Adding a Spooky Shadow Effect with Filmora

Wondershare Filmora’s main purpose is the empowerment of content creators. The latest updates to the program are one of the pieces of evidence.

Whether you’re a horror content creator or simply living the Halloween vibe 24/7, continue reading to know how to use its latest masking feature to create a cool shadow effect for your next mind-blowing social media video.

How to Use The Masking Effect

Wondershare Filmora’s latest Masking feature allows its users to select a specific clip that they can overlay on other parts of the video or other clips.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

The feature allows you to insert the mask in any shape, such as a rectangle, circle, or triangle. You can also import any shapes you like if you can’t find them in the presets library. You can also adjust the mask placement, width, height, and feather effect.

Without further ado, let’s see the detailed step-by-step guide for this effect.

a. Preparation

You will need at least three shots of the same frame to get the shadow effect to work. The first is the main video, the second is the shadow clip, and the last would be a clip portraying just a plain background.

Make sure that your camera stays at the same point and angle. You can use a tripod for assurance.

Take the first main video and don’t forget to mark the positioning of the object for the next take. Then, you can shoot the shadow clip following the marking of the object to match its position in the main clip.

Finally, shoot the final clip without the object on the frame.

b. Steps to add the shadow effect to your videos using Masking

Step 1: Place the main clip on the timeline and find the start of the segment that you want to use. Press M on the keyboard to set a marker.

Step 2: Place the shadow clip on top of the main clip on the timeline. Trim and adjust until the shadow clip ends right at the marker of the main clip.

Step 3: Move the play head to the start of the shadow clip. Trim the main clip right on that mark so both clips have the same start by clicking the scissor icon and deleting the unused part.

Step 4: Double-click the shadow clip. OpenSettings > Mask Section > Rectangle to apply the mask. Adjust the blur strength to smooth out the edge.

Step 5: Play the result to see if there’s any part you need to block out. When you find them, repeat steps 1 to 4 but with the background clip. Try to conceal all things you need to hide using the masks. Make sure that you get the timings right.

Step6 Trim the length of the masking clips to match the main clip by sliding the play head and clicking the Split button.

Adjust the audio and preview the effect before you save the result. You can also add extra features like slow motion for maximum effect.

Summary

It is so easy to use this shadow effect on your video using Wondershare Filmora. The handy masking feature also comes with additional keyframe control and easy composite adjustment.

Wondershare Filmora is also packed with other powerful new features. This includes Auto Beat Sync, Speed Ramping, Quick Split Mode, and the upgraded Denoise feature. Update today to add more quirk to your content.

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

The feature allows you to insert the mask in any shape, such as a rectangle, circle, or triangle. You can also import any shapes you like if you can’t find them in the presets library. You can also adjust the mask placement, width, height, and feather effect.

Without further ado, let’s see the detailed step-by-step guide for this effect.

a. Preparation

You will need at least three shots of the same frame to get the shadow effect to work. The first is the main video, the second is the shadow clip, and the last would be a clip portraying just a plain background.

Make sure that your camera stays at the same point and angle. You can use a tripod for assurance.

Take the first main video and don’t forget to mark the positioning of the object for the next take. Then, you can shoot the shadow clip following the marking of the object to match its position in the main clip.

Finally, shoot the final clip without the object on the frame.

b. Steps to add the shadow effect to your videos using Masking

Step 1: Place the main clip on the timeline and find the start of the segment that you want to use. Press M on the keyboard to set a marker.

Step 2: Place the shadow clip on top of the main clip on the timeline. Trim and adjust until the shadow clip ends right at the marker of the main clip.

Step 3: Move the play head to the start of the shadow clip. Trim the main clip right on that mark so both clips have the same start by clicking the scissor icon and deleting the unused part.

Step 4: Double-click the shadow clip. OpenSettings > Mask Section > Rectangle to apply the mask. Adjust the blur strength to smooth out the edge.

Step 5: Play the result to see if there’s any part you need to block out. When you find them, repeat steps 1 to 4 but with the background clip. Try to conceal all things you need to hide using the masks. Make sure that you get the timings right.

Step6 Trim the length of the masking clips to match the main clip by sliding the play head and clicking the Split button.

Adjust the audio and preview the effect before you save the result. You can also add extra features like slow motion for maximum effect.

Summary

It is so easy to use this shadow effect on your video using Wondershare Filmora. The handy masking feature also comes with additional keyframe control and easy composite adjustment.

Wondershare Filmora is also packed with other powerful new features. This includes Auto Beat Sync, Speed Ramping, Quick Split Mode, and the upgraded Denoise feature. Update today to add more quirk to your content.

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

The feature allows you to insert the mask in any shape, such as a rectangle, circle, or triangle. You can also import any shapes you like if you can’t find them in the presets library. You can also adjust the mask placement, width, height, and feather effect.

Without further ado, let’s see the detailed step-by-step guide for this effect.

a. Preparation

You will need at least three shots of the same frame to get the shadow effect to work. The first is the main video, the second is the shadow clip, and the last would be a clip portraying just a plain background.

Make sure that your camera stays at the same point and angle. You can use a tripod for assurance.

Take the first main video and don’t forget to mark the positioning of the object for the next take. Then, you can shoot the shadow clip following the marking of the object to match its position in the main clip.

Finally, shoot the final clip without the object on the frame.

b. Steps to add the shadow effect to your videos using Masking

Step 1: Place the main clip on the timeline and find the start of the segment that you want to use. Press M on the keyboard to set a marker.

Step 2: Place the shadow clip on top of the main clip on the timeline. Trim and adjust until the shadow clip ends right at the marker of the main clip.

Step 3: Move the play head to the start of the shadow clip. Trim the main clip right on that mark so both clips have the same start by clicking the scissor icon and deleting the unused part.

Step 4: Double-click the shadow clip. OpenSettings > Mask Section > Rectangle to apply the mask. Adjust the blur strength to smooth out the edge.

Step 5: Play the result to see if there’s any part you need to block out. When you find them, repeat steps 1 to 4 but with the background clip. Try to conceal all things you need to hide using the masks. Make sure that you get the timings right.

Step6 Trim the length of the masking clips to match the main clip by sliding the play head and clicking the Split button.

Adjust the audio and preview the effect before you save the result. You can also add extra features like slow motion for maximum effect.

Summary

It is so easy to use this shadow effect on your video using Wondershare Filmora. The handy masking feature also comes with additional keyframe control and easy composite adjustment.

Wondershare Filmora is also packed with other powerful new features. This includes Auto Beat Sync, Speed Ramping, Quick Split Mode, and the upgraded Denoise feature. Update today to add more quirk to your content.

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

The feature allows you to insert the mask in any shape, such as a rectangle, circle, or triangle. You can also import any shapes you like if you can’t find them in the presets library. You can also adjust the mask placement, width, height, and feather effect.

Without further ado, let’s see the detailed step-by-step guide for this effect.

a. Preparation

You will need at least three shots of the same frame to get the shadow effect to work. The first is the main video, the second is the shadow clip, and the last would be a clip portraying just a plain background.

Make sure that your camera stays at the same point and angle. You can use a tripod for assurance.

Take the first main video and don’t forget to mark the positioning of the object for the next take. Then, you can shoot the shadow clip following the marking of the object to match its position in the main clip.

Finally, shoot the final clip without the object on the frame.

b. Steps to add the shadow effect to your videos using Masking

Step 1: Place the main clip on the timeline and find the start of the segment that you want to use. Press M on the keyboard to set a marker.

Step 2: Place the shadow clip on top of the main clip on the timeline. Trim and adjust until the shadow clip ends right at the marker of the main clip.

Step 3: Move the play head to the start of the shadow clip. Trim the main clip right on that mark so both clips have the same start by clicking the scissor icon and deleting the unused part.

Step 4: Double-click the shadow clip. OpenSettings > Mask Section > Rectangle to apply the mask. Adjust the blur strength to smooth out the edge.

Step 5: Play the result to see if there’s any part you need to block out. When you find them, repeat steps 1 to 4 but with the background clip. Try to conceal all things you need to hide using the masks. Make sure that you get the timings right.

Step6 Trim the length of the masking clips to match the main clip by sliding the play head and clicking the Split button.

Adjust the audio and preview the effect before you save the result. You can also add extra features like slow motion for maximum effect.

Summary

It is so easy to use this shadow effect on your video using Wondershare Filmora. The handy masking feature also comes with additional keyframe control and easy composite adjustment.

Wondershare Filmora is also packed with other powerful new features. This includes Auto Beat Sync, Speed Ramping, Quick Split Mode, and the upgraded Denoise feature. Update today to add more quirk to your content.

How To Add Motion Blur In Davinci Resolve?

Do you want to give extra details to your object’s movements in a video? Motion blur effect can instantly add a natural effect to your videos by smoothening the lines and edges. It also adds a sense of action in a video quite dramatically.

