These days I engage in quite a bit of interaction with readers of this website and on a few of the forums I participate in.
As a result of that I end up covering… and re-covering, a wide range of general tips for video editing so here’s a few that come up frequently.
I have found that it really doesn’t matter whether you’re cutting a short video, a YouTube vlog or a social media clip, pretty much the same things still apply.
I should also mention that whatever video editing software you are using is pretty much irrelevant because let’s face it, most of them offer almost identical features and capabilities these days.
Transition Time Settings
One of the first things I want to cover is the duration of your transitions for both video and audio.
Most pre-packaged transitions when applied, default to certain parameters when you first apply them so for example something like a cross-fade will be for something like around five frames.
These settings actually come from the user data that programs harvest from users who choose to share it with the software maker each time they open and use the program.
If you have ever wondered how they come up with stuff like that, now you know!
Anyway, that five frame preset gives you a couple of frames before and after the main transition action, providing a smooth and visually pleasing effect… in most cases.
To really refine your editing you should watch that effect as it is applied and then use a couple more different settings to see the result.
Remember, transitions are meant to assist the flow of your video, not distract from it.
As you are observing the result of those changes all you have to do is ask yourself whether or not a different setting improves or detracts from the flow you are going for.
This is a technique you should apply to all preset effects regardless of type.
How to Perfect Cut Shots
Smooth cuts are the backbone of great editing. You don’t want your scenes to jar the viewer out of their immersion in what you are presenting to them.
Here are some quick techniques:
Zoom In for Precision
When you have a pause or an unwanted piece in your video, zooming in can give you better control.
It can be used to emphasize an important point or it can be used to distract the viewer from a necessary jump cut.
Cut Long Pauses
Identify lengthy pauses that slow down the pace unnecessarily.
Use precise cut tools to eliminate these and in fact many video editing programs these days come with A.I. driven tools to identify and eliminate such pauses.
Smooth Zooms
Slightly zoom in or out between cuts (around10% increase) to make transitions feel natural.
The trick is to focus around the eyes to maintain viewer connection adjusting the zoom position so that the main focus remains centered.
Eye Alignment for Consistency
When transitioning between shots, aligning on visual anchors like the eyes can make a world of difference. It’s subtle, but it helps maintain the realism and continuity of the scene.
Eye Focus
During a transition, ensure both cuts align the eyes vertically and horizontally. This maintains consistency and keeps the audience’s attention centered where it counts.
Dissolves
A cross dissolve can be an excellent tool for blending two shots smoothly.
Remember that a straight cut communicates to the viewer that we are in the same place at the same time.
A dissolve implies that time has passed so the contents of the “before and after” shots will convey location.
To clarify, if you dissolve from a shot of someone walking along a path to the same person still walking along the same path then the viewer understands we are in the same situation but time has passed.
If you dissolve from a shot of a person standing outside a house then dissolve to a shot of another pserson in an office the viewer knows time has passed and we are now somewhere else.
Overlay Awareness
When aligning two clips, focus on the eyes again. You can use the dissolve’s midpoint to tweak positions for a seamless transition.
Use dissolves for cuts that aren’t hard transitions to allow scenes to blend naturally but bear in mind a dissolve has the effect of time passing or location changing.
Manipulating Effect Controls
Understanding how each effect’s controls work to give you more flexibility:
X and Y Positioning: Learn to manually adjust these to center your points of interest (like eyes). It allows you to shift your clip slightly for perfect alignment.
Editing With Transitions
Final touches can involve:
Crafting transitions that connect your shots but also give them breathing room.
Use markers and guides (if available in your software) to line up your transitions perfectly.
General Tips
Consistency is Key: Ensure your edits serve the narrative with each cut having some kind of purpose.
Experiment with Effects: While subtlety is your friend, occasionally venturing into creative effects can make your edit stand out.
Feedback Loop: Constantly review your edits. Watching with fresh eyes can spot irregular transitions or necessary adjustments.
Remember, these tips don’t just apply to one specific software, they’re universal principles to elevate your video editing game.
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