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Television, Film & Video Careers
THE BASICS click to read
Film and Video Editing Concepts
Video or film editing is more than just slapping clips together. There's an art to it. Understanding editing concepts is the first step to your own personal creativity and the article above can help get you started. Then its just a matter of getting to know the software. If you're new to video editing these articles & examples can help you get around and understand how an editor works. The information and procedures here applies to almost any software. The mechanics of video editing are actually quite simple, but require planning and understanding basic concepts like Timing & Continuity.
Most video editing software looks similar with similar functions. Whatever software you own, these articles and visual aides will help you become familiar with the Main Editing Screen.
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Main
ScreenTo the far left is the Preview window, and next to that is the Source window. On the far right is the Bin window where all of the files are stored. User Buttons can be anywhere depending on the software. Sometimes in other windows, or their own windows. The Timeline Window is where most actual editing is performed. Notice that the Timelineitself is inside its own window.
Preview/Source WindowThe Safe Titlearea is useful for positioning titles. There is usually a Scroll for moving to different parts of the clip. Sometimes you may have a Shuttle for more precise scrolling. Note the begin & end Time Displays, and the usual Playback Controls. The Mark-In and Mark-Outbuttons are located somewhere in the window.
TimelineThe Zoom Control may be on top or elsewhere. It will often have a scroll, in/out buttons, edit-frame step and others. The Tabs are for choosing loaded projects. Usually there are User Buttons, but special features may have buttons of their own. Note the Timeline Indicator bar and the Time Display. Each Trackhas basic functions, maybe more.
EASY WAY TO CUT
OUT AUDIO FROM A TRACKWhether the Audio Track is attached to a Video Clip or not, you can cut out portions of audio by using what are normally called Points. Using your mouse pointer, click on the line where you want the audio to first cut out (1). This will create a Point on the line. Create another Point where you want the audio to begin fading back up (2) and another where you want the audio to fully play (3). Create one more Point in front of the second one (4). Next select and and lower Points 1 & 4 to the bottom. This will cut out any audio in that section of the clip. Then lower Point 2 to the bottom as well. This will create a fade up to Point 3. The length between Point 2 & 3 is up to you. All Points can be selected and moved around after being created to make final adjustments.
VIDEO EDITING TIPS:
If you're just learning how to edit here are a few simple tips to make your life easier. Just click the mouse over the image, and browse through the tips or play as a slideshow. The text will disappear by moving the mouse away from the image.
A SIMPLE VIDEO EDITING PROJECT
A FOUR-PART series of articles for the beginner. The articles will guide you through a simple edit project with video & audio clips. Besides your music tracks, you will need some media files before you begin. Refer to your software on how to Digitize Video and create Title Pages.
click to read articles
Editing a Simple Project: pt 1
Editing a Simple Project: pt 2
Editing a Simple Project: pt 3
Editing a Simple Project: pt 4
INSERTING A CLIP
INTO THE TIMELINEInserting a clip into a Timeline can be done a couple of ways. Go to your Bin where the file is, click and drag it to wherever you want on the Timeline. You can also select the clip and do it with your software User Button.
For the article project, insert your video clip starting at two seconds. Then insert your black frame right in front of the video clip.
CREATING A DISSOLVE OR CROSS FADEThe easiest way is by clicking and dragging it over the clip next to it. Another way is by placing the Timeline Indicator where you want it, and click a user button or selecting from the pull-down menu. You may have to make adjustments doing it this way, if you want to control the timing.
In this example from the article we are using the 01:15 sec. Black Clip and sliding it over creating a 01:00 sec. Dissolve. This leaves 00:15 (a half) sec. left on front. Select both clips together using your software's Selection Tool (once the user button is pressed you can select a section of video on the timline with the mouse) and move both clips over to the beginning of the Timeline. This will result in a half-second of black playing before your video actually starts.
REVIEWING YOUR WORK SO
FARYour video and audio clips are in place on your Timeline and your Main Screen should look something like the example above. Your Preview Screen will display whatever frame the Timeline Indicator is at. Your Source Screen will show whatever Clip is selected, whether it is audio or video. In this case it is the B Roll-1 Clip.
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