Many professionals also say that motion blur creates a passage of time by crafting vibrant streaks of colors. So, if you want to add this dynamic effect, this article will help you. By reading this article, you can learn how to add motion blur in DaVinci Resolve using efficient ways.

Part 1: What is DaVinci Resolve?

DaVinci Resolve is an all-in-one software that includes various capabilities. Using this tool, you can effortlessly add effects, filters, visual graphics, and other elements. You can also use this professional software to color-correct your video by altering saturation, hue, contrast, and brightness. With new upgrades, DaVinci provides remote collaboration using Blackmagic Cloud. This will allow you to collaborate with multiple users efficiently.

You can find different tools on different pages of DaVinci. This flexibility and wide space will help you to execute video editing effortlessly. Furthermore, you can also create customizable keyboard shortcuts to increase your overall work efficiency. Thus, its highly professional software contains a wide range of media management, organization, and editing tools.

Part 2: How to Add Motion Blur to Videos in DaVinci Resolve?

DaVinci Resolve can professionally add a motion blur effect to your videos to smoothen the look. To use the DaVinci motion blur effect, there are two efficient ways. To learn about them in detail, read this part of the section carefully.

1. On the Fusion Page

DaVinci has separate pages, like the Fusion page, for different uses. If you want to learn how to add a motion blur effect on the fusion page, check the following instructions carefully.

What is the Fusion Page in DaVinci?

On the Fusion page, you can use captivating visual effects to add a new perspective to your videos. This page consists of a diverse range of motion graphics and visual effects. You can use retouching and repairing tools from the fusion page to generate a cinematic effect quickly.

So, by merging images, effects, and animations together, you can create a vibrant effect of your own efficiently. To add DaVinci Resolve motion blur on the fusion page, here are the simple steps:

Step1 Navigate to the DaVinci Resolve tool and upload your video. Now open the fusion page and press “Shift” and “Spacebar.” On the search box, type “Motion” and select “Motion Blur” from the results. After selecting it, tap on the “Add” button.

Step2 Now, you will be able to see a nod of Motion Blur on the interface. Drag this node to the center of “Media in” and “Media Out.” By selecting the motion blur node, you can adjust the settings from the right direction.

Step3 You can also remove the Motion Blur node to create more enhancements. After removing it, you have to add a “Background” and connect it to Media in and Media out nodes. Now merge the nodes and navigate to “Settings.” From the settings, you can check the box of motion blur and change its elements like quality, shutter angle, etc.

2. In the Edit Page

The Edit page in DaVinci Resolve provides you with complete freedom to add transitions, titles, and effects to the videos. On this page, you can replace, insert, overwrite and trim the clip effectively. Moreover, you can also add 2D and 3D titles to your videos on the edit page.

If you want to add a motion blur effect on DaVinci Resolve 17, you can instantly increase your work efficiency. The reason is that on DaVinci, you would be able to directly drag the motion blur effect on the editing area. Thus, it can increase your editing speed drastically. To add DaVinci motion blur on the editing page, read the below steps:

Step1 After accessing the DaVinci Resolve, open its edit page and upload the video. Once done, go to “Effects Library” and select “Open FX.” Now from the search bar, type “Motion Blur.” Select motion blur from the results and apply it to the timeline.

Step2 On the right side, select the “Effects” tab, and then you will be able to modify the motion range, motion blur value, and other elements.

Bonus Tips – Add Motion Blur with an Alternative to DaVinci Resolve

Do you want a better tool than DaVinci Resolve motion blur? Filmora is an easy-to-use tool that has a delightful and well-designed interface. Using this tool, you can effortlessly perform flawless editing on your videos without interruption. You can transitions and effects to your video to improve their visual appeal. You can also add audio clips to the video on this platform with great ease.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Apart from advanced functioning, you can also use Filmora to execute basic functions. For instance, you can cut, trim, split, merge, and crop your videos with high precision. Moreover, you can use its stock footage to create a dynamic video from scratch. Hence, it’s a complete professional software that can change the outlook of your video efficiently.

Steps to Add Motion Blur in Wondershare Filmora

Follow the steps described below to add the motion blur to your videos if you are a beginner in the video industry:

Step1 Create a New Filmora Project

After launching Filmora, hit the “Create New Project” button to open a new interface. On the project media, upload your desired media file and then drag it to the timeline.

Step2 Choose the Motion Blur Effect

Now go to the “Effects” tab and select the “Video Effects” category from the left panel. Now you will have to type “Blur” in the search bar to get all the blur effects of Filmora. Select your option and apply the effect to the timeline.

Step3 Add the Dissolve Transition

You can also add a transition known as “Dissolve” by searching for it in the “Transitions” tab to smoothen your video. You can see the final results in the preview window.

Conclusion

Have you ever added a motion blur effect to your videos? If you are unaware of how to create a professional motion blur effect, this article can provide you with complete guidance. In this article, we have used DaVinci Resolve to flawlessly add a motion blur effect. However, if you find the interface of DaVinci Resolve motion blur complicated, you can try its best alternative, Wondershare Filmora.

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Apart from advanced functioning, you can also use Filmora to execute basic functions. For instance, you can cut, trim, split, merge, and crop your videos with high precision. Moreover, you can use its stock footage to create a dynamic video from scratch. Hence, it’s a complete professional software that can change the outlook of your video efficiently.

Steps to Add Motion Blur in Wondershare Filmora

Follow the steps described below to add the motion blur to your videos if you are a beginner in the video industry:

Step1 Create a New Filmora Project

After launching Filmora, hit the “Create New Project” button to open a new interface. On the project media, upload your desired media file and then drag it to the timeline.

Step2 Choose the Motion Blur Effect

Now go to the “Effects” tab and select the “Video Effects” category from the left panel. Now you will have to type “Blur” in the search bar to get all the blur effects of Filmora. Select your option and apply the effect to the timeline.

Step3 Add the Dissolve Transition

You can also add a transition known as “Dissolve” by searching for it in the “Transitions” tab to smoothen your video. You can see the final results in the preview window.

Conclusion

Have you ever added a motion blur effect to your videos? If you are unaware of how to create a professional motion blur effect, this article can provide you with complete guidance. In this article, we have used DaVinci Resolve to flawlessly add a motion blur effect. However, if you find the interface of DaVinci Resolve motion blur complicated, you can try its best alternative, Wondershare Filmora.

Now, You Can Also Apply the Stranger Things Upside Down Effect to Your Video! This Effect Combines Camera Tricks and Video Editing Within Filmora to Transition From the Normal World Into the Upside Down

With stranger things season 4 ending, it seems like great timing to make a stranger things style transition to the Upside Down. In the Netflix series Stranger Things, there is an opposite version of our world called the Upside Down. The Upside Down is dark, creepy, and possibly filled with aliens, monsters, creatures, and other things.

Now, you can also apply the Stranger Things Upside Down Effect to your video! This effect combines camera tricks and video editing within Filmora to transition from the normal world into the Upside Down.

How-to Guide

1) Preparation

To make this effect, you will need two footage shots: one with the camera moving down and one with the camera coming back up.

When shooting for the footage, follow the steps below:

First shot

1. Find any item close enough to the ground that we can block our frame with.

1. Once you have your talent lined up, rotate your camera while lowering it below the foreground item at a constant speed and leaving the camera there. The key is making sure when you go behind the object, the frame is nothing but black.

For the next scene, have your actor change positions, or you can change the set around to look like the Upside Down. For instance, adding fake plants and flickering lights.

Second shot

Start bringing your camera back up at the same speed and rotate it again in the direction it was moving.

2) Steps

After you have all the footage, you can start editing it on Filmora. If you haven’t installed it yet, you can download Filmora at their official website at https://filmora.wondershare.com .

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Now, launch Filmora on your PC and follow the steps below:

Step1 Take your first clip in the “normal” world and drag it down to a video track on the timeline. Trim the edge of the clip, so it ends on pure black and in a downward motion.

Step2 Drag the second clip (in the Upside Down) onto the video track on the timeline after the first clip. Trim this video, so it begins in pure black and an upward motion.

Cut the clips to get the timing right since it should be a very fast transition. You can cut in the black frames so they won’t be too apparent.

If you don’t have a perfectly smooth transition, you can add a dissolve by going to Transitions > Basic > Dissolve.

Color Grading and Effects

After the transition, you can make the clip look a lot more like the Upside Down from the show with a color grade and Filmora effects. Follow the steps below:

Step1 Double-click on your second clip, then go to Color > Advanced. For a quick edit, you can try one of the presets available, such as “cool film.” It will give you the colder blue tones that Stranger Things used for the Upside Down.

Step2 You can further edit the color grading in the white balance menu. Drag the slider to the left to get a blue, cold vibe for the Upside Down.

The “cool” or “warm” color grading technically talks about color temperature. A “warmer” look will be more orange, and a “colder” look will be bluer. You can also use the tint slider to fine-tune the look.

