I have to agree with everything he said, and I would like to strongly emphasize when he said the needless use of flashy transitions. Just because you have 100 different transitions, doesn't mean you have to use every single one of them in 1 video. Stick with hard cuts, crossfades and quick dissolves for the majority of edits. Only use the fancy ones when neccesary, maybe one or two in a video. Another thing to mention that doesn't really relate to editing, but if you are going to be shooting video as well, get a good tripod, there is nothing worse than a video without one that jumps all over the place.

Such a topic is sure to have a wide range of opinions. Some things are more obvious and annoying than others but it vaires depending on the type of video, subject matter, your intended audience and so on.

For example if somone has their camera handy and happens to catch a disaster in progress you are more forgiving of rapid panning and zooming and a shakey camera, poor lighting and so on and you probably wouldn't change much if anything editing wise.

In no particular order: More pet peeves that hard and fast do's and don't...

People just starting out don't edit very well meaning the video that should have been ten minutes balloons into something that ends up being thirty minutes. Every scene should have a reason for being there. Just because its "cute" you shot it, so why not use it or it happens to be your dear Uncle Bob who said he going to remember you in his will, doesn't necessary mean in belongs in the finished video.

Over doing special effects. Same as above. Have a REASON for panning, zooming, doing a close up, etc., etc.. Less IS more. Especially annoying is zooming in real fast, then zooming out five seconds later, then zooming in again. STOP THAT! Nothing to due with editing, but more difficult to fix in the editing phase.

Use a tripod... PLEASE! Not always. When you need to.

Straight cuts are best. Simple fades when called for. Fancy transitions, rarely. Most starting out do it in reverse order. :-)

Keep it interesting. A video is a usually a story of one or more events. People don't read books that are boring, they switch channels on their TV when that's boring. They won't watch your video if its boring either, unless you force them to watch, then they won't like you much anymore.

Don't over do the special effects. Did I say that already? Well its important. Special effects aren't special anymore if you try to put them in every 30 seconds.

Balance. I've seen otherwise really good videos that were spoiled because the video portion was great while the audio was crap. Also the other way around. Just remember background music is called background music for a reason. Its suppose to be in the background.

Take the time to fix what can be fixed (audio quality, color balance, crisp editing etc..) but know when to stop. Over doing it can be just as bad as not paying attention. You'll know as you gain experience.

Ask somebody else that you can trust what they REALLY think about the video BEFORE you finish it, so if everyone but you thinks it sucks you can fix it. Better, ask several. Knowing when to listen to what they say and when to listen to yourself also comes with experience.

Enjoy what you're doing. Regardess if a hobby, a part time or full time thing you'll never really get really good if you don't like doing it. Simple lesson for life. Applies to everything. Like what you're doing, or do something else.

I'm out of here...

I was an editing newbie barely two years ago. Not a pro now by any means but I want to join in two things mentioned above: A LONG video is usually a painful video unless you were filming UFOs. I suggest looking over the video you have captured, then if time permits, walk away from it for about two weeks and let it sit there. Then come back to it and you'll be less possessive about what you have to cut out. (You can always make a secret really long video for yourself, for storage.)

Also, in the audio category, music is good, but be careful, very careful, about how loud it is, and where it has to be dropped to allow other sounds or voices speaking. Fortunately Vegas makes it easy to perform many such actions on sound.

I agree all the opinions.


First, shoot the video with a good camera and a good tripod. if you need to shoot handheld, make shure you stabilize the camera except if you want an special effect.

Avoid zooming, rezooming, panning and repanning. make a zoom or pan only when necessary. If you make a pan or zoom shoot several seconds after and before with a still shot, you can use this after with the pan, the zoom or the still, you can try. It's only a few seconds more but it's a good help on editing.

And remember..... editing is not a magician, it aids but is not the solution for a bad shooting.

Josaver.

Blondes. Lots of Blondes.

:->

Yup - All the above.

1 - Get good stuff in the can.

2 - Just becasue V4 CAN do it - DON'T do it!

3 - Less is More

4 - Attend a graphics or history of art course

5 - Don't be put off by what is said

6 - Follow your heart - BUT listen to your head too!

Above all else - KEEP ASKING THE SAME QUESTION you posted here - that'll get you through the nite - Believe me, the pros ask the same things of themselves - DAILY!!!

Best regards

Grazie - I'm outta here too!

Pick up The Little Digital Video Book by Michael Rubin. It's an excellent introduction to digital video and shooting/editing techniques. It's an easy read and has helped me shoot much better video.

I'd recommend "The Grammar of the Edit" from Focal Press. Designed for ANY kind of motion picture editing, be it 16mm, DV, HD, 35 mm or Super 8, whether it's done on a NLE, linear tape-to-tape, flatbed or Moviola.

Excellent primer on the basic rules.

On top of all the other, great tips this may sound silly, but watch a lot of movies and TV...

A lot of good stuff was trashed by audiences, just as a lot of trash was loved & hence overused. It doesn't do a bit of good if you do everything technically perfect, & no one will watch your work.

Also, when you're wearing your editing hat, you as your work should be invisible, but totally, absolutely needed. You enhance the story and the telling of the story, but until you put your shooter or director cap back on... Doesn't mean you don't make suggestions...