Get the final product you want with less of the hassle
Do the names Ben Brown, Pew Die Pie and Steve Cook mean anything to you? No? Maybe Tess Christine or Casey Neistat? If not, this blog may be more useful to you than you think, particularly if you have plan to or have recently embarked on your videography adventure. The names we just mentioned belong to some of the most popular vloggers in their respective genres. They have larger than life personalities, offer impressive displays of videography and for all intents and purposes, inspire an abundance of lifestyle envy. It’s no wonder the idea of videography appeals to you.
However, all is not as simple as it seems and after hours of recording footage, you’ll probably discover that it takes an actual lifetime to edit your video content. What’s more the prospect of fine tuning hours of footage into a few minutes of captivating content can be nervewracking. What are you missing? We can’t say for sure but we can offer you a host of helpful hints and tips that are sure to help you cut down the time you spend video editing. Continue reading our blog to discover our top 5 tips.
Tip 1: Know your software
Let’s face it, this isn’t rocket science but is certainly something many of us take for granted. Like riding a bicycle, the proficiency at which we edit video will only improve the more familiar and accustomed we get to using it. As the old adage goes, “Practice makes perfect.”
Spending more time honing your skills will make crafting sequences second nature, allow you to learn helpful shortcuts as well as learn what works for you and what doesn’t. To assist you in learning keyboard shortcuts (your ace in the hole), simply type them out and print them out so they are readily available until you no longer have to reference your cheat sheet. Once you know your software through envisioning each masterpiece will be a walk in the park.
Some popular and effective video editing software includes:
- Premiere Pro
- Final Cut Pro
- Pinnacle Studio Ultimate
- Cyberlink PowerDirector 15 Ultimate
- Wondershare Filmora
Tip 2: Have foresight
This is more planning than anything and will require substantial flexing of your creative muscle. Before you even set out to record your footage have a clear and concise vision of what your final product will be. Use this as a guideline as you film and while you may still have footage that you won’t necessarily need, you won’t have to bear the burden of sifting through as much video as you would if you shot arbitrarily. Quite simply, knowing the overall message and narrative of your content from the onset can be such an invaluable asset.
Tip 3: Organise
We don’t just mean your workspace, although that has its benefits too. Putting together film that lasts even just a mere three minutes requires a multitude of files. Without the proper organisation finding those files can become considerably challenging. What’s more, sometimes the search function on your computer somehow seems to falter and worse yet, sometimes we forget the file names themselves, let alone their location.
The first step of a two-prong solution is to decide on a precise naming convention for your files. This way files will be logically ordered when saved and easier to find. Similarly, use descriptive file names because trying to remember what footage is in file 20170928_131156_1080.mov can be a pop quiz that simply isn’t worth taking. In addition to following a precise naming convention, creating folders that act as storage bins for different types of files relevant to your editing will help you locate each file type when editing your video. For example, as suggested by PremiumBeat, you could create the following folders:
- Footage
- Project Files
- Graphics
- Audio
- Images
Tip 4: Find your music
Above, we just spoke about the importance of being able to find your files effortlessly once they’re saved locally. However, finding and selecting your music is something that can be painstakingly time consuming. Once you’ve established the general outline of your video and can define different emotional tones that take place through it, it is time to find your music – all of it. Rather than find one song and then go out searching for the next one for the next scene; it is better to find all your music at once. We have all experienced the hypnotizing effects of YouTube. If time is of the essence, do the utmost to limit your time searching for music.
Tip 5: Process, process, process
Putting together a work of art is no mean feat, and just like any work of art video editing needs you to work systematically. Rather than aiming to perfect your favorite scenes haphazardly then having to wrack your brain trying to create fluidity in your final product, work systematically from the beginning. Furthermore, make sure to save frequently as you go along. There’s only so much stress and strain our hearts can take, losing hours of video editing is something we could very much do without.
Bonus tip: Don’t do the editing at all
But how are you supposed to…? Allow us to answer before you finish. Sometimes getting a helping hand isn’t the end of the universe and can very much be the difference between mediocrity and brilliance. There are a host of professional video editing companies, such as Studio 52, that can not only complete the work to deadline but ensure a quality finish. Talking to the experts is always worth considering.
Studio 52 is a B2B Digital Communications and Media Production House with clinical expertise in marketing, communications and branding. We cater to the specific needs of a variety of industries offering professional advice and services. For professional marketing and communication services, get in touch with us today. We’re always on hand and keen to assist.