Step3 Next, move down to the color, lower the brightness and increase contrast. It makes the scene darker and more sinister than the normal world.

Step4 Finally, go down to the vignette and drag the amount slider a tiny bit to give a Vinnette around your clip.

3) Pro Tips

You can still make your clip look even more like Upside Down with some Filmora elements.

Go to Elements > Smoke > Smokescreen 2. Drag this element on top of your Upside Down clip and trim it, so it starts at the same time the clip leaves the black frame.

You can adjust the opacity by double-clicking the smoke effect to open the setting.

Finally, go to the Transition > Basic > Dissolve to the start of the smoke and adjust it when the smoke gradually appears.

Resources from Filmostock

You can also use filmstock effects to bring our video to the next level. Go to Elements > Fire > Large Scale 12 and drag it down on top of your clip and the smoke.

Double-click the clip and change the scale of the effect to your needs. Then, go to compositing to change the blending mode to the screen to help the effect blend in more.

Now, go to color and open the white balance menu. Drag the two sliders to change the color of the particles to match your clip.

Summary

That is all you need to make a Stranger Things Upside Down effects to your video. Let us know if there are any other effects from tv shows you want to learn how to make.

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Now, launch Filmora on your PC and follow the steps below:

Step1 Take your first clip in the “normal” world and drag it down to a video track on the timeline. Trim the edge of the clip, so it ends on pure black and in a downward motion.

Step2 Drag the second clip (in the Upside Down) onto the video track on the timeline after the first clip. Trim this video, so it begins in pure black and an upward motion.

Cut the clips to get the timing right since it should be a very fast transition. You can cut in the black frames so they won’t be too apparent.

If you don’t have a perfectly smooth transition, you can add a dissolve by going to Transitions > Basic > Dissolve.

Color Grading and Effects

After the transition, you can make the clip look a lot more like the Upside Down from the show with a color grade and Filmora effects. Follow the steps below:

Step1 Double-click on your second clip, then go to Color > Advanced. For a quick edit, you can try one of the presets available, such as “cool film.” It will give you the colder blue tones that Stranger Things used for the Upside Down.

Step2 You can further edit the color grading in the white balance menu. Drag the slider to the left to get a blue, cold vibe for the Upside Down.

The “cool” or “warm” color grading technically talks about color temperature. A “warmer” look will be more orange, and a “colder” look will be bluer. You can also use the tint slider to fine-tune the look.

Step3 Next, move down to the color, lower the brightness and increase contrast. It makes the scene darker and more sinister than the normal world.

Step4 Finally, go down to the vignette and drag the amount slider a tiny bit to give a Vinnette around your clip.

3) Pro Tips

You can still make your clip look even more like Upside Down with some Filmora elements.

Go to Elements > Smoke > Smokescreen 2. Drag this element on top of your Upside Down clip and trim it, so it starts at the same time the clip leaves the black frame.

You can adjust the opacity by double-clicking the smoke effect to open the setting.

Finally, go to the Transition > Basic > Dissolve to the start of the smoke and adjust it when the smoke gradually appears.

Resources from Filmostock

You can also use filmstock effects to bring our video to the next level. Go to Elements > Fire > Large Scale 12 and drag it down on top of your clip and the smoke.

Double-click the clip and change the scale of the effect to your needs. Then, go to compositing to change the blending mode to the screen to help the effect blend in more.

Now, go to color and open the white balance menu. Drag the two sliders to change the color of the particles to match your clip.

Summary

That is all you need to make a Stranger Things Upside Down effects to your video. Let us know if there are any other effects from tv shows you want to learn how to make.

Video Editing Tips to Know Before Editing First Draft

Whether your video is short or long, you may want to make it better and appealing. Video editing involves the manipulation of your videos through which the desired transformation is achieved and you can flaunt every move of your video in a more preferable way. Video editing involves cutting the video short, changing the speed, organizing the video in a seamless flow. In short, the better the cuts of your videos, the better your message/story is conveyed.

Part 1: Things to Learn Before Editing First Draft

You have shot your video and now you’re stuck on the post-processing of that video. Don’t worry! We got you covered through this article which will guide you through the different things which you must learn before editing the first draft of your video.

Start a video project

Your smartphone and digital camera can let you record multiple videos but what now? You head out to edit your first draft by choosing a suitable platform or software and then you can surely lay back and see the software doing wonders to your raw videos. By starting off with editing, you choose your video editing preferences and then you just let the video editing tools do the magic.

Get to know the video editing software workspace

Video editing software offer customizable workspaces for different editing tasks. The software workspace streamlines routine actions you take with clips, like editing clips, making DVD and Blu-ray menus, and sharing movies. By placing panels in the layout that best matches your working style, you can personalize your workspace. The additional panels adjust automatically to fit the window as you rearrange them. For various jobs, such as one for editing and one for preview, you can build and store multiple workspaces.

Understand the timeline

The timeline of your video is the backbone of your digital video editing process. It’s called a timeline because the various pieces of video will be lined up horizontally. In a video editing software, the timeline is where you arrange your video clips and plan out all the modifications you want to do. As you work, you will see every single one of your video and audio clips, effects, and transitions sorted chronologically from beginning to end. All the fundamentals of video editing, including reordering, trimming, and enhancing your footage, are available. To preview how your adjustments will turn out, you can also play your project at any point in the timeline.

Add clips to timeline

When you have grasped the idea behind a timeline, the next step you need to follow is to add clips into your timeline. Before adding clips to your timeline, it is suggested that you label each clip. Although it does seem like a lot of work, it will be easier to locate all of the clips later on if you’re working on a large project. after the footages are gathered and named, add important clips in the beginning of the timeline to begin establishing the video’s overall structure and order.

Editing tools

Besides basic cutting, trimming and cropping, video editing software offer multiple professional editing tools which enhance the outlook your videos and make them 10x better. For example, instead of cutting up a clip into a bunch of small clips and unwanted gaps, use the Ripple Edit tool keep your timeline clean. This means when a clip is trimmed, it causes a ripple effect throughout the rest of your timeline, shifting all other clips into a new timeline position.

Similarly, when working with lengthy timelines, the Razor tool is also really helpful because you can select the clip you wish to cut by dragging your razor over it. So, the Razor cut is the tool to use if you need to make a lot of cuts in your videos quickly.

Syncing audio and video

You already know how annoying it can be if audio and video don’t sync while you’re listening to a podcast or viewing a YouTube vlog. The video editing software offer helpful manual and auto sync tools. It can be though a bit of hard work for beginners, but the ‘Lights, Camera, Action’ approach works best in syncing your audio with your video. To sync audio, you need to record audio first and then through matching the wavelengths displayed on your timeline, you can sync the audio with your video.

Edit download talking head/interview footage

Now with professional video editing tools, you can make ‘talking head videos’ if you want to share your expertise as a YouTube vlogger or if you want to do employee training. Talking head films are a fantastic way to stimulate the mind and the heart while increasing learner retention in this digital age.

Additionally, with other video editing tools, you can edit your interview footages and for that, you don’t have to mess with timestamps, cutting or splicing videos, or creating transitions between clips, you just edit the transcript of the video and the video edits itself to match.

Video properties: Scale, position, opacity

Any screen recording, camera-based video, imported video clips, and text picture clips can have their visuals altered using video properties. In video editing software, multiple video properties are offered which include scaling, positioning, rotating, changing the opacity, changing level of reflection and shadow. Additionally, Video properties also include editing the video as a whole or just altering a clip from the video.

Types of cuts: Straight, J-Cut, L-Cut etc

The different types of cuts used in the video editing process is an effective way to make the transitions in your video pop. Basically, these cuts join two or more clips together via audio. Professional editors call these cuts as ‘split edits. The most common cuts are called J-Cut and L-Cut. They help to mix the content’s flow and keep the on-screen narrative in motion. In essence, these edits are necessary to make your scenes feel warm and more authentic.

Part 2: Practical Video Editing Tips

Choose right software

The push start of video editing for beginners is based on one common step: know your software or workspace. Selecting the appropriate software for editing your video is the first step in streamlining your video editing process. Although all software often includes the tools that you need to make ordinary video edits, you could favor one over the others based on its usefulness, digital interface, and features. Instead of just using the latest and trending video editing software available, the key is to choose what functions for you and your editing style.

Use a fast computer

Slow rendering hinders video editing process and other commands given to a computer. From a practical point of view, it is recommended that irrespective of the model of the computer or version of your software; your computer must be efficient to help you to access your files and software easily and to speed up your export time. With a slow computer, you will definitely feel stuck and the video editing complications will haunt you in your dreams.

Watch video editing tutorials

None of us is a pro until we’ve practiced something enough to know everything about it. Video editing requires both; technical knowledge as well as your creativity, so it is better not to do try things on your own. A little guidance can surely help you get through the basics of the video editing process. There are tons of helpful tutorials for making excellent videos on YouTube, vlogs, and educational websites. The majority of tutorials you’ll discover online are free, making the readily available at the tip of your fingers.

