Basic Training: 11 Steps to Add Some Spice to Your Video (page 3)

11. Edit tightly

Find the clips that get to the core of your video and cut away everything else. Beware of things that have limited, sentimental value or inside jokes if your audience is larger than your immediate circle. You may think that junior mashing his face into a plate of spaghetti is the best video you've ever shot, but folks outside your family will probably disagree. Also, keep it short. Instead of showing all 4 hours of your vacation footage, select only the very best 10-second shots and compile them into an effective and entertaining ten-minute (or shorter) show.

Conclusion

One thing you should always aim for is to entertain your viewer. And face it, a lot of things that end up on video aren't terribly exciting to begin with ("I'd like to take this opportunity to explain to the stockholders our six year plan to bring Wonder Widgets to the forefront of the industry." "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..." or "Okay, we're back for the sixth inning, you can just see Billy out there by the light post in left field.") This doesn't mean you need to have a dog and pony show in every corporate video, but you do have an obligation to make your video, if not entertaining, then at least not dull.

There are plenty of things that you can do to break up the monotony of a lackluster video. The first key is to look critically at other people's productions, learning to see what they're doing, why they're doing it, and judging for yourself whether or not it really works. Once you understand the various shots and techniques that make good video, it'll be possible to include them in your own work. Motion, cutaways, and unusual camera angles can all add to the impact of your productions and make them more interesting for your viewer.

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Basic Training: 11 Steps to Add Some Spice to Your Video (page 3)

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