Introduction

Creative Technology-7
What is Video Editing?
Video editing is the process of manipulating and rearranging video shots to
create a new work. Editing is usually considered to be one part of the post
production process — other post-production tasks include titling, colour
correction, sound mixing, etc.
Many people use the term editing to describe all their post-production work,
especially in non-professional situations. Whether or not you choose to be
picky about terminology is up to you. In this tutorial we are reasonably liberal
with our terminology and we use the word editing to mean any of the
following:
 What is Video Editing?

Rearranging, adding and/or removing sections

of video clips and/or audio clips.
Applying colour correction, filters and other
enhancements.
Creating transitions between clips.
There are many reasons to edit a
video and your editing approach will
depend on the desired outcome.
Before you begin you must clearly
define your editing goals, which
could include any of the following:
Remove unwanted footage

This is the simplest and most common

task in editing. Many videos can be
dramatically improved by simply getting
rid of the flawed or unwanted bits.
Choose the best footage
It is common to shoot far more footage
than you actually need and choose only
the best material for the final edit. Often
you will shoot several versions (takes) of
a shot and choose the best one when
editing.
Create a flow
Most videos serve a purpose such as
telling a story or providing information.
Editing is a crucial step in making sure
the video flows in a way which achieves
this goal.
Add effects, graphics, music, etc
This is often the "wow" part of
editing. You can improve most videos
(and have a lot of fun) by adding
extra elements.
 Alter the style, pace or mood of the
video
A good editor will be able to create
subtle mood prompts in a video.
Techniques such as mood music and
visual effects can influence how the
audience will react.
Give the video a particular "angle"
Video can be tailored to support a
particular viewpoint, impart a message or
serve an agenda.
 Different Types of Video Editing
There are several different ways to edit
video and each method has its pros and cons.
Although most editors opt for digital non-
linear editing for most projects, it makes
sense to have an understanding of how each
method works.
 Film Splicing
Technically this isn't video editing, it's film
editing. But it is worth a mention as it was the
first way to edit moving pictures and
conceptually it forms the basis of all video
editing.
Traditionally, film is edited by cutting sections of
the film and rearranging or discarding them. The
process is very straightforward and mechanical.
In theory a film could be edited with a pair of
scissors and some splicing tape, although in reality
a splicing machine is the only practical solution. A
splicing machine allows film footage to be lined up
and held in place while it is cut or spliced together.
 Linear editing
“Linear" means arranging clips and edits in a
predetermined sequence, essentially working from
the beginning of a project to the end, adding and
modifying footage one section at a time without
the ability to easily jump around and make changes
to earlier parts of the timeline without affecting
what comes after; .
 Linear editing

essentially, editing in a strict chronological

order, like physically cutting and pasting film
strips together in a linear fashion.
Digital/Computer (Non-linear)
In this method, video footage is recorded
(captured) onto a computer hard drive and
then edited using specialized software.
Once the editing is complete, the finished
product is recorded back to tape or optical
disk.
 Non-linear editing
has many significant advantages over linear editing. Most notably, it is a very flexible
method which allows you to make changes to any part of the video at any time. This
is why it's called "non-linear" — because you don't have to edit in a linear fashion.
One of the most difficult aspects of non-linear digital video is the array of
hardware and software options available. There are also several common video
standards which are incompatible with each other, and setting up a robust editing
system can be a challenge.
The effort is worth it. Although non-linear editing is more difficult to learn than
linear, once you have mastered the basics you will be able to do much more, much
faster.
 Non-linear editing
Sample uses of non-linear editing in video editing include:
Inserting B-roll footage:
Adding supplementary shots (like reaction shots or establishing
shots) from different takes to enrich a scene without having to
re-shoot the entire sequence.
Creating jump cuts:
Abruptly cutting between similar frames within a single clip to
create a sense of immediacy or tension.
 Non-linear editing

Using multiple video tracks:

