Interested in turning your research into a video? The process of filming and editing videos can be a frustrating task for those unfamiliar with the process. The links below provide advice for rookie editors on how to streamline the process and avoid common pitfalls.
Here are a collection of our key findings:
- Keep an eye on audio levels. In videos with multiple takes and shooting locations, audio levels are bound to differ, with some shots louder than others. To ensure a smooth viewing experience, keep constant watch of the sound levels and adjust accordingly. If including music or sound effects, make sure they do not overwhelm the clarity of the speaker.
- Trim, trim, trim. The trim tool, typically represented by a scissor icon, is your greatest tool as an editor. Through careful cuts, editors can massively reduce excess time in a video, masking mistakes, dead time and irrelevant information.
- Think about who is speaking. In videos involving multiple speakers, try to understand the dynamic at play. Try and maintain a reasonable balance between shots of the present speaker and the listening of their audience.
- Maintain continuity. If a presenter’s clothing were to change colour halfway through a video without explanation, it would be very distracting and detract from the message of the video. Establishing and maintaining continuity is of high importance for maintaining immersion. Constant vigilance should be kept to ensure as smooth a video as possible.
Links:
- 10 tips for editing video in a thoughtful, compelling way (10 min read, blog post)
- Editing is Everything (8 min watch, video)
- Avoid These 7 Common Video Editing Mistakes (5 min read, blog post)
- How to Edit Videos Like a Pro: 10 Tips (10 min read, blog post)
