5 Simple Video Editing Hacks for Beginners to Edit Like a Pro

If you’re starting as a video editor, merely staring at the user interface of a video editing software can be intimidating. Editing videos necessitates an excellent blend of artistic ability and technological know-how. Initially, there were no methods for editing films before they were exhibited to the public. All the scenes were filmed in one continuous take, drawing gasps from viewers who couldn’t believe there were no music breaks or edits.

At present, the video production industry is based on sound editing techniques. Each editor has a unique style that helps them tell stories they are interested in by condensing them down to their absolute truths. Whether you’re a beginner looking to start or an amateur looking to take your editing skills to the next level, we’ve got you covered. 

Video Editing Hacks for Beginners

Here, we cover five simple video editing hacks that can help you get started editing like a pro and save you a lot of time and effort. 

Choose the right software

Selecting an appropriate software is the first step toward establishing an effective video editing workflow. Choosing an editing tool that fits your needs and editing preferences is more important than opting for the most cutting-edge tool available. For instance, if you shot your footage on an iPhone, you would be much better off editing it on Mac OS-based editing software that sports an HEVC accelerator. The most popular video-editing software are Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Final Cut Pro.  

Choose The Right System To Edit

Selecting an excellent computer system is integral to creating a tremendous video-editing workflow. If you try to edit a 4K video on a Chromebook, the Chromebook will get bricked before being able to render the final video for you. Paying attention to factors like solid-state storage and RAM upgradability plays a massive role if you’re using a PC. Forgetting monitors is pretty straightforward, but access to multiple color-accurate monitors can be game-changing. Keeping spare hard drives around would be ideal given the kind of storage you might use by storing raw video files on your machine. 

Create An Engaging Storyline

You may waste time filming unneeded scenes and trying to piece together the plot without an idea of how the finished product should look. First, watch all of your material before you begin editing. You never know when you might find a gem in the video you thought you wouldn’t use, so it’s important to watch everything. This is also done so we can understand the entire collection of shots before we begin editing. Knowing your footage well lies at the core of drawing an engaging storyline. Utilizing video editing services might be a great idea at this stage.

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Question yourself about your decision to use this shot instead of that one, cut here instead of there, or do anything else in the editing process that will affect the plot. That’s not just true of fictional works; commercials have a tale to tell. Give yourself some room to be creative and deviate from the storyboard occasionally but try not to go too off-track, as well-planned videos are more accessible to edit than improvised ones. There is a beginning, a middle, and an ending to every story. The ability to create an outline of the narrative you wish to form and how you intend to tell your story distinguishes promising filmmakers from great ones. 

Maintain An Efficient Workflow

To become a more effective editor, you won’t just require a lightning-fast computer system and cutting-edge software; you’ll also need to be organized and structured in your approach. Maintaining an efficient workflow is essential whether you work for a production company or a freelancer offering creative design services. Your workflow can be improved in several ways, one of which is by managing your projects and files in folders that can be used multiple times. 

It would help if you created specific folders and directories for your projects, film, audio files, photos, and graphics. You should also be able to create further sub-folders within those folders. Even devising a file structure for your projects can have a considerable impact by letting you edit videos more quickly since you won’t have to spend as much time looking for the footage you need. Utilizing shortcuts and macros allow you to maintain an efficient workflow. 

Preserve Audience Retention

Given the times we live in, where the attention span of just about anyone in the world is at its worst, it is vital to keep the audience hooked to their seats. Retention is the most critical aspect that will determine the success of your video. Having a compelling storyline alone cannot do the trick; making sure that the storyline is executed to perfection while maintaining retention throughout the video timeline is something that only excellent video editors can do.  

Closing Thoughts

Implementing these techniques can help you establish a strong foothold in the video editing industry. It is crucial to develop an incredible storyline that has the audience glued to their seats, whether you’re editing a short YouTube video or an entire movie. While choosing a computer or software is essential, it will help if you don’t let such decisions hold you back. The importance of diving right in and learning on the job cannot be emphasized enough.