Edit Suite: Bare-bones Editing: Simple Editing Without a Controller

If you want to edit your videos but you don't want to set up an editing system, here's a simple solution.

When you get down to the basics of video, it's all about telling a story. You select the images and sounds that weave the message. It's all about choices--editing choices.

Editing is the essential step that separates droning videos from dazzling masterpieces. Are you limited to making mundane video if you don't own an edit controller? No. By mastering the simple techniques in this article you can assemble a quality video production without an edit controller. All you need is your camcorder, a standard VCR and a monitor. Sound simple? It is. You probably already have the gear you need.

Editing 101

In its basic form, editing is the process of rearranging, correcting and assembling a video into a polished production that tells a story. Let's look at each part of the process.

You may want to rearrange the order of the shots on your original camcorder tape. Maybe you scripted the second shot on your tape as the final scene in the video. Not a problem. During the editing process, you select each shot and choose the order they appear in the final production.

Mistakes happen. Tripods wobble at the worst moment and mouths turn to mush as a Pavlovian response to the word "action." You just skip over these gaffes and use only the best shots while editing. Save the funny "out takes" for another video.

You may want to add titles and maybe a musical sound track to your work. These steps, accomplished during the editing operation, give your production a professional look. Editing gives you the power to add these finishing to…