Video editing is the arrangement of video shots. It is used to present and structure video information, which includes films and television shows, video advertisements and video essays.
Types of editing
Video editing involves cutting segments, re-sequencing clips, adding transitions and other effects.
Linear video editing – using video tape and edited in a liner way. Clips from different tapes are recorded to a single tape in the order that they will appear
Non-linear editing system – edited on computers with specialised software. Programmes such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro and Avid
Offline editing – the process where raw footage is copied from original source. It doesn’t affect the original stock or video tape. Once it has been done, the original is then re-assembled in the online editing stage
Online editing – reassembling the edit to a full resolution video after an offline edit has done and is in the final stage of video production
Vision mixing – working on line television and video production environments, it is used to cut live feed from several camera in real time
Background
The process of video editing is the editing of motion video production footage, special effects and sound recordings in the post-production process. A director can communicate using video for non-fictional and fictional events. The goal of editing is to manipulate these events to bring the communication closer to the original goal or target wanted.
Video tape recorders (VTR) were expensive in the early 1950s, the quality caused by copying was so good that it was edited by showing the track recorded with ferrofluid and cutting it with a razor blade or guillotine cutter and splicing with video tape. The pieces of tape joining the two pieces of film together were painted with a solution of fine iron filings suspended in carbon tetrachloride. This creates magnetic tracks, making them become visible when seen through a microscope so they can be aligned in a splicer.
Flying erase-head being invented and improvements in quality and economy allowed new audio and video material to be recorded over the material already recorded on the existing magnetic tape. This was introduced into the linear editing technique. If a scene needed to be changed in length, all other scenes after that would need to be recorded onto the video tape again in sequence. Through a vision mixer, sources could be played back, creating more complex transitions between scenes. In the 1970-80s, a popular system for doing this was the U-matic equipment. Two tape players and one tape recorder were used for the system, the edits were done automatically having the machines back up, then speed together in synchrony, making sure the edits didn’t roll or glitch. In the 1980-90s, the smaller beta equipment came, along with more complex controllers, some that did the synchronizing electronically.
There was a transitional analogue period using multiple source videocassette recorder (VCR)s with the EditDroid using LaserDisc players, but modern NLE systems edit video digitally captured onto a hard drive from an analog video or digital video source. The content is ingested and recorded natively with the appropriate codec that the editing software uses to process the footage.
High-definition video became popular and can be edited using the same software along with motion graphics programs. The clips are arranged on to a timeline, music tracks, titles, digital on-screen graphics are added, special effects can be crated, and the finished program is rendered into a finished video. The video can then be shared in a variety of ways including DVD, web streaming, QuickTime Movies, iPod, CD-ROM, or video tape.
Editing techniques
Standard Cut
The Standard Cut is the most common cut, it doesn’t really create any meaning or feelings, whereas others do. This puts two clips together, connecting the last frame of one and the beginning frame of the next.
Jump Cut
A Jump Cut pushes forward in time. It is typically done within the same frame or composition, many times it is used within montages.
Montage
A Montage signifies the passing of time or helps give an overall context to the story with quick cuts. It can be used for any transformation, whether that be showing athletes training or in a movie. They are normally underscored by music.
Cross Dissolve
This can have several purposes within a story. It can show a passage of time or it can use the overlapping “layers” or dissolves to show multiple stories or scenes happening at once, being shot at different times.
Wipe
Wipes are transitions used as animation which ‘wipes’ the first scene into the next. There are basic wipes and more complex ones. They can be cheesy, however can make a funny transition.
Fade In/Out
This is when one clip fades out and fades in to another. This tends to imply the passage of time, such as a night-to-day switch.
J or L Cut
J and L cuts got their names form how the clips line up in the editing software. An L cut is used if audio from clip A wants to be continued when clip B comes in. The J cut is the opposite, the audio from clip B comes in when clip A is still being seen. Documentaries tend to use these a lot.
Cutting on Action
This is when there is a cut at the point of action, this is used for example when someone kicks open a door, the audience expects to see the change in angle when the door is kicked, not after it has opened and swaying.
Cutaway Shots
A Cutaway shot is a shot that takes the viewer away from the main characters or action. Extra content is given and can create more tension.
Cross Cut / Parallel Editing
This is when a cut is made between two different scenes that are happening at the same time but in different places. It’s good for creating tension.
Match Cut
A Match Cut gives a context and continuity to the scene and pushes it in a certain direction, without confusing the audience. This is used to move between scenes or move around a space. A basic version of this is shooting someone opening a door from behind then cutting to the other side as they walk through.
Smash Cut
A Smash Cut is used if there is a loud scene that suddenly goes to a quiet scene or vice versa. It is wanted when two completely different scenes are being transitioned. An example is when someone wakes from a dream.
Invisible Cut
An invisible cut is keeping the shot looking like one continuous take. This can be made in different ways. One by filling the end of one frame entirely with something black or low-lit and blending it with the beginning of the next clip. Another way is by using a light leak or lens flare, or a foreground object to fill the frame and transition to the next clip or scene.
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