New to video editing? Learn the 9 essential rules to help you avoid common mistakes and quickly improve your video editing skills.
When I started editing videos, I made many mistakes and spent countless hours figuring out what worked and what didn’t. BUT If I had known these 9 rules, I could’ve saved myself a lot of time and frustration.
1. Understand The Basics of Storytelling
Editing is not just about cutting and pasting clips together; it’s about telling an interesting story. Every cut, transition, and effect should serve the story you’re trying to tell.
One technique I like to use when editing my YouTube videos is the THREE-ACT STRUCTURE:
- In the SETUP ACT, I introduce the main conflict or topic of my video. Think of it as laying the groundwork. This could be the introduction where I hook my audience with an interesting fact or a question and outline what they can expect.
- In the CONFRONTATION ACT, the main part of the video unfolds where I present the main content and get into the details. The goal is to keep the audience engaged by creating a sense of progression. If I’m doing a tutorial, this is where I demonstrate the core steps and highlight any difficulties.
- In the RESOLUTION ACT, everything comes together as I wrap up the topic and provide a satisfying conclusion. This is also where I tie up any loose ends and deliver my final message or call to action like asking the viewers to comment, like and subscribe, or watch a related end-screen video.
By using the THREE-ACT STRUCTURE, I ensure that my videos are informative, engaging, and easy to follow. Each cut, transition, and effect serves the purpose of enhancing the story and keeping the viewer invested from beginning to end.
2. Plan Before You Edit
Imagine trying to build a house without a blueprint – it would be a disaster, right? The same goes for video editing. Before you start cutting clips, you need a clear plan.
Begin with a storyboard or a detailed shot list. This acts as your roadmap, helping you visualize the final product and ensure you capture all the important shots.
I learned this the hard way on one of my earlier projects where I jumped straight into editing without a plan and ended up with a mess that took forever to fix.
Planning not only makes your editing process more efficient but also improves the quality of your final product. So, always take a few minutes to outline your edit before you start cutting clips.
3. Keep Your Edits Simple
It’s easy to get carried away with all the cool effects and transitions available, but remember, less is often more. The key is to focus on the essentials – clean cuts, smooth transitions, and a clear narrative.
Effective editing is about enhancing your story, not overwhelming it.
So, resist the urge to overcomplicate things. Stick to what serves your story best and keep your edits clean and straightforward.
4. Learn Keyboard Shortcuts
This might seem like a minor detail, but keyboard shortcuts save you an incredible amount of time and make your editing process much smoother.
I didn’t realize how much time I was wasting by constantly using my mouse for every little action. However once I learned the essential shortcuts, my workflow became much faster.
So, Take some time to learn the shortcuts for the software you’re using. Write them down, print them out, or buy and use an editing keyboard until they become second nature.
5. Keep An Eye On Continuity
Continuity is about making sure that everything in your video flows seamlessly from one shot to the next. Inconsistent details can be distracting and take your audience out of the experience.
For example, if you’re editing a scene where someone is holding a cup of coffee, make sure that the cup stays in the same hand and has the same amount of coffee throughout the sequence.
It sounds simple, but these small details can easily be overlooked.
6. Save Your Work Frequently
There’s nothing worse than losing hours of work due to a software crash. Make it a habit to save your project regularly and consider using the auto-save feature if your software has it.
This ensures that you don’t lose progress and can easily recover if something goes wrong. It’s a small habit that can save you a lot of frustration.
7. Practice Regularly
Like any skill, video editing improves with practice. The more you edit, the more comfortable and efficient you’ll become.
So set aside time each week to work on different projects, experiment with new effects, and challenge yourself with different styles.
Practicing regularly not only improves your technical skills but also boosts your confidence. Over time, you’ll find that tasks that once seemed difficult become easy.
8. Be Patient And Persistent
Video editing is a complex process, especially when you’re just starting. It’s important to be patient with yourself and persistent in your efforts.
When I was learning to edit, there were times I felt discouraged. But I kept at it, gradually learning from my mistakes.
Remember, even the best editors started as beginners.
Each project is an opportunity to learn and grow. Over time, your hard work will pay off, and you’ll see significant improvement in your editing abilities.
9. Develop Your Style
As you gain experience, you’ll start to develop your own unique editing style. This is what sets you apart from other editors and makes your work recognizable.
Experiment with different techniques, play with various effects and find what works best for you. Your style will evolve, influenced by your preferences and the projects you work on.
Check out our blog post, where I’ll walk you through exercises, techniques, and tips to develop your signature style and make your video editing instantly recognizable.