Many editors aren’t even aware of their bad habits that cause some editing mistakes. So we’re here to warn you about 5 bad editing habits you might be making.
Mistake 1: Holding a scene too long
You may be editing the most beautiful scene your eyes have ever seen and want to keep as much of it as you can. However, an unnecessarily long scene could wreck your project’s pace and rhythm.
Mistake 2: Not cutting when there’s dialogue
Similar to holding a scene too long, some editors let the dialogue roll and not cut away from who is talking. The first problem with this is it drags the scene on and on. Not everything needs to be included. The second problem is that it probably isn’t the best way to tell your story. Sometimes it’s better to cut away from the person talking and show something else to further the plot.
Mistake 3: Trying to make motion graphics when you have no experience doing so
Not every editor is an amazing motion graphics artist. When motion graphics are created by someone who doesn’t have the skills of a motion graphics designer, they stick out like a sore thumb. We aren’t saying you shouldn’t try and make your own motion graphics. After all, the only way you can get better is to practice. However, when you are working on a job and need to deliver a polished project, it’s sometimes more efficient to outsource.
Mistake 4: Not correcting your audio
We get it. Not everyone is an audio engineer. But you still need to correct your audio. Otherwise, your audio levels will be all over the place and ruin your project.
Mistake 5: Not changing your workflow or equipment to accommodate your footage
Technology is always being improved. For instance, cameras are always being improved, which leads to new video formats offering higher resolutions. This change can be a problem if you don’t adjust your workflow or equipment to accommodate that higher bitrate or larger file size.
Bad habits are hard to break, but the first step to breaking them is realizing you have them. We hope that we’ve opened your eyes and have helped you get on the path to correcting your bad editing habits. If you want a closer look at breaking these 5 habits, check out “5 Editing Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re Making”
Image courtesy unsplash.com
