Digital Video Editing

Video editing is the process of modifying or re-arranging segments of video to form another piece of video.

The process has the same general goals as those in film editing including the deletion of unwanted footage, isolation of desired footage and an arrangement of video segments over time to create a new section of footage.

Modern video editing software is readily available

Modern video-editing software is available for virtually every video-editing task. Video editors are using programs such as Adobe Premiere, Media Composer, Xpress Pro and Apple’s Final Cut Pro to manipulate captured video footage. High definition video is growing rapidly in popularity and is readily edited using this software plus related graphics programs. The editor arranges clips on a timeline and adds music tracks and titles where applicable. He can also create special effects and then render the program into the desired finished video footage. When completed, the video can be readily distributed using DVD, web streaming, Quicktime Movies, iPod, videotape or CD ROM.

Here are 5 tips for good video editing

Regardless of your level of video editing experience, here are five good tips that will let you produce better videos:

• Make your cuts carefully and allow them to flow naturally. The viewer should never be able to tell where you made them.
• Maintain continuity. Changes in screen direction, jump cuts and other continuity goofs really hurt your production quality. Recognize these errors and avoid them.
• Learn your audience’s tastes. The production isn’t for you, it’s for them. So learn to edit for the tastes of a specific audience and set your personal tastes aside.
• Keep your edits tight. If they are not tight, they are not right. The timing and the pace of your edits should be as tight as you can make them. Take the time to trim an extra couple of frames.
• Preserve truth and integrity when editing. You have the power to manipulate the reality of what your viewer’s see. Little things such as omitting footage, changing sequences and taking shots that are out of context. Keep it straight and preserve your credibility with your viewers.

Internet business is booming for video editors

There is so much video production being done today that the Internet is a great source for video editors with experience. Of course there are established video design and production people available, but there are also numerous opportunities for independent contractors/freelancers to bid on the many outsourced video editing projects that are posted on websites designed specifically to bring outsource buyers and freelance providers together. Companies and individuals post and describe their projects projects, provide a bracketed price range (e.g. $300-$1500) and then consider bids from individual or team providers of the needed video editing services. Experience is definitely requested and buyers request information on bidder’s backgrounds. They may even ask for bids from providers who have a considerable amount of experience with specific software programs.