Editing Tidbits

by Chuck Peters
Special Issue 1999

General tips

• Plan your editing before you shoot.

• Keep shot logs while shooting.

• Shoot to edit: leave extra room at beginning and end of each shot to trim later.

• Be brave: cut with abandon. Don't get attached to clips that don't further the specific project.

• To avoid jump cuts, vary shot angles and lengths as you are shooting.

• Use the best available tape formats when you are shooting and editing.

• Keep clips short whenever possible (6-10 seconds).

• Cut on the action.

• Avoid making edits in the middle of a sentence.

• Don't cut a scene too early; record past the end of a selected clip and then rewind to the new edit point.

• Split long videos into shorter segments.

• Keep your entire project short: It's kinder to the audience and easier to finish.

• Sequence shots to establish location: for example, establishing shot, medium, closeup.

• Never make more than three edits without reviewing them in context.

Tips on setting up gear

• Pack all new tapes (fast forward to the end, then rewind to the beginning).

• Use S-video cables whenever possible.

• Wrap cables with twist-ties to avoid workspace clutter.

Tips on transitions

• Use the basic cut in at least 90% of all edits.

• Use fancy transitions and effects sparingly.

• Fades or dissolves are useful for indicating elapsed time.

Tips on graphics

• Leave titles on screen long enough to read twice.

• Use graphics to underscore important points.

• Use large, thick letters.

• Choose titling fonts for readability.

• Don't use heavily saturated colors for titles or graphics.

Tips on audio

• If you have audio gain control on your record deck, set and check your audio levels on the record deck, not on the speakers or TV monitor.

• Use headphones or speakers to monitor audio.

• Use your computer's CD-ROM or a separate CD player to add music.

• Background music is a good way to spice up an otherwise dry video presentation.

• Use multiple audio tracks to add multiple sound layers to your video.

• Mix background audio (music, sound effects, etc.) slightly lower than you think you should.

Which shots to eliminate

• Shaky

• Poorly lit

• Badly framed

• Shot of your feet

• Wind noise

• Too many zooms, pans, tilts, etc.

• Extremely long camera moves

• Indecisive camera movements

Which shots to use

• Steady

• Good, clear audio

• Well composed

• Smooth

• Well lit

• Action

• Movement within the frame

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