Make videos that your friends and family will want to watch using these basic editing techniques.
You’ve shot some videos and photos of a family or friend get-together. You’ve followed the first steps of video creation by getting good footage in the first place. But once you have your shots and clips, what do you do next? How can you combine your content into a package your friends and family will enjoy watching? That’s where video editing software comes in.
The tips below can help get you started on the journey toward creating pleasing, shareable videos. Here you can learn how to go beyond simply trimming and joining clips by organizing them into a compelling story and adding both visual and audio flair with transitions, effects, and soundtracks. While you won’t be releasing Cannes-worthy movies right away, you might be surprised at how easy it is to make a video that will impress your friends and family.1. Choose the Right Software
The software that’s right for you and your video editing project depends on your level of experience, the time you want to invest, how much you’re willing to spend, what platform you plan to use (mobile or desktop, Android or iOS, macOS or Windows), and how much you want to tinker with tools and effects.
The three main categories are:
Some apps, such as Adobe Rush, iMovie, and PowerDirector are available on multiple platforms.
The simplest option is to use the software that comes with your operating system. If you’re a beginner who just wants to knock something out quickly, use ClipChamp in Windows or iMovie on Apple devices. On Android and ChromeOS, Google Photos can do basic trimming, joining, and adding background music. Even if you use a more complex app, many of them include an “instant movie” type feature. These can be fun to try, but you’re almost always better off creating your movie yourself.
If you want to go beyond simple template-based editing, you can try enthusiast-centric programs like Premiere Elements, Corel VideoStudio, Pinnacle Studio, or CyberLink PowerDirector. If you want detailed control and advanced features and have professional video editing ambitions, consider a pro-level application like Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, or DaVinci Resolve, though these have a much steeper learning curve than the entry- and consumer-level apps.2. Choose the Right Format
Your final video will have an audience, and how your audience will watch the video matters. If the people you expect to send the video to will view it on their smartphones, then you should use a vertical format. If they’re going to watch on a computer or TV screen, horizontal videos are what you want. It’s preferable to think about this at the shooting phase, but you can work around during the editing phase. Most software has tools for reformatting from horizontal to vertical and vice versa, but you’ll always create a better viewer experience by having the correct orientation at shooting time.
Another aspect of the format is the resolution, frame rate, codec, and container file format. Most video editing software largely spares you the details, letting you change it on output, but some programs require you to specify the format at the start. Use a format that matches your audience’s needs—don’t use a format they can’t view or a resolution that’s too big or too small. Good rules of thumb are to export to MP4—the most widely supported format—and use 720p for mobile viewing; choose the resolution of the monitor or TV your viewers will be using, e.g., 1080p for full HD and 2160p for 4K TVs.
