Sign up now and get a free Tip Sheet for Videographers!

Video Editing Tips and Techniques

You have hours of footage and its time to perfect your masterpiece. Fortunately, today there are great inexpensive editing tools and fast computers that will make your editing job much easier then it was in the past. Our video editor's explain the principles of good editing and will guide you through the editing process. Learn how to work with a time line and keep everything in perspective.

Master the art of controlling the pace of your video to keep your viewers on the edge of their seats. Adding in mood music and sound effects can fill your viewers with emotion. Clever editing can make the difference between an average video and a brilliant one. Great video editing takes time. Your viewers will appreciate the time you invest in editing your video.

  • Editing Software Buyer's Guide 2008Editing Software Buyer's Guide 2008
    July, 2008
    by Heath McKnight
    Finding the right tool to edit your masterpieces
  • ViewfinderViewfinder
    June, 2008
    by Matthew York
    How Easy Can It Get?
  • Editing: Polished WorkEditing: Polished Work
    April, 2008
    by Morgan Paar
    From rough cut to finished product, you want to deliver the goods as cleanly as possible. Here are the Seven Steps to Creating an Excellent Polished Work.
  • Tutorial: Transitioning NaturallyTutorial: Transitioning Naturally
    March, 2008
    by Peter John Ross
    Every blockbuster movie has hundreds or even thousands of edits, yet the viewer often is unaware of the cut. Why? In many cases, the change is very subtle, using a technique which is often known as a Natural Transition.
  • The Craft of Family History Videos: Making Classics Out of ClutterThe Craft of Family History Videos: Making Classics Out of Clutter
    December, 2007
    by Jeanne Rawlings
    We treasure our memories, but we can be easily overwhelmed. Fearlessly dive into your archives and uncap your camera lens for the holidays to create a video that will stand the test of time.
  • Timeline: Cookin' with KeyframesTimeline: Cookin' with Keyframes
    September, 2007
    by Morgan Paar
    Cookin' with Keyframes
  • Director's Chair: Back to Film SchoolDirector's Chair: Back to Film School
    August, 2007
    by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D
    Watching films is a classroom in itself, yet you really have to have the right tools to become a critical viewer.
  • Charity VideoCharity Video
    August, 2007
    by Brian Schaller
    For aspiring video producers, it's always hard to find some interesting subject matter. Are you looking for an audience?
  • Video Editing: What is Multicam Editing?Video Editing: What is Multicam Editing?
    July, 2007
    by Morgan Paar
    Shooting performances or group discussions is difficult using one video camera, but it can be a nightmare with several cameras and without good planning.
  • Multicam ShootingMulticam Shooting
    July, 2007
    by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
    Whether it's shooting a wedding, baseball game, church service or two-person interview, shooting it with more than one camera can be a time-saving and very creative endeavor.
  • Video Editing : Plan A: B-rollVideo Editing : Plan A: B-roll
    June, 2007
    by Morgan Paar
  • Timeline: Time ControlTimeline: Time Control
    April, 2007
    by Morgan Paar
    As editors, we are in control of the time universe. We can stretch it, shorten it, and even change Fate by manipulatiing time.
  • Quick FocusQuick Focus
    April, 2007
    by Jennifer O'Rourke
    Videomaker Presents: Vidcasting!
  • Director's Chair: Everyday MasterpiecesDirector's Chair: Everyday Masterpieces
    December, 2006
    by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D
    December - a time of cold and perhaps snow. A few weeks of quiet time before the onrush of the holiday season.
  • Basic Training: Editing 101Basic Training: Editing 101
    December, 2006
    by Kyle Cassidy
    "Leave it on the cutting room floor" is an old film phrase signifying to edit out stuff you don't need. It's a good reminder to cut down your piece for a tighter final project.
  • Stock Footage Buyer's GuideStock Footage Buyer's Guide
    December, 2006
    by Julia Camenisch
    Something Borrowed, Something New
  • Video Editing : MPEG-4 Mysteries RevealedVideo Editing : MPEG-4 Mysteries Revealed
    November, 2006
    by Morgan Paar
    Is your head drowning in acronyms such as MPEG-4, MPEG-2, H.264, 3GPP and the like? Well, we're going to throw you an MPEG-4 life ring and see if we can get you back in the boat.
  • Video Editing : The Ghosts of Edits yet to BeVideo Editing : The Ghosts of Edits yet to Be
    October, 2006
    by Bill Davis
    Time to dim the lights and tell ghost stories. Our Editorial Department demonstrates some techniques on putting some spook into your videos.
  • Video Editing : To Page Curl or to Cut?Video Editing : To Page Curl or to Cut?
    June, 2006
    by Bill Davis
    Sure, your editing program has 999 transitions--but nowhere in the licensing agreement did you oblige yourself to use each and every one of them.
  • Video Editing : Making the Most from OuttakesVideo Editing : Making the Most from Outtakes
    February, 2006
    by Bill Davis
    (gales of laughter erupt on the set.) CUT! Somebody PLEASE help Jimmy untangle the rope from his foot, re-stack all those bottles of motor oil and, somebody wash off the cat... again.
  • Video Editing : The Kindest Cut of AllVideo Editing : The Kindest Cut of All
    November, 2005
    by Bill Davis
    In the beginning, there was the cut. The usual editing conventions dictate that most of your transitions should be cuts. Let's step away from the transitions palette for a while.
  • Cracking the Video Time CodeCracking the Video Time Code
    July, 2005
    by Pat Bailey
    Unraveling the perplexity and complexity of using video time code.
  • Edit The Plan: Part 3 of Production PlanningEdit The Plan: Part 3 of Production Planning
    June, 2005
    by Jim Stinson
    Planning for post-production will re-focus your vision of the program you want and then help you create it with the material you've got.
  • Basic Training: What were you THINKING?!Basic Training: What were you THINKING?!
    May, 2005
    by Jennifer O'Rourke
    Have you ever wanted to wrestle a camcorder away from Uncle Buck while at a
  • Video Editing : Family Time: Cutting the AlbumVideo Editing : Family Time: Cutting the Album
    May, 2005
    by Bill Davis
    Leave the emotions at the door, and let the long shots fall to the edit room floor, and you'll create a family album masterpiece that even strangers will admire.
  • Basic Training: 11 Steps to Add Some Spice to Your VideoBasic Training: 11 Steps to Add Some Spice to Your Video
    February, 2005
    by Kyle Cassidy
    Give some pizzazz to your videos with a few simple techniques.
  • Home Video Hints: Holiday Videos that Rock!Home Video Hints: Holiday Videos that Rock!
    December, 2004
    by Jim Stinson
    A quick and easy recipe for capturing family memories.
  • Video Editing: Fear and Logging in Your EditorVideo Editing: Fear and Logging in Your Editor
    December, 2004
    by Bill Davis
    Log your shots today to save edit time tomorrow and your well-organized project will thank you in the end.
  • Video Editing: Welcome to Splitsville, Baby!Video Editing: Welcome to Splitsville, Baby!
    November, 2004
    by Bill Davis
    The split edit is one of the simplest and most powerful edits you should have in your toolbox.
  • Kindergarten Yearbook VideosKindergarten Yearbook Videos
    September, 2004
    by George F. Young
    A little planning, your expertise and your camera can turn into a career or at least a little cash when you create a video yearbook.

Submit your favorite video tips, techniques and products reviews.