A well put together video, whether a simple clip or home video montage to a full-on cinema film, the editing is what brings it all together. The frills and thrills of the end product working seamlessly in harmony and showing us the magic of final touches and touch-ups.
My husband is by no means any Steven Spielberg but he does have his little cameras and software programs that he uses for his hunting videos, and surprisingly enough some turn out pretty good. Well, mostly the ones where I can’t see the kill and his triumphant face lighting up from a perfect shot. More the journey to the destination is what appeals to me.
What is video editing you ask? Essentially it is the arrangement and cohesiveness of video shots strung together in a fluid run of images. But for a more interesting read, click here for a look into how it’s evolved and the background history of the video editor.
Types of editing
While modern advances are adding to the process of film making and editing every day, there are a few basics that remain intact and what some would call the foundation blocks of the story. We will have a look at the various methods and the benefits of each.
Film splicing is the grandad of film. Remember those spools we used to get for our cameras before everything became digital, you used to take photos and have to wait as a surprise the outcome of what you took, so fun. I’ve had many a dud image that I still have some of today as a memento and abstract art in a way. Good times.
Well, those negatives are essentially how splicing film was organized, you would arrange the negatives cutting here and there discarding sections and taping others together till you had one continuous line of prints that you then fed into the machine. Bring on the old school film reels and crackling sounds of the film startup, oh the good old days!
Then there was tape to tape (Linear) where you needed two cassette machines. One would have the blank tape in and the other the footage tape of which the sections you wanted to send over to the blank one would be stopped and played on and off as the story went along, and recorded into the ‘edited’ version.
Who still has a VHS lying around raise your hand? I loved those and we all had a box stacked full with handwritten titles on the side of each tape sitting next to the TV stand am I right? Or visiting the local Mr. Video down the corner on a Friday night with the famous ‘Be kind Rewind’ phrase stamped onto the boxes.
Now what we know in today’s times is where digital (non-linear) comes into play. For this method, video footage is recorded onto a computer and using specialized software it’s edited into the movies and documentaries we see today. Once the editing is complete the final cut is recorded back onto a tape or disk.
It may all seem a bit overwhelming with all these technical words floating around, and trust me I had the same blank look on my face when I first started. Watch this quick video for a simple breakdown and explanation of the processes and you’ll see it wasn’t that bad, to begin with.
How to choose the right editing software?
Before you jump into any major purchases take the time to write down a few features you think you might need, what are you going to be using the software for and the budget you are willing to splurge. Getting sucked into clever marketing strategies is a slippery slope when you purchase on emotion rather than a necessity, so be prepared.
Going the cheapest route is not necessarily the wisest option as you know what they say, ‘you get what you pay for.’ The basic package might be financially appealing, but will it allow you to do the work you need done or will you end up frustrated by its limited capabilities?
You want a quality program that won’t break the bank while also offering you top service with features to take your editing, even if it’s just for personal use, to the next level. And there are many software programs on the market all claiming to be the best and do the work, so do some research.
To see what’s being said about one of the top-rated programs in the industry today, check out Corel Videostudio Pro review, and get insight into whether such a high-end program is best for you and if it’s features are suited to your brand and company to elevate it. After all, we didn’t come here to get second place, did we?
5 Advantages of using video editing software
- No plug-ins. We can now record and upload images on our smartphones to the software and edit with no fuss, no need to be stationary, with specialized versions transitions and sound are available at a touch of a button.
- Cost-effective. You don’t need to rely on the services of hiring in a professional filmmaker and editor, the programs are pretty straight forward to use and you just take it one step at a time. They have simplified versions better suited to the novelists of film editing and you can progress from there.
- At home. Having the software on your phone or PC allows you to play around in editing from the comfort of your home, no unnecessary studio time.
- Quality. Your phone may upload and record it in a simple resolution such as MP4 or 3GP, by uploading it into the software you can increase the resolution and create a higher definition product.
- Speed. Having readily available access to the software can get the job done quicker.
No matter if you’re a professional or stay at home mom with an interest in filmmaking, the right software can take you to that next stage in your development and film journey.