Get the project files

Most of the beginner video editors prefer to use the same project files as the tutorial instructors when they are following along. Your work will exactly resemble the demo’s sample, which will aid in your understanding of the steps. For precisely this reason, many tutorials let you download the project files. You can repeat a process with your own video files once you’ve mastered this technique.

Edit for a story

Remembering your creative objective to create a wonderful story or message through your edited video is one of the most crucial lessons you should learn from this article. It is critically important that you make your film visually appealing and dramatically engaging to effectively evoke the right emotions and to communicate your desired message. Instead of merely adding a huge amount of effects to wow your audience, use your practical and technical skills to do this.

Maintain an efficient workflow

You’ll need to be systematic and organized in addition to having an editing software if you want to become a more competent editor. Putting your projects and files in folders that you may use repeatedly is one method to streamline your process. Besides this, organizing your projects and files into an external hard drive or USB is recommended in case of losing access to your intricately designed projects.

Utilize keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts speed up the process of video editing and save you ample time. Different keyboard shortcuts are compatible with different video editing software; leaving a few which are mutual in every software. Don’t attempt to put all of these shortcuts into action at once. Pick a small number to begin with, and as they become instinctive, add more. You’ll progress more quickly if you use less mouse while editing your video.

Learn important terms

As a beginner, you may not want to feel a lump in the throat caused by the complicated dictionary of video editing software. There are some broad video editing terms that refer to videography as a whole as well as video editing terms specific to the process of editing footage. You must first learn what these terms means for example you may want to know what the terms like ‘aspect ratio, B-roll, bit rate, close up, compression, crop and compositing’ mean.

Color correct your clips

Do you own a rather boring video? Perhaps it’s a little too dull or the colors don’t stand out as much as they should? A crucial step is to modify the video’s color. This will assist in reducing the saturation and revive your video. Yet, there are some color correcting presets which can be easily accessed in different video editing apps.

Select good music

You ever saw an ad on YouTube or other social media platforms without an audio background. You may just want to skip it because the video, which may apparently be appealing, fails to strike you. Coordinating and complimenting your video with a music in the background is like cherry on top. It’s a huge plus to attract viewers’ attention. Though it is necessary that the music you choose must be relevant to your video file and should target the majority. So, choose good music to adorn your videos and trigger emotions in your target audience.

Add text and graphics

Some people are attracted more towards textual descriptions rather visual representation of content. It is crucial that considering the preferences of majority, you add significant details to your video which can target your audience in a multidimension. You might need to include more text in addition to the title, opening/closing billboards (for broadcasting), and film credits, depending on the type of film you’re making. However, you can make dazzling visuals using your editing program if you feel the urge to do so.

Export web versions

When your film is finished and is ready to be exported, you would have a natural urge to export it at the highest video resolution possible. If it’s going to be shown in theatres and on ultra-HD screens, this is unquestionably the best course of action. However, you should also export smaller, higher-quality versions for simpler viewing in the modern day where video projects are typically promoted online and on social media.

The objective of creating a file for the web is to keep its high quality while not making it too large for upload and online viewing. Don’t worry if you’re unsure of the export settings to utilize. Websites like Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo all provide suggested export settings to assist you in correctly resizing your content.

Part 3: 10 Advanced Editing Tips for Professionals

We all definitely have experimented with video editing tools to some extent. But now, it is definitely time to become a pro. Don’t worry, the process isn’t as scary as we imagine it to be. This article is your best stop to grab some fine guidelines about how to become a video editor, in fact, a Pro video editor.

1. Make titles stand out

You’re skilled in video editing, but do your titles seem a little…unfinished? Do those lower thirds strike you as being monotonous and boring? Is your typography competing for attention against your pictures? It appears that you would benefit from some basic title design advice, and lucky for you, we have some. Your title must be readable by majority and always choose your safe way in selecting texts for example, a sans-serif typeface is usually going to be a safe choice for video. You can also animate text to highlight it so that it is more captivating.

1. Put video inside text or logos effects

Videos resonate with your brand and content if you add a specific logo or text effects to it. Almost all the video editors allow this featuring so that the identification of your work is maintained and copyright claim can be imposed if you see your content being copied or manipulated.

1. Add light leaks, film burns and lens flares

Incorporating unique transitions into your monotonous videos can get you your viewer’s attention in a go. Lens flares, light leaks, and film burns can result in a unique look, but are not always easy to add naturally in-camera. Some of the best video editing software which allow access to adding lens flares, light leaks and film burns include: Free 4K Light Leaks – RocketStock, Motion Array Free Light Leaks, WZZLY Free Light Leaks, LIGHT LEAK FILM OVERLAY and many more.

1. Add the vintage old film look

The quick Instagram-category of filters are common today but what makes your videos more natural and appealing is the addition of some presets which almost every video editor offers. These presets add a classic vintage old film look to your videos by manipulating color correction effects, framerate settings, overlays, and aspect ratio hacks. Some popular vintage old film effects are found in software namely VSDC, VEED, Adobe Premium Pro and many others in list.

1. Add type-on effect

A type-on effect added to your videos comprehend your content more firmly. Simply by tabbing on ‘Add text effect’ in any video editor, you can add type-on effect to your videos and to add ravishing component to the overall structure of your video.

1. Zoom in or out effect

The zoom-in or out feature (if available) in your video editing software can allow you to magnify any part of your video quickly and easily. Some of the best video editors featuring this specification include: Wondershare DemoCreator Zoom in Video Effect, DaVinci Resolve, Wondershare Filmora , Windows Movie Maker and Apowersoft Screen Recorder.

1. Custom wipe on/off reveal effect

The wipe on/off reveal transition or effect is one of the earliest ways of transitioning from one scene to another. An object (usually a line) moves across the screen, revealing the next scene, while simultaneously removing (or wiping) the previous scene and when used properly, they can create a very powerful effect. It involves creative fading in and out transitions to give a more dramatic look.

1. 4k, 8k, HD resolution

The latest video editing software offer the export your edited video in multiple formats, out of which 4k, 8k and HD resolution formats are preferable for majority of the professional video editors. It is necessary that even after the video is uploaded to a platform, the pixels do not decrease and the quality of the video is maintained. Although attractive to the viewers, the higher the resolution, the more the data with which you must deal. It is suggested that a standard or default resolution is chosen to play and replay the video in different computers.

1. B-roll

B-roll is secondary video that is frequently used as cutaway video to add context and visual interest to your story. The term is originated from the early days of Hollywood when there used to be an A-roll which was the primary video and B-roll which served as a secondary video footage. This can help you visualize your video from different dimensions, giving it a more realistic look for captivating viewers.

1. Compression rate, bit depth, bit

The amount of data the camera records each second is referred to as bit rate. Every single second of a video is subject to significant data processing by cameras. The higher the quality of the video, the more is the bit rate. Bit depth refers to the number of colors your camera can read per pixel. Common bit depths are 8-bit and 10-bit, which enable a camera to read 256 million or 1.07 billion colors respectively. To upload your edited video, a compression is usually required to convert your resolution to internet quality so that the upload can be made simpler, without distorting the video resolution.

Whether your video is short or long, you may want to make it better and appealing. Video editing involves the manipulation of your videos through which the desired transformation is achieved and you can flaunt every move of your video in a more preferable way. Video editing involves cutting the video short, changing the speed, organizing the video in a seamless flow. In short, the better the cuts of your videos, the better your message/story is conveyed.

Part 1: Things to Learn Before Editing First Draft

You have shot your video and now you’re stuck on the post-processing of that video. Don’t worry! We got you covered through this article which will guide you through the different things which you must learn before editing the first draft of your video.

Start a video project

Your smartphone and digital camera can let you record multiple videos but what now? You head out to edit your first draft by choosing a suitable platform or software and then you can surely lay back and see the software doing wonders to your raw videos. By starting off with editing, you choose your video editing preferences and then you just let the video editing tools do the magic.

Get to know the video editing software workspace

Video editing software offer customizable workspaces for different editing tasks. The software workspace streamlines routine actions you take with clips, like editing clips, making DVD and Blu-ray menus, and sharing movies. By placing panels in the layout that best matches your working style, you can personalize your workspace. The additional panels adjust automatically to fit the window as you rearrange them. For various jobs, such as one for editing and one for preview, you can build and store multiple workspaces.

Understand the timeline

The timeline of your video is the backbone of your digital video editing process. It’s called a timeline because the various pieces of video will be lined up horizontally. In a video editing software, the timeline is where you arrange your video clips and plan out all the modifications you want to do. As you work, you will see every single one of your video and audio clips, effects, and transitions sorted chronologically from beginning to end. All the fundamentals of video editing, including reordering, trimming, and enhancing your footage, are available. To preview how your adjustments will turn out, you can also play your project at any point in the timeline.

