Basic Editing

A few features about basic editing.

Software

The Free Versions

Windows Movie Maker - The Windows 7 version is not as good as the previous versions. It is possible to download and install a previous version instead.

VideoPad Free quite goodhas many of the features of other expensive programs

Cheap
Sony  Vegas
A lite version often comes with some of the cameras.

Expensive
Adobe Premier

Videoing

If you can record the same scene from two different angles. Use 2 cameras. If you only have one camera then do the scene twice and video it from different angles. If the scene is a success then try it again. Two copies of the same thing is useful because one is always so much better than the other.

Tips for Video Production Editing

1. Know your footage intimately.
   Look at all the video you have taken including all the bits that went wrong, although a take may have gone wrong there might be some good parts that you could use. Collect any still photographs  that might be used to cut to whilst the narration continues.


2. Lay-out the key elements of your film.
   Start placing all the best parts on the timeline and watch them through in its rough form to start “feeling” what works.  This is where most people finish and say this is the final item.


3. Start building the basic structure.
   Narrow down your story into a beginning, middle and end.  Keep the video as short as possible. At this time videos normally get longer and longer.


4. Create a great beginning.
   Most videos are made or not in the first few moments so try to make the first few seconds the best you can. A good video captures the audience’s attention right away!


5. Watch the Adverts
   Often in the middle of a program, the adverts creep in. In 15-30 seconds these adverts tell a story and get a message across. The Scenes are quick - perhaps only a few seconds. Now apply this to your video. Add more scenes and make them shorter. Changing the viewpoint makes the video more exciting even when it isn't. Raely do you watch one viewpoint for more that a few seconds.


6. Refine and Re-edit
   The only rule in video production editing is to do what WORKS. Keep Refining and re-editing the video until it’s right. If in doubt - cut it out. Once it is perfect. Save everything. Produce a final copy, so it to someone not involved in the project. Watch their reaction.
   
7. Refine and Re-edit
   Edit the video again. Put all the things right, Save, produce the final final copy and show it to someone else. They should be happier than the first audience.
   
8. Show it to the world
   Load your video onto You tube