are placed into a timeline. These clips can then be edited using tools in the software, which can perform tasks like cutting clips or adding effects, video and audio.

Purposes: Storytelling- Storytelling is the conveying of events in words, and images, often by improvisation or embellishment.

Purposes: Engaging the viewerEvery film needs to be able to tell a story in order to interest the audience. It is essential as the attention of a viewer must be captured during the film's running time. Story-telling goes hand-in-hand with editing - if the editing is poor then telling the story becomes difficult to understand.

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Purposes: Development of drama- used to develop the particular drama in the scene as the way certain footage is edited can determine the intensity of the scene. This is done by creating scenes using certain camera shots and angles at certain points which all help develop the drama of the scene.

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Purposes: Relationship to genre- Different genres of film have different conventions when it comes to editing,

different techniques and styles are used to illustrate the genre.

- In an action film there is a lot of fast editing, this is to show the fast pace of the movie.

- In horror films, fast editing is also used to scare viewers. The audience are anxious as they do not know what is coming next.

- In romantic comedies, the editing uses up beat happy sound and slower visual editing.

Purposes: Creating motivationCreating motivation is vital when producing as this is the main aspect in keeping the target audience interested in your product. To successfully edit an editor must always look for motivation in their cuts. This affects and determines how the audiences feels.

Purposes: Combining shots into sequences

This is the process of putting together all of the shots and making them flow. Once the shots have been individually edited they can then be placed together in a sequence. A successful edit means the sequence will look good, the edit needs to look invisible and so the audience can only see one long sequence.

Purposes: Creating Pace

Creating pace is when editing is used to speed up or slow down a film. The pace of an edit can alter the way the audiences view the film. For example action films are usually fast paced, this is done by editing shots so they are short and then quickly cut to another shot. Drama films normally use slower shots, to allow the audience to see and understand a scene.