Editing movies, like writing a book or painting a picture, requires creativity, patience, and knowledge. It’s also usually just as hard. But with a little practice, you could become the next Hollywood A-lister!
Here are some tips on how to start your own Hollywood career in editing. You’ll learn what types of editing software are available for computers and for mobile devices, which programs are best for beginners, how to work with audio and video files, and how to edit dialogue. Find out more about the different types of cuts that can be made in an edit: dialogue; action; reaction; reaction/cut; time-lapse; montage; etc.
Table of Contents
What Is Filmmaking?
Filmmaking is the process of creating a motion picture, which typically has a film score and visual imagery. Filmmaking is the art and craft of creating motion pictures for viewing on any medium. This includes filmmaking for a live performance on stage or screen, filmmaking for television.
The Basics of Editing
The first step in editing is understanding how to make the most out of your footage. You don’t need any special software to edit video, but you do need to know what you’re doing.
To start with editing, create a rough cut of your video and look for places where there’s an overlap or that require a variation in shot. Maybe a character just walked into frame from off-screen and needs to walk back around again before exiting? Maybe there’s a shot that should be longer than it is? This can be done by using your previous shots as a reference for where the characters are going and when they are supposed to exit the frame.
Types of Cuts
Here are the different types of cuts that can be made in an edit: dialogue; action; reaction; reaction/cut; time-lapse; montage; etc.
– Dialogue:
A cut where one character talks to another. This type of cut is also known as a continuity cut. I recommend using this cut if you want to keep your Reel Craze audience engaged and on their toes, or if you want to change the pace in your edit.
– Action:
A cut where something happens dramatically, usually with a lot of movement, sound effects, and music.
– Reaction:
A cut that includes no dialogue but instead focuses on what the character is doing or feeling. For example, they might be crying because they’re sad, laughing at a joke someone just said, or feeling insecure because they don’t think they’re pretty like other girls their age.
– Reaction/Cut:
A combination of a reaction and time-lapse in an edit. In this type of cut, you have one shot of somebody reacting and then there’s a quick transition into what’s happening around them (for example, the camera pans to reveal something happening offscreen). This type of editing is very popular in sports movies when it shows what happened before the scene was filmed so that it doesn’t feel repetitive.
– Time Lapse:
A shot where there’s only one frame per second for about a minute or two minutes. The length could vary depending on how long you want it to last.
Editing Software
There are a lot of editing software options available, but some are better than others. You’ll want to make sure that you have the right editing software before beginning your edits.
When looking at which editing software would work best for editing your movie, consider these factors:
Is the software compatible with your needs?
Do you need to edit video files or audio files?
How many users are on the computer at once?
Do you need to be able to split audio files into smaller parts?END>>
Audio and Video File Types
Most of the editing software available for computers is designed to work with video. There are some programs that can be used in conjunction with audio, such as Audition, but the vast majority is designed for audio. It’s important to know what type of file your software requires before you start a project. For example, if you’re using Final Cut Pro and trying to open a video file, your software will ask you which format it is in AVI or MOV.
Basic Video Editing Software
The first step to becoming a professional editor is choosing the right editing software. There’s a lot of editing software available, but here are some basic ones you might want to look into:
- Adobe Premiere Pro CC ($17/mo)
- Final Cut Pro X (free trial)
- Avid Media Composer ($18/mo)
- Sony Vegas (free trial)
Advanced Audio Editing Software
One of the most important things you need is advanced audio editing software. The good news is that there are a lot of affordable pieces of software that can give you amazing results and help you get started in editing movies. One thing to keep in mind when buying software is that you should invest in something that has more than one platform available.
Programs like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro work with both Apple computers and Microsoft Windows PCs, making them perfect for beginners. If you want to edit Reelcraze movies on the go, then look for apps like iMovie or Avid FreeDV on your iOS device or Avid Premier on your Android device.
Dialogue Techniques.
Dialogue techniques can help you take your editing to the next level. There are two types of dialogue cuts: reaction and reaction/cut. The first is a cut that shows someone’s response to something that has just happened in the scene,
for example, “I can’t believe he said that!” Reaction/cut cuts usually show a simultaneous response from two or more characters and it’s appropriate when there is tension between them. This cut emphasizes the tension or conflict by cutting back and forth between the people involved.
In addition to these dialogue techniques, you should also be using camera techniques like close-ups, shots of people reacting to each other, extreme close-ups on particular parts of a character’s face, etc. These techniques will make your movies more interesting and engaging for viewers who watch them again and again.
