Tips on Movie Editing
From LoveToKnow Movies
If you've always yearned to be the next Spielberg, you'll undoubtedly need some helpful tips on movie editing (among other things) to set you on the path to fame and fortune.
Getting Started
You've shot your masterpiece and, frankly, you're thrilled. It's a fascinating movie that's sure to get everyone talking. You can't wait to share it with the world.
Hold on there, Scorsese.
Before you send out the invites and plan your opening night, you need to transform your unfinished product into a tightly edited, perfectly cut version. Of course, at-home film-making certainly allows some room for error (no one really expects you to pull off an Oscar-winning triumph right off the bat), but your audience will appreciate your work much more if it's in ideal viewing condition.
As the film's producer or director, you'll want to make sure your video captures the spirit of what you first envisioned it to be. Working with the editor ensures that the final product remains faithful to your vision, while still allowing the film some freedom to take on a life of its own. The final product may not be exactly what you imagined, but you'll rest comfortably knowing that it's been edited to its best state.
In order to make the job easier, adhere to some basic shooting tips. They'll save time during the editing process and make your overall project look and sound so much more professional.
- Use a tripod. Regardless of how great your camera's built-in stabilizing feature might be, it won't compare to keeping the camera itself steady.
- Remember The Blair Witch Project? It may have been a hit, but those shaky shots left many in the audience queasy. Avoiding rapid pans and zooms will keep your film looking clean and your audience focused on the subject at hand – not their stomachs!
- Great sound and light are essential for any movie's success. Use an external microphone to capture only the sounds you want the audience to hear; no one wants to hear your actors sneezing in the background! Similarly, pay attention to lighting. Shoot with the sun behind you for an optimal image.
Achieve Success: Some Tips on Movie Editing
It's time. Your project has been shot, you've thanked everyone and hopefully fed them well, too (hey, long breaks on a film set demand a little grub). Now it's time to polish up your work and make it the best it can possibly be. Shot by shot, frame by frame, your rough cut is ready to be transformed into a veritable masterpiece.
Making Cuts
Though difficult, it's one of the most important moves you'll make during the editing process: filtering out scenes that don't contribute to the story or serve a purpose in the story's visual telling. This can be especially challenging when you find yourself on the fence about a scene that you just love – but one that's not necessarily crucial to the film. During times like these, it's always helpful to have several people around you to gauge opinions and even be the final shove you need to get rid of a specific scene.
Sound Effects
Use a light hand when adding sound effects to your final edit. Natural, subtle sounds are more efficient than dramatic, booming sounds. The idea is to build a surround sound library, of sorts, that represents the specific scene's environment. Of course, a nightclub would naturally feature the loud buzz of people chatting and music playing, but those sounds needn't be exaggerated to make your point. The combination of visuals and audio is powerful; use sound to complement the scene, not overpower it.
"Sweetening," or enhancing, the sound is also important. In addition to adding important sound effects and music to your film, you also need to clean up the rest of the audio associated with your production. Even out levels and equalizations to really achieve a crisp, sparkling overall sound.
The Power of Color
After you've cut the scenes deemed unnecessary and adjusted your audio, you'll want to focus on color. Tweak your color adjustments as needed until the entire project is fine-tuned to perfection (or as close to perfection as possible!).
Other Tips
You can make life a bit easier by playing around with some free movie editing software packages. You'll discover what each has to offer and determine whether the program is right for your project's very specific needs. Then you can go on to purchase a full blown program if needed.
Take these tips on movie editing and more--and get that masterpiece finished!
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