Layering different video clips on top of each other to create picture-in-
picture effects, split screens, or visual overlays.
 Non-linear editing
Applying transitions smoothly:
Adding seamless transitions between clips like fades, wipes, or dissolves to create a polished flow
between scenes.
Color correction and grading:
Adjusting the color profile of individual clips or the entire video to achieve a specific aesthetic.
Adding motion graphics and animations:
Incorporating animated elements like titles, lower thirds, or motion graphics using keyframes to
enhance visual storytelling.
Editing complex documentaries:
Jumping between different timelines, interviews, and archival footage to build a narrative
structure.
Creating music videos:
Combining various video segments with music edits to create a visually dynamic sequence.
In some situations multiple
cameras and other video sources Live Editing
are routed through a central
mixing console and edited in real
time. Live television coverage is an
example of live editing.
Live editing is a fairly specialist
topic and won't concern most
people.
 Live Editing
Live sports broadcasting:
Virtual events and webinars:
Online meetings and collaborative work:
Social media live streams:.
News broadcasts:
Video production with multiple cameras:
 Video Editing Terminology
Capture Device: A hardware or firmware device used to convert analogue
video into digital video.
Compressors & Codecs: Software or firmware used to compress and
decompress digital video. Compression makes the file size smaller.
Editing: The process of rearranging, adding and/or removing sections of
video clips. Also, creating transitions between clips. Editing is part of
post-production.
Encoding: The process of converting digital video into a particular format,
for example, saving a video project in MGEG-2 format for DVD
distribution.
Video Editing Terminology
Layering: Adding multiple layers of superimposed video.
Linear Editing: Also known as tape to tape editing. A method of
editing in which footage is copied from one tape to another in the
required order.
Non Linear Editing: An editing method which uses computer
software to edit the footage Transition: The way one shot changes
to the next Post Production: Everything that happens to the video
and audio after production, i.e. after the footage has been shot.
Post production includes video editing, audio editing, titling, colour
correction, effects, etc.
Video Editing Software
Deciding which video editing software to use is
not easy. There is a huge range available, from
very basic applications such as Windows Movie
Maker to professional packages such as Final
Cut Pro, ULead MediaStudio and Adobe
Premiere.
How Editing Software Works
Most general-purpose editing software does three things:
❑Capture
❑Edit
❑Output
This means the software controls the capturing (recording) of
the footage, provides a way to edit the footage, and allows the
finished product to be output to a recording device such as a
VCR or DVD. Flash drive.
How Editing Software Works
Although the terminology may vary, non-linear video editing is founded
on the concept of a project. An editing project is a collection of
elements which are used to create the finished product. Elements can
include video clips, audio clips, titles, graphics, etc.
The project also includes information about how these elements are
arranged in the edit. In effect, a project consists of all the individual
elements and instructions on how they are put together. When you
create a video project, you import or capture the elements you need,
then arrange them in the order you want (adding effects and other
goodies if you like).
Video Transitions
The way in which any two video shots are joined together is
called the transition. Transitions are very important —
everyone from the camera operator to the editor must have
a good understanding of how to make effective transitions.
The most common transition is the cut, in which one shot
changes instantly to the next. The next most common
transition is the crossfade (AKA mix or dissolve), where one
shot gradually fades into the next.
Video Transitions
You can also think of a moving shot as being a transition
from one shot to a new one, e.g. a pan from one person to
another, or a zoom from a mid-shot to a close-up.
Transitions can be a lot of fun but be warned: Over-using
transitions is a common mistake made by amateurs. In most
professional productions, almost all transitions are simple
cuts or crossfades. Too many animated transitions are
distracting and impact on the flow of the video.
Creating Transitions
A cut doesn't need any sort of processing — one shot ends and the next
begins. Other types of transition can be added in several ways:
In-camera: Some cameras come with built-in transitions and fades.
Generating Device: In live productions, transitions can be added in real-
time using special effects generators. Most vision switchers include a
selection of transitions.
Post-Production: Transitions can be added during editing, using appropriate
software.
•The Simple Cut: A direct change from one shot to another maintaining
narrative continuity.
•Jump Cuts: Abrupt cuts that can show the passage of time or create a
jarring effect.
•Match Cuts: A cut from one shot to another where the two shots are
matched by action or subject.
•Dissolves: A gradual transition where one shot fades into the next, often
used to imply the passing of time.
•Wipes: A transition where one shot is swept away by another, sometimes
used in action sequences or to show a change in location.
•Specialized Transitions: These include morph cuts, invisible cuts, and graphic
matches, which can be used for creative or narrative effect.
Type Transitions
Dissolve More transition Dissolve transition
Jump cut possibilities Fade to white
Cut Whip Iris
J and L cuts Zoom Directional blur
Fade Camera transition Fade out
Match cut Cutaway Insert
Cross dissolve Wipe transition
Fade In Zoom video transition
Low angle shots can
be used to make a
subject appear
stronger, more
powerful, or more
threatening. They can
also be used to
emphasize a
character's sincerity or
indestructibility
A high-angle shot is
a cinematic technique where
the camera looks down on
the subject from a high angle
and the point of focus often
gets "swallowed up".
High-angle shots can make
the subject seem vulnerable
or powerless when applied
with the correct mood,
setting, and effects.[In film,
they can make the scene
more dramatic. If there is a
person at high elevation who
is talking to someone below
them, this shot is often used.
Eye Level Shot
Our first camera angle is the eye
level shot, and this is when your
subject is at eye-level. An eye
level shot can result in a neutral
perspective (not superior or
inferior). This mimics how we see
people in real life — our eye line
connecting with theirs, and it can
break down boundaries.
The Cowboy Shot or Hip Level Shot
A Cowboy shot is when your
camera is roughly waist-high.
Hip level shots are often useful
when one subject is seated while
the other stands.
Hip level shots can also be
extremely useful camera angles
for when you have action that
occurs near the hip, like
weapons being drawn, or
someone reaching into their
pocket. That's why it's also
known as a "cowboy shot" — we
can't think of hip level shots
without seeing a gun, holster,
and the enemy ahead in the
distance.
Knee Level Shot
This is when your camera
height is about as low as your
subject’s knees. They can
emphasize a character’s
superiority if paired with a low
angle. It's not as extreme as a
ground level shot but it gets
the same feeling across. These
are ideal when you want to
focus on characters walking,
or in this case from Home
Alone, creeping.
Ground Level Shot
A ground level shot is
when your camera’s
height is on ground level
with your subject. This
camera angle is used a
lot to feature a character
walking without
revealing their face, but
it can help to make the
viewer more active and
use the actor's
performance to build an
idea.
Shoulder Level Shot
A shoulder level shot
is a camera angle that
is as high as your
subject’s shoulders.
Shoulder level shots
are actually much
more standard than
an eye level shot,
which can make your
actor seem shorter
than reality.
Dutch Angle or Dutch Tilt Shot
For a Dutch angle (Dutch tilt),
the camera is slanted to one side.
With the horizon lines tilted in
this way, you can create a sense
of disorientation, a de-stabilized
mental state, or increase the
tension.
A wide shot
is a camera
shot that
shows a
subject in
relation to its
surroundings. I
t's also known
as a long shot
or full shot