Add clips to timeline

When you have grasped the idea behind a timeline, the next step you need to follow is to add clips into your timeline. Before adding clips to your timeline, it is suggested that you label each clip. Although it does seem like a lot of work, it will be easier to locate all of the clips later on if you’re working on a large project. after the footages are gathered and named, add important clips in the beginning of the timeline to begin establishing the video’s overall structure and order.

Editing tools

Besides basic cutting, trimming and cropping, video editing software offer multiple professional editing tools which enhance the outlook your videos and make them 10x better. For example, instead of cutting up a clip into a bunch of small clips and unwanted gaps, use the Ripple Edit tool keep your timeline clean. This means when a clip is trimmed, it causes a ripple effect throughout the rest of your timeline, shifting all other clips into a new timeline position.

Similarly, when working with lengthy timelines, the Razor tool is also really helpful because you can select the clip you wish to cut by dragging your razor over it. So, the Razor cut is the tool to use if you need to make a lot of cuts in your videos quickly.

Syncing audio and video

You already know how annoying it can be if audio and video don’t sync while you’re listening to a podcast or viewing a YouTube vlog. The video editing software offer helpful manual and auto sync tools. It can be though a bit of hard work for beginners, but the ‘Lights, Camera, Action’ approach works best in syncing your audio with your video. To sync audio, you need to record audio first and then through matching the wavelengths displayed on your timeline, you can sync the audio with your video.

Edit download talking head/interview footage

Now with professional video editing tools, you can make ‘talking head videos’ if you want to share your expertise as a YouTube vlogger or if you want to do employee training. Talking head films are a fantastic way to stimulate the mind and the heart while increasing learner retention in this digital age.

Additionally, with other video editing tools, you can edit your interview footages and for that, you don’t have to mess with timestamps, cutting or splicing videos, or creating transitions between clips, you just edit the transcript of the video and the video edits itself to match.

Video properties: Scale, position, opacity

Any screen recording, camera-based video, imported video clips, and text picture clips can have their visuals altered using video properties. In video editing software, multiple video properties are offered which include scaling, positioning, rotating, changing the opacity, changing level of reflection and shadow. Additionally, Video properties also include editing the video as a whole or just altering a clip from the video.

Types of cuts: Straight, J-Cut, L-Cut etc

The different types of cuts used in the video editing process is an effective way to make the transitions in your video pop. Basically, these cuts join two or more clips together via audio. Professional editors call these cuts as ‘split edits. The most common cuts are called J-Cut and L-Cut. They help to mix the content’s flow and keep the on-screen narrative in motion. In essence, these edits are necessary to make your scenes feel warm and more authentic.

Part 2: Practical Video Editing Tips

Choose right software

The push start of video editing for beginners is based on one common step: know your software or workspace. Selecting the appropriate software for editing your video is the first step in streamlining your video editing process. Although all software often includes the tools that you need to make ordinary video edits, you could favor one over the others based on its usefulness, digital interface, and features. Instead of just using the latest and trending video editing software available, the key is to choose what functions for you and your editing style.

Use a fast computer

Slow rendering hinders video editing process and other commands given to a computer. From a practical point of view, it is recommended that irrespective of the model of the computer or version of your software; your computer must be efficient to help you to access your files and software easily and to speed up your export time. With a slow computer, you will definitely feel stuck and the video editing complications will haunt you in your dreams.

Watch video editing tutorials

None of us is a pro until we’ve practiced something enough to know everything about it. Video editing requires both; technical knowledge as well as your creativity, so it is better not to do try things on your own. A little guidance can surely help you get through the basics of the video editing process. There are tons of helpful tutorials for making excellent videos on YouTube, vlogs, and educational websites. The majority of tutorials you’ll discover online are free, making the readily available at the tip of your fingers.

Get the project files

Most of the beginner video editors prefer to use the same project files as the tutorial instructors when they are following along. Your work will exactly resemble the demo’s sample, which will aid in your understanding of the steps. For precisely this reason, many tutorials let you download the project files. You can repeat a process with your own video files once you’ve mastered this technique.

Edit for a story

Remembering your creative objective to create a wonderful story or message through your edited video is one of the most crucial lessons you should learn from this article. It is critically important that you make your film visually appealing and dramatically engaging to effectively evoke the right emotions and to communicate your desired message. Instead of merely adding a huge amount of effects to wow your audience, use your practical and technical skills to do this.

Maintain an efficient workflow

You’ll need to be systematic and organized in addition to having an editing software if you want to become a more competent editor. Putting your projects and files in folders that you may use repeatedly is one method to streamline your process. Besides this, organizing your projects and files into an external hard drive or USB is recommended in case of losing access to your intricately designed projects.

Utilize keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts speed up the process of video editing and save you ample time. Different keyboard shortcuts are compatible with different video editing software; leaving a few which are mutual in every software. Don’t attempt to put all of these shortcuts into action at once. Pick a small number to begin with, and as they become instinctive, add more. You’ll progress more quickly if you use less mouse while editing your video.

Learn important terms

As a beginner, you may not want to feel a lump in the throat caused by the complicated dictionary of video editing software. There are some broad video editing terms that refer to videography as a whole as well as video editing terms specific to the process of editing footage. You must first learn what these terms means for example you may want to know what the terms like ‘aspect ratio, B-roll, bit rate, close up, compression, crop and compositing’ mean.

Color correct your clips

Do you own a rather boring video? Perhaps it’s a little too dull or the colors don’t stand out as much as they should? A crucial step is to modify the video’s color. This will assist in reducing the saturation and revive your video. Yet, there are some color correcting presets which can be easily accessed in different video editing apps.

Select good music

You ever saw an ad on YouTube or other social media platforms without an audio background. You may just want to skip it because the video, which may apparently be appealing, fails to strike you. Coordinating and complimenting your video with a music in the background is like cherry on top. It’s a huge plus to attract viewers’ attention. Though it is necessary that the music you choose must be relevant to your video file and should target the majority. So, choose good music to adorn your videos and trigger emotions in your target audience.

Add text and graphics

Some people are attracted more towards textual descriptions rather visual representation of content. It is crucial that considering the preferences of majority, you add significant details to your video which can target your audience in a multidimension. You might need to include more text in addition to the title, opening/closing billboards (for broadcasting), and film credits, depending on the type of film you’re making. However, you can make dazzling visuals using your editing program if you feel the urge to do so.

Export web versions

When your film is finished and is ready to be exported, you would have a natural urge to export it at the highest video resolution possible. If it’s going to be shown in theatres and on ultra-HD screens, this is unquestionably the best course of action. However, you should also export smaller, higher-quality versions for simpler viewing in the modern day where video projects are typically promoted online and on social media.

The objective of creating a file for the web is to keep its high quality while not making it too large for upload and online viewing. Don’t worry if you’re unsure of the export settings to utilize. Websites like Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo all provide suggested export settings to assist you in correctly resizing your content.

Part 3: 10 Advanced Editing Tips for Professionals

We all definitely have experimented with video editing tools to some extent. But now, it is definitely time to become a pro. Don’t worry, the process isn’t as scary as we imagine it to be. This article is your best stop to grab some fine guidelines about how to become a video editor, in fact, a Pro video editor.

1. Make titles stand out

You’re skilled in video editing, but do your titles seem a little…unfinished? Do those lower thirds strike you as being monotonous and boring? Is your typography competing for attention against your pictures? It appears that you would benefit from some basic title design advice, and lucky for you, we have some. Your title must be readable by majority and always choose your safe way in selecting texts for example, a sans-serif typeface is usually going to be a safe choice for video. You can also animate text to highlight it so that it is more captivating.

1. Put video inside text or logos effects

Videos resonate with your brand and content if you add a specific logo or text effects to it. Almost all the video editors allow this featuring so that the identification of your work is maintained and copyright claim can be imposed if you see your content being copied or manipulated.

1. Add light leaks, film burns and lens flares

Incorporating unique transitions into your monotonous videos can get you your viewer’s attention in a go. Lens flares, light leaks, and film burns can result in a unique look, but are not always easy to add naturally in-camera. Some of the best video editing software which allow access to adding lens flares, light leaks and film burns include: Free 4K Light Leaks – RocketStock, Motion Array Free Light Leaks, WZZLY Free Light Leaks, LIGHT LEAK FILM OVERLAY and many more.

1. Add the vintage old film look

The quick Instagram-category of filters are common today but what makes your videos more natural and appealing is the addition of some presets which almost every video editor offers. These presets add a classic vintage old film look to your videos by manipulating color correction effects, framerate settings, overlays, and aspect ratio hacks. Some popular vintage old film effects are found in software namely VSDC, VEED, Adobe Premium Pro and many others in list.

1. Add type-on effect

A type-on effect added to your videos comprehend your content more firmly. Simply by tabbing on ‘Add text effect’ in any video editor, you can add type-on effect to your videos and to add ravishing component to the overall structure of your video.

