4 Pro Video Editing Tips You Need to Know

Editing is one of the most overlooked aspects of video producing. And yet, it’s one of the most important. It’s what turns a series of random clips into a story!

Here’s the thing though, with video editing. If you do your job right, no one will ever notice how good it is. Instead, they’ll be engrossed in the video!

But a poorly-edited video will pull audiences out of the story. Everyone will notice an awkward cut or a clip that doesn’t belong. It’ll ruin their viewing experience!

Never fear. With these 4 video editing tips, you’ll be flowing from scene to scene like a pro!

1. Label Your Clips

Labeling your clips well is one of the best possible tips for editing videos. Trust us, it pays to be organized. You don’t want to waste your time sorting through every single file, trying to find the shot you need. 

When you label your clips before you start editing, you’ll know exactly which file is which. It saves you lots of time. Plus, you won’t need to be pulled out of your creative flow to dig through all your files!

2. Cut on Action

If you don’t know any basics on how to edit videos, “cutting on action” is a good term for you to be familiar with. It refers to cutting between shots in the middle of a character’s action.

For example, say you have a scene where a character gets out of a car. Start with a wide or medium shot as they open the door, and then cut to a close-up as they move out of the car.

Cutting on action improves the flow of your video. It makes for a smoother transition between shots, especially when using other special effects for action shots, like a slow motion video editor.

3. Use J and L Cuts

To look like a pro, you need to use J and L cuts, or split cuts. This is a simple video editing trick to take your video to the next level.

A J cut is when you hear the audio before you see the visuals. For example, think of a car engine revving over a black screen, and then a cut to a car on a racetrack.

An L cut is the reverse; it means seeing the visuals before you hear the audio, like in narration scenes. Maybe a woman is talking about the Rocky Mountains, and before she’s done talking, it cuts to a shot of the mountains themselves.

4. Watch It With Others

If you really want a top-notch video, watch it with a friend or family member before you finalize it. Guaranteed, this is the best way to catch mistakes! Seeing it through someone else’s eyes will show you any and all things that you need to fix.

Plus, taking a break to watch it means that you’ll come back with fresh eyes. Letting a video sit for a while can sometimes be exactly what it needs.

Become a Master Editor With These Video Editing Tips

Even if you’re a complete beginner, you’ll be editing videos like a pro with these video editing tips! Once you’ve covered the basics, it’s a breeze. That video editing Oscar is about to be yours.

Read more of our articles for more helpful tips!

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