It doesn't matter what editing tool you are using to edit your videos. You need to understand the fundamental video editing techniques to help your project stand out from the crowd.
Here are 7 video editing techniques to turn any video clip from mediocre to perfect.
Standard cut
The standard cut is the fundamental start to your video editing journey. It is the cut between two clips that are next to each other. In simple words, it adds a continuation to the previous cut but from a different angle.
The standard cut determines the end of one action and the beginning of the other one. You can add this during a scene or between a switch from one scene to another. You can achieve this cut by importing the video clips into the editor and trimming the required segment.
An online video editor can help to accomplish these needs. Standard cuts are perfect for videos where you need to convey basic information in a structured yet straightforward way without any flare or fuss. So, if you are editing a corporate or commercial video, then standard cut is your perfect choice.
Jump Cut
If you want to tie all your video clips together, a jump cut is a must. In simple words, a jump cut is used to cut a single shot ahead of its time. A jump cut is effective in showcasing a shift in time. If you are looking for fast and entertaining ways to keep your audience engaged, the jump cut is the right choice for your video clip. It is a simple technique. Pick a long video clip (long take), cut it up so that your characters can jump around at the appropriate time. Comedies and videos posted on YouTube have ingrained the jump cut into the audience's subconscious mind as an effective way to speed up certain scenes.
Since it is obvious and noticeable, a jump cut is not commonly used in television or film. It is only used for comedic segments in television since the purpose of the jump cut is to get noticed.
Montage
If you want to showcase a passage of time in your videos, then you can use montage as an editing technique in your clip. A montage is a series of clips to depict a change in time, person, or location. It is usually used to give a brief of the story without going into too much detail by using fast-paced, quick cuts.
The montage is used in some of the most popular action films, comedies, and even horror movies. Using a montage is the smoothest way to show the passage of time and character development. There are several ways to create a montage. Unlike the jump cut, which is based on location and scene, the montage is based on a sequence.
Cross-cutting
Cross-cutting is used to depict two sequences at different locations, occurring at the same time. Although it looks challenging, cross-cutting is the best technique for telling two stories simultaneously. It is a video editing technique based on switching back and forth between scenes. Since the two narratives are playing out simultaneously, you can cut between both. The technique shows one character doing something and then cuts to another character doing something else in a different location or setting, and then again cuts back to the first character. However, it can be difficult to perfect the time clock between the two narratives. The aim is to build suspense and create a sense of curiosity by leaving a cliffhanger between the two narratives.
Cross-cutting needs meticulous planning. If you are planning to execute a cross-cut, make sure that you assemble both the edits first and then edit the compiled sequences together.
Match-cut
You can use a match-cut to use an element from the previous clip and transition to the next one. The proceeding clip is completely different from the previous one most of the time.
You can give your viewer the surprise of the next take before they have even realized what just happened. In simple words, you cut the scene before it wholly ends and put another character or another place in the next take. In this way, you can control where and how your audience's eyes should move. However, it is not used often as it demands careful editing. To incorporate it in a visual, implement it with sound.
Cutting on action
Cutting on action is a type of video editing technique where you cut one take from another angle while smoothly matching the first take's action. To execute this technique, you will need to cut in the middle of a character performing some scene, moving, running, turning their hand, or swinging a baseball bat. The edit will be invisible to the audience's eye and is the perfect way to take the audience's attention from one shot to another. Before you implement this technique, make sure that you have enough shot coverage, including close, wide and medium shots.
Cutaways
Cutaways are used to cut away a shot to something else while suspending a continuously filmed sequence. It is used more as a filler to provide background information about a character's surroundings. Cutaways can be close-ups, wides, or medium shots.
Try Different Techniques
To conclude, before you decide which video editing techniques you want to use in your video, make sure that you have clarity on how you want your final take to look. Try different techniques and experiment to understand what works best for you. Make sure that you practise these techniques to get a clear understanding of how you can use them.
January 2022
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