1. Zoom in or out effect

The zoom-in or out feature (if available) in your video editing software can allow you to magnify any part of your video quickly and easily. Some of the best video editors featuring this specification include: Wondershare DemoCreator Zoom in Video Effect, DaVinci Resolve, Wondershare Filmora , Windows Movie Maker and Apowersoft Screen Recorder.

1. Custom wipe on/off reveal effect

The wipe on/off reveal transition or effect is one of the earliest ways of transitioning from one scene to another. An object (usually a line) moves across the screen, revealing the next scene, while simultaneously removing (or wiping) the previous scene and when used properly, they can create a very powerful effect. It involves creative fading in and out transitions to give a more dramatic look.

1. 4k, 8k, HD resolution

The latest video editing software offer the export your edited video in multiple formats, out of which 4k, 8k and HD resolution formats are preferable for majority of the professional video editors. It is necessary that even after the video is uploaded to a platform, the pixels do not decrease and the quality of the video is maintained. Although attractive to the viewers, the higher the resolution, the more the data with which you must deal. It is suggested that a standard or default resolution is chosen to play and replay the video in different computers.

1. B-roll

B-roll is secondary video that is frequently used as cutaway video to add context and visual interest to your story. The term is originated from the early days of Hollywood when there used to be an A-roll which was the primary video and B-roll which served as a secondary video footage. This can help you visualize your video from different dimensions, giving it a more realistic look for captivating viewers.

1. Compression rate, bit depth, bit

The amount of data the camera records each second is referred to as bit rate. Every single second of a video is subject to significant data processing by cameras. The higher the quality of the video, the more is the bit rate. Bit depth refers to the number of colors your camera can read per pixel. Common bit depths are 8-bit and 10-bit, which enable a camera to read 256 million or 1.07 billion colors respectively. To upload your edited video, a compression is usually required to convert your resolution to internet quality so that the upload can be made simpler, without distorting the video resolution.

Whether your video is short or long, you may want to make it better and appealing. Video editing involves the manipulation of your videos through which the desired transformation is achieved and you can flaunt every move of your video in a more preferable way. Video editing involves cutting the video short, changing the speed, organizing the video in a seamless flow. In short, the better the cuts of your videos, the better your message/story is conveyed.

Part 1: Things to Learn Before Editing First Draft

You have shot your video and now you’re stuck on the post-processing of that video. Don’t worry! We got you covered through this article which will guide you through the different things which you must learn before editing the first draft of your video.

Start a video project

Your smartphone and digital camera can let you record multiple videos but what now? You head out to edit your first draft by choosing a suitable platform or software and then you can surely lay back and see the software doing wonders to your raw videos. By starting off with editing, you choose your video editing preferences and then you just let the video editing tools do the magic.

Get to know the video editing software workspace

Video editing software offer customizable workspaces for different editing tasks. The software workspace streamlines routine actions you take with clips, like editing clips, making DVD and Blu-ray menus, and sharing movies. By placing panels in the layout that best matches your working style, you can personalize your workspace. The additional panels adjust automatically to fit the window as you rearrange them. For various jobs, such as one for editing and one for preview, you can build and store multiple workspaces.

Understand the timeline

The timeline of your video is the backbone of your digital video editing process. It’s called a timeline because the various pieces of video will be lined up horizontally. In a video editing software, the timeline is where you arrange your video clips and plan out all the modifications you want to do. As you work, you will see every single one of your video and audio clips, effects, and transitions sorted chronologically from beginning to end. All the fundamentals of video editing, including reordering, trimming, and enhancing your footage, are available. To preview how your adjustments will turn out, you can also play your project at any point in the timeline.

Add clips to timeline

When you have grasped the idea behind a timeline, the next step you need to follow is to add clips into your timeline. Before adding clips to your timeline, it is suggested that you label each clip. Although it does seem like a lot of work, it will be easier to locate all of the clips later on if you’re working on a large project. after the footages are gathered and named, add important clips in the beginning of the timeline to begin establishing the video’s overall structure and order.

Editing tools

Besides basic cutting, trimming and cropping, video editing software offer multiple professional editing tools which enhance the outlook your videos and make them 10x better. For example, instead of cutting up a clip into a bunch of small clips and unwanted gaps, use the Ripple Edit tool keep your timeline clean. This means when a clip is trimmed, it causes a ripple effect throughout the rest of your timeline, shifting all other clips into a new timeline position.

Similarly, when working with lengthy timelines, the Razor tool is also really helpful because you can select the clip you wish to cut by dragging your razor over it. So, the Razor cut is the tool to use if you need to make a lot of cuts in your videos quickly.

Syncing audio and video

You already know how annoying it can be if audio and video don’t sync while you’re listening to a podcast or viewing a YouTube vlog. The video editing software offer helpful manual and auto sync tools. It can be though a bit of hard work for beginners, but the ‘Lights, Camera, Action’ approach works best in syncing your audio with your video. To sync audio, you need to record audio first and then through matching the wavelengths displayed on your timeline, you can sync the audio with your video.

Edit download talking head/interview footage

Now with professional video editing tools, you can make ‘talking head videos’ if you want to share your expertise as a YouTube vlogger or if you want to do employee training. Talking head films are a fantastic way to stimulate the mind and the heart while increasing learner retention in this digital age.

Additionally, with other video editing tools, you can edit your interview footages and for that, you don’t have to mess with timestamps, cutting or splicing videos, or creating transitions between clips, you just edit the transcript of the video and the video edits itself to match.

Video properties: Scale, position, opacity

Any screen recording, camera-based video, imported video clips, and text picture clips can have their visuals altered using video properties. In video editing software, multiple video properties are offered which include scaling, positioning, rotating, changing the opacity, changing level of reflection and shadow. Additionally, Video properties also include editing the video as a whole or just altering a clip from the video.

Types of cuts: Straight, J-Cut, L-Cut etc

The different types of cuts used in the video editing process is an effective way to make the transitions in your video pop. Basically, these cuts join two or more clips together via audio. Professional editors call these cuts as ‘split edits. The most common cuts are called J-Cut and L-Cut. They help to mix the content’s flow and keep the on-screen narrative in motion. In essence, these edits are necessary to make your scenes feel warm and more authentic.

Part 2: Practical Video Editing Tips

Choose right software

The push start of video editing for beginners is based on one common step: know your software or workspace. Selecting the appropriate software for editing your video is the first step in streamlining your video editing process. Although all software often includes the tools that you need to make ordinary video edits, you could favor one over the others based on its usefulness, digital interface, and features. Instead of just using the latest and trending video editing software available, the key is to choose what functions for you and your editing style.

Use a fast computer

Slow rendering hinders video editing process and other commands given to a computer. From a practical point of view, it is recommended that irrespective of the model of the computer or version of your software; your computer must be efficient to help you to access your files and software easily and to speed up your export time. With a slow computer, you will definitely feel stuck and the video editing complications will haunt you in your dreams.

Watch video editing tutorials

None of us is a pro until we’ve practiced something enough to know everything about it. Video editing requires both; technical knowledge as well as your creativity, so it is better not to do try things on your own. A little guidance can surely help you get through the basics of the video editing process. There are tons of helpful tutorials for making excellent videos on YouTube, vlogs, and educational websites. The majority of tutorials you’ll discover online are free, making the readily available at the tip of your fingers.

Get the project files

Most of the beginner video editors prefer to use the same project files as the tutorial instructors when they are following along. Your work will exactly resemble the demo’s sample, which will aid in your understanding of the steps. For precisely this reason, many tutorials let you download the project files. You can repeat a process with your own video files once you’ve mastered this technique.

Edit for a story

Remembering your creative objective to create a wonderful story or message through your edited video is one of the most crucial lessons you should learn from this article. It is critically important that you make your film visually appealing and dramatically engaging to effectively evoke the right emotions and to communicate your desired message. Instead of merely adding a huge amount of effects to wow your audience, use your practical and technical skills to do this.

Maintain an efficient workflow

You’ll need to be systematic and organized in addition to having an editing software if you want to become a more competent editor. Putting your projects and files in folders that you may use repeatedly is one method to streamline your process. Besides this, organizing your projects and files into an external hard drive or USB is recommended in case of losing access to your intricately designed projects.

Utilize keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts speed up the process of video editing and save you ample time. Different keyboard shortcuts are compatible with different video editing software; leaving a few which are mutual in every software. Don’t attempt to put all of these shortcuts into action at once. Pick a small number to begin with, and as they become instinctive, add more. You’ll progress more quickly if you use less mouse while editing your video.

Learn important terms

As a beginner, you may not want to feel a lump in the throat caused by the complicated dictionary of video editing software. There are some broad video editing terms that refer to videography as a whole as well as video editing terms specific to the process of editing footage. You must first learn what these terms means for example you may want to know what the terms like ‘aspect ratio, B-roll, bit rate, close up, compression, crop and compositing’ mean.

Color correct your clips

Do you own a rather boring video? Perhaps it’s a little too dull or the colors don’t stand out as much as they should? A crucial step is to modify the video’s color. This will assist in reducing the saturation and revive your video. Yet, there are some color correcting presets which can be easily accessed in different video editing apps.

