Making the Most of Free Video Editing
Staying on the cutting edge in the digital world requires skills and tools that make your content unique and trendy. And one such skill that is inescapable these days is video editing. It won't be an overstatement to say that being proficient in video editing can make your content stand out in the crowd, be it for your YouTube channel, a marketing campaign, or even a small school project. There is a range of software that can help you become the best video editor without burning a hole in your pocket.
Free Video Editing: The New Norm
These days, there are numerous free video editing platforms that allow amateurs to produce professional-looking videos. Adobe Premiere Pro CC, for example, is a dominant player in the field of video editing that lets you create, edit, and share videos online, on TV, or on the big screen. This software tends to be the go-to clip maker for many marketers, video creators, and filmmakers.
But how to make the most of free video editing? Here are some tips and best practices.
Understand Your Editing Needs
Before you decide to jump into video editing, have a clear idea of what you want the final product to be. Do you want a simple video or a complex, layered one? Maybe you need a YouTube video or a corporate presentation. Understand what elements you need in your video, such as voice-overs, background music, titles, etc.
Learn the Interface
Every video editor or clip maker comes with a unique interface. Spend some time understanding the interface of your chosen video editing software. Familiarize yourself with the different options available, such as cutting, adding, deleting, and layering clips, etc.
Leverage the Multi-Track Editing
One of the features most advanced video editing software provide is multi-track editing. It allows you to have many elements, such as video, audio, text, etc., overlaid, which can add depth to your video.
Editing Best Practices
Although video editing is a lot about creativity, there are rules that good editors follow. These include the use of J-cuts, maintaining continuity of motion, correct use of B-roll, sound editing, layering, and more. These practices can that ensure your video does not appear choppy or unprofessional. It is also of utmost importance to ensure that your video is appropriately lit and that the color balance is right, making the video appealing to the viewer's eyes.
Minimize Distractions
Removing filler words such as "umms" and "aahs" can be a great way to keep your audience engaged. Most professional editors find this an essential part of their editing process, giving the final product a polished look and feel.
Leverage AI
Many video editing software, including Adobe Premiere Pro CC, offer AI features that help perform complex tasks in an instant. For example, auto-adding zooms at key moments based on the spoken content, or removing silences/awkward pauses from raw footage.
Try-before-you-Buy
Many paid tools often come with free trials allowing you to understand the software's capabilities before committing to a purchase. It's a great opportunity to learn new tools and improve your video editing skills.
Speaking of that, let me introduce you to FireCut. It is a niche plugin for Adobe Premiere Pro CC that can significantly enhance your video editing experience. It carries multiple utilities that streamline your video editing process.
FireCut focuses on offering smart editing with features like automatic J-cut addition, removing unnecessary silences, and detecting chapters to generate fine dividers for your videos. Also, with advanced AI technology, it can decipher when the speaker has done multiple takes of the same part of their script and remove the repetition, avoiding unnecessary confusion.
FireCut is a paid plugin, but it offers a free trial period allowing you to figure if it can work for you. It is an exemplary model of a simple video editor that does complex, professional-style editing with ease.
Final Words
Video editing can be a daunting task, but with the right tools at your disposal, it can act as a significant enhancement for your digital content. Remember, the best video editor is the one who understands their content, knows their tools, and can effectively blend creativity with best practices. Whether you're a budding YouTuber, a marketing professional, or someone experimenting with video creation, these tips should help you maximize your output while video editing for free or on a budget.