Select good music

You ever saw an ad on YouTube or other social media platforms without an audio background. You may just want to skip it because the video, which may apparently be appealing, fails to strike you. Coordinating and complimenting your video with a music in the background is like cherry on top. It’s a huge plus to attract viewers’ attention. Though it is necessary that the music you choose must be relevant to your video file and should target the majority. So, choose good music to adorn your videos and trigger emotions in your target audience.

Add text and graphics

Some people are attracted more towards textual descriptions rather visual representation of content. It is crucial that considering the preferences of majority, you add significant details to your video which can target your audience in a multidimension. You might need to include more text in addition to the title, opening/closing billboards (for broadcasting), and film credits, depending on the type of film you’re making. However, you can make dazzling visuals using your editing program if you feel the urge to do so.

Export web versions

When your film is finished and is ready to be exported, you would have a natural urge to export it at the highest video resolution possible. If it’s going to be shown in theatres and on ultra-HD screens, this is unquestionably the best course of action. However, you should also export smaller, higher-quality versions for simpler viewing in the modern day where video projects are typically promoted online and on social media.

The objective of creating a file for the web is to keep its high quality while not making it too large for upload and online viewing. Don’t worry if you’re unsure of the export settings to utilize. Websites like Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo all provide suggested export settings to assist you in correctly resizing your content.

Part 3: 10 Advanced Editing Tips for Professionals

We all definitely have experimented with video editing tools to some extent. But now, it is definitely time to become a pro. Don’t worry, the process isn’t as scary as we imagine it to be. This article is your best stop to grab some fine guidelines about how to become a video editor, in fact, a Pro video editor.

1. Make titles stand out

You’re skilled in video editing, but do your titles seem a little…unfinished? Do those lower thirds strike you as being monotonous and boring? Is your typography competing for attention against your pictures? It appears that you would benefit from some basic title design advice, and lucky for you, we have some. Your title must be readable by majority and always choose your safe way in selecting texts for example, a sans-serif typeface is usually going to be a safe choice for video. You can also animate text to highlight it so that it is more captivating.

1. Put video inside text or logos effects

Videos resonate with your brand and content if you add a specific logo or text effects to it. Almost all the video editors allow this featuring so that the identification of your work is maintained and copyright claim can be imposed if you see your content being copied or manipulated.

1. Add light leaks, film burns and lens flares

Incorporating unique transitions into your monotonous videos can get you your viewer’s attention in a go. Lens flares, light leaks, and film burns can result in a unique look, but are not always easy to add naturally in-camera. Some of the best video editing software which allow access to adding lens flares, light leaks and film burns include: Free 4K Light Leaks – RocketStock, Motion Array Free Light Leaks, WZZLY Free Light Leaks, LIGHT LEAK FILM OVERLAY and many more.

1. Add the vintage old film look

The quick Instagram-category of filters are common today but what makes your videos more natural and appealing is the addition of some presets which almost every video editor offers. These presets add a classic vintage old film look to your videos by manipulating color correction effects, framerate settings, overlays, and aspect ratio hacks. Some popular vintage old film effects are found in software namely VSDC, VEED, Adobe Premium Pro and many others in list.

1. Add type-on effect

A type-on effect added to your videos comprehend your content more firmly. Simply by tabbing on ‘Add text effect’ in any video editor, you can add type-on effect to your videos and to add ravishing component to the overall structure of your video.

1. Zoom in or out effect

The zoom-in or out feature (if available) in your video editing software can allow you to magnify any part of your video quickly and easily. Some of the best video editors featuring this specification include: Wondershare DemoCreator Zoom in Video Effect, DaVinci Resolve, Wondershare Filmora , Windows Movie Maker and Apowersoft Screen Recorder.

1. Custom wipe on/off reveal effect

The wipe on/off reveal transition or effect is one of the earliest ways of transitioning from one scene to another. An object (usually a line) moves across the screen, revealing the next scene, while simultaneously removing (or wiping) the previous scene and when used properly, they can create a very powerful effect. It involves creative fading in and out transitions to give a more dramatic look.

1. 4k, 8k, HD resolution

The latest video editing software offer the export your edited video in multiple formats, out of which 4k, 8k and HD resolution formats are preferable for majority of the professional video editors. It is necessary that even after the video is uploaded to a platform, the pixels do not decrease and the quality of the video is maintained. Although attractive to the viewers, the higher the resolution, the more the data with which you must deal. It is suggested that a standard or default resolution is chosen to play and replay the video in different computers.

1. B-roll

B-roll is secondary video that is frequently used as cutaway video to add context and visual interest to your story. The term is originated from the early days of Hollywood when there used to be an A-roll which was the primary video and B-roll which served as a secondary video footage. This can help you visualize your video from different dimensions, giving it a more realistic look for captivating viewers.

1. Compression rate, bit depth, bit

The amount of data the camera records each second is referred to as bit rate. Every single second of a video is subject to significant data processing by cameras. The higher the quality of the video, the more is the bit rate. Bit depth refers to the number of colors your camera can read per pixel. Common bit depths are 8-bit and 10-bit, which enable a camera to read 256 million or 1.07 billion colors respectively. To upload your edited video, a compression is usually required to convert your resolution to internet quality so that the upload can be made simpler, without distorting the video resolution.

Whether your video is short or long, you may want to make it better and appealing. Video editing involves the manipulation of your videos through which the desired transformation is achieved and you can flaunt every move of your video in a more preferable way. Video editing involves cutting the video short, changing the speed, organizing the video in a seamless flow. In short, the better the cuts of your videos, the better your message/story is conveyed.

Part 1: Things to Learn Before Editing First Draft

You have shot your video and now you’re stuck on the post-processing of that video. Don’t worry! We got you covered through this article which will guide you through the different things which you must learn before editing the first draft of your video.

Start a video project

Your smartphone and digital camera can let you record multiple videos but what now? You head out to edit your first draft by choosing a suitable platform or software and then you can surely lay back and see the software doing wonders to your raw videos. By starting off with editing, you choose your video editing preferences and then you just let the video editing tools do the magic.

Get to know the video editing software workspace

Video editing software offer customizable workspaces for different editing tasks. The software workspace streamlines routine actions you take with clips, like editing clips, making DVD and Blu-ray menus, and sharing movies. By placing panels in the layout that best matches your working style, you can personalize your workspace. The additional panels adjust automatically to fit the window as you rearrange them. For various jobs, such as one for editing and one for preview, you can build and store multiple workspaces.

Understand the timeline

The timeline of your video is the backbone of your digital video editing process. It’s called a timeline because the various pieces of video will be lined up horizontally. In a video editing software, the timeline is where you arrange your video clips and plan out all the modifications you want to do. As you work, you will see every single one of your video and audio clips, effects, and transitions sorted chronologically from beginning to end. All the fundamentals of video editing, including reordering, trimming, and enhancing your footage, are available. To preview how your adjustments will turn out, you can also play your project at any point in the timeline.

Add clips to timeline

When you have grasped the idea behind a timeline, the next step you need to follow is to add clips into your timeline. Before adding clips to your timeline, it is suggested that you label each clip. Although it does seem like a lot of work, it will be easier to locate all of the clips later on if you’re working on a large project. after the footages are gathered and named, add important clips in the beginning of the timeline to begin establishing the video’s overall structure and order.

Editing tools

Besides basic cutting, trimming and cropping, video editing software offer multiple professional editing tools which enhance the outlook your videos and make them 10x better. For example, instead of cutting up a clip into a bunch of small clips and unwanted gaps, use the Ripple Edit tool keep your timeline clean. This means when a clip is trimmed, it causes a ripple effect throughout the rest of your timeline, shifting all other clips into a new timeline position.

Similarly, when working with lengthy timelines, the Razor tool is also really helpful because you can select the clip you wish to cut by dragging your razor over it. So, the Razor cut is the tool to use if you need to make a lot of cuts in your videos quickly.

Syncing audio and video

You already know how annoying it can be if audio and video don’t sync while you’re listening to a podcast or viewing a YouTube vlog. The video editing software offer helpful manual and auto sync tools. It can be though a bit of hard work for beginners, but the ‘Lights, Camera, Action’ approach works best in syncing your audio with your video. To sync audio, you need to record audio first and then through matching the wavelengths displayed on your timeline, you can sync the audio with your video.

Edit download talking head/interview footage

Now with professional video editing tools, you can make ‘talking head videos’ if you want to share your expertise as a YouTube vlogger or if you want to do employee training. Talking head films are a fantastic way to stimulate the mind and the heart while increasing learner retention in this digital age.

Additionally, with other video editing tools, you can edit your interview footages and for that, you don’t have to mess with timestamps, cutting or splicing videos, or creating transitions between clips, you just edit the transcript of the video and the video edits itself to match.

Video properties: Scale, position, opacity

Any screen recording, camera-based video, imported video clips, and text picture clips can have their visuals altered using video properties. In video editing software, multiple video properties are offered which include scaling, positioning, rotating, changing the opacity, changing level of reflection and shadow. Additionally, Video properties also include editing the video as a whole or just altering a clip from the video.

Types of cuts: Straight, J-Cut, L-Cut etc

The different types of cuts used in the video editing process is an effective way to make the transitions in your video pop. Basically, these cuts join two or more clips together via audio. Professional editors call these cuts as ‘split edits. The most common cuts are called J-Cut and L-Cut. They help to mix the content’s flow and keep the on-screen narrative in motion. In essence, these edits are necessary to make your scenes feel warm and more authentic.

Part 2: Practical Video Editing Tips

Choose right software

The push start of video editing for beginners is based on one common step: know your software or workspace. Selecting the appropriate software for editing your video is the first step in streamlining your video editing process. Although all software often includes the tools that you need to make ordinary video edits, you could favor one over the others based on its usefulness, digital interface, and features. Instead of just using the latest and trending video editing software available, the key is to choose what functions for you and your editing style.

Use a fast computer

Slow rendering hinders video editing process and other commands given to a computer. From a practical point of view, it is recommended that irrespective of the model of the computer or version of your software; your computer must be efficient to help you to access your files and software easily and to speed up your export time. With a slow computer, you will definitely feel stuck and the video editing complications will haunt you in your dreams.

Watch video editing tutorials

None of us is a pro until we’ve practiced something enough to know everything about it. Video editing requires both; technical knowledge as well as your creativity, so it is better not to do try things on your own. A little guidance can surely help you get through the basics of the video editing process. There are tons of helpful tutorials for making excellent videos on YouTube, vlogs, and educational websites. The majority of tutorials you’ll discover online are free, making the readily available at the tip of your fingers.

Get the project files

Most of the beginner video editors prefer to use the same project files as the tutorial instructors when they are following along. Your work will exactly resemble the demo’s sample, which will aid in your understanding of the steps. For precisely this reason, many tutorials let you download the project files. You can repeat a process with your own video files once you’ve mastered this technique.

Edit for a story

Remembering your creative objective to create a wonderful story or message through your edited video is one of the most crucial lessons you should learn from this article. It is critically important that you make your film visually appealing and dramatically engaging to effectively evoke the right emotions and to communicate your desired message. Instead of merely adding a huge amount of effects to wow your audience, use your practical and technical skills to do this.

Maintain an efficient workflow

You’ll need to be systematic and organized in addition to having an editing software if you want to become a more competent editor. Putting your projects and files in folders that you may use repeatedly is one method to streamline your process. Besides this, organizing your projects and files into an external hard drive or USB is recommended in case of losing access to your intricately designed projects.

Utilize keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts speed up the process of video editing and save you ample time. Different keyboard shortcuts are compatible with different video editing software; leaving a few which are mutual in every software. Don’t attempt to put all of these shortcuts into action at once. Pick a small number to begin with, and as they become instinctive, add more. You’ll progress more quickly if you use less mouse while editing your video.

Learn important terms

As a beginner, you may not want to feel a lump in the throat caused by the complicated dictionary of video editing software. There are some broad video editing terms that refer to videography as a whole as well as video editing terms specific to the process of editing footage. You must first learn what these terms means for example you may want to know what the terms like ‘aspect ratio, B-roll, bit rate, close up, compression, crop and compositing’ mean.

Color correct your clips

Do you own a rather boring video? Perhaps it’s a little too dull or the colors don’t stand out as much as they should? A crucial step is to modify the video’s color. This will assist in reducing the saturation and revive your video. Yet, there are some color correcting presets which can be easily accessed in different video editing apps.

Select good music

You ever saw an ad on YouTube or other social media platforms without an audio background. You may just want to skip it because the video, which may apparently be appealing, fails to strike you. Coordinating and complimenting your video with a music in the background is like cherry on top. It’s a huge plus to attract viewers’ attention. Though it is necessary that the music you choose must be relevant to your video file and should target the majority. So, choose good music to adorn your videos and trigger emotions in your target audience.

Add text and graphics

Some people are attracted more towards textual descriptions rather visual representation of content. It is crucial that considering the preferences of majority, you add significant details to your video which can target your audience in a multidimension. You might need to include more text in addition to the title, opening/closing billboards (for broadcasting), and film credits, depending on the type of film you’re making. However, you can make dazzling visuals using your editing program if you feel the urge to do so.

Export web versions

When your film is finished and is ready to be exported, you would have a natural urge to export it at the highest video resolution possible. If it’s going to be shown in theatres and on ultra-HD screens, this is unquestionably the best course of action. However, you should also export smaller, higher-quality versions for simpler viewing in the modern day where video projects are typically promoted online and on social media.

The objective of creating a file for the web is to keep its high quality while not making it too large for upload and online viewing. Don’t worry if you’re unsure of the export settings to utilize. Websites like Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo all provide suggested export settings to assist you in correctly resizing your content.

Part 3: 10 Advanced Editing Tips for Professionals

We all definitely have experimented with video editing tools to some extent. But now, it is definitely time to become a pro. Don’t worry, the process isn’t as scary as we imagine it to be. This article is your best stop to grab some fine guidelines about how to become a video editor, in fact, a Pro video editor.

1. Make titles stand out

You’re skilled in video editing, but do your titles seem a little…unfinished? Do those lower thirds strike you as being monotonous and boring? Is your typography competing for attention against your pictures? It appears that you would benefit from some basic title design advice, and lucky for you, we have some. Your title must be readable by majority and always choose your safe way in selecting texts for example, a sans-serif typeface is usually going to be a safe choice for video. You can also animate text to highlight it so that it is more captivating.

1. Put video inside text or logos effects

Videos resonate with your brand and content if you add a specific logo or text effects to it. Almost all the video editors allow this featuring so that the identification of your work is maintained and copyright claim can be imposed if you see your content being copied or manipulated.

1. Add light leaks, film burns and lens flares

Incorporating unique transitions into your monotonous videos can get you your viewer’s attention in a go. Lens flares, light leaks, and film burns can result in a unique look, but are not always easy to add naturally in-camera. Some of the best video editing software which allow access to adding lens flares, light leaks and film burns include: Free 4K Light Leaks – RocketStock, Motion Array Free Light Leaks, WZZLY Free Light Leaks, LIGHT LEAK FILM OVERLAY and many more.

1. Add the vintage old film look

The quick Instagram-category of filters are common today but what makes your videos more natural and appealing is the addition of some presets which almost every video editor offers. These presets add a classic vintage old film look to your videos by manipulating color correction effects, framerate settings, overlays, and aspect ratio hacks. Some popular vintage old film effects are found in software namely VSDC, VEED, Adobe Premium Pro and many others in list.

1. Add type-on effect

A type-on effect added to your videos comprehend your content more firmly. Simply by tabbing on ‘Add text effect’ in any video editor, you can add type-on effect to your videos and to add ravishing component to the overall structure of your video.

1. Zoom in or out effect

The zoom-in or out feature (if available) in your video editing software can allow you to magnify any part of your video quickly and easily. Some of the best video editors featuring this specification include: Wondershare DemoCreator Zoom in Video Effect, DaVinci Resolve, Wondershare Filmora , Windows Movie Maker and Apowersoft Screen Recorder.

1. Custom wipe on/off reveal effect

The wipe on/off reveal transition or effect is one of the earliest ways of transitioning from one scene to another. An object (usually a line) moves across the screen, revealing the next scene, while simultaneously removing (or wiping) the previous scene and when used properly, they can create a very powerful effect. It involves creative fading in and out transitions to give a more dramatic look.

1. 4k, 8k, HD resolution

The latest video editing software offer the export your edited video in multiple formats, out of which 4k, 8k and HD resolution formats are preferable for majority of the professional video editors. It is necessary that even after the video is uploaded to a platform, the pixels do not decrease and the quality of the video is maintained. Although attractive to the viewers, the higher the resolution, the more the data with which you must deal. It is suggested that a standard or default resolution is chosen to play and replay the video in different computers.

1. B-roll

B-roll is secondary video that is frequently used as cutaway video to add context and visual interest to your story. The term is originated from the early days of Hollywood when there used to be an A-roll which was the primary video and B-roll which served as a secondary video footage. This can help you visualize your video from different dimensions, giving it a more realistic look for captivating viewers.

1. Compression rate, bit depth, bit

The amount of data the camera records each second is referred to as bit rate. Every single second of a video is subject to significant data processing by cameras. The higher the quality of the video, the more is the bit rate. Bit depth refers to the number of colors your camera can read per pixel. Common bit depths are 8-bit and 10-bit, which enable a camera to read 256 million or 1.07 billion colors respectively. To upload your edited video, a compression is usually required to convert your resolution to internet quality so that the upload can be made simpler, without distorting the video resolution.

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