How can you create a cinematic and dramatic video with high production value?

Story is key in filmmaking. A good story is what all other aspects of Filmmaking stands on. Understanding the story helps the video editor during the editing process. A good editor is a good storyteller, if you cannot tell good stories, then all the good shots taken by the cinematographer is of no use

"What do you want to say, and how do you want to say it?" These 2 questions must lead the way every single time. Now, sometimes the how comes first: an image, a scene, a line. Sometimes, the theme emerges before anything as a concept you want to explore. Regardless, if the goal is to create something of value, it must be true to you. Sure, you might be telling the classic hero's tale or taking a turn at a tried and true rom-com, but only YOU can tell it how YOU can tell it. No one else has had your life experience; now, you can share that with the world. Be specific as you answer those two questions, and deciding your theme and genre will take care of itself.

I think of editing my rushes as being like starting a sculpture, with a big hunk of clay. You're gradually whittling away to get a rough shape, until you're honing the fine detail. Cutting a film requires micro and macro focus. You need to be zoomed out to see the narrative arc and also be able to focus on detailed, technical task-work. And creative nuance is everything - for both visual and audio. The edit is my favourite part of making a film.

I’ve always loved drawing inspiration from a different genre than my project is in. Using angles, lighting, colour, music and overall flavour from something totally different always gives the project a much livelier feel. I once did a doc series for a college football team and needed an idea for a cold open. I deep dove into sports docs and notice they all look the same - long shots, tripods, that weird nostalgia/traditional thing all football docs try to do. Boring. I decided to draw inspo from my #1 movie - the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan. Shakey camera, off axis framing - not a tripod in sight. Probably one of my favourite projects to date and had so much fun editing it. Draw inspo from totally different genres!

As a director, editor and screenwriter of art films and some commercial work, I tend to combine my writing with a view to editing. A script will help the editing be more efficient. In any case the editor is the last stop in the chain of storytelling and needs to facilitate or create a visual language through which the screen story is told. If starting from a script that language can be embedded, and finessed by the editor. If material is shot without constructing a visual language then the editor has free rein to discover one that is peculiar to the story he or he and the director is telling. In cinema storytelling visual language is the vehicle that propels the audience into and through the story.

Whenever I edit, I prioritize organizing my video files first before anything else, that way I know where all my files are. My selection process is done with labelling. I use the label feature to label different shots in different colors.

Whenever you edit, make sure to use your best shots. Poor shots can make a great video dull and great shorts can make a poor video seem great! I generally compile my shots on the basis of their quality and then incorporate the best ones in the edit. That's the recipe of a great quality edited video!

When dealing with a ton of footage, I personally prefer to work w/ sequences vs bins. I create sequences in stages. The first sequence is an all raw footage string. I label 1_RawFootage. Then I duplicate that sequence and call it 2_PulledSelects. I pull footage (with in/out points) for consideration up to the 2nd video track. Copying and pasting the Pulled selects, I create a 3rd broll string called 3_BestSelects. I use 'close gap' to get rid the gaps in between clips. I now have a manageable sequence of the best clips ready to use quickly. If need be, I can dip back down to 2_PulledSequence for more. Time spent in organization is well worth the effort!! You'll know the clips well and be able to make last min changes swiftly.

A strong organizational workflow is the key to selecting your best shots. I’ve personally found that using some form of markers or color coding tend to work the best. Another good practice is to really spend time watching your footage before you begin the edit. It sounds obvious, but you’ll be surprised how much of the footage you have memorized when you need to find a specific phrase or a supporting shot for an edit.

Video production and editing excellence hinges on the meticulous selection of shots from raw footage. Opt for shots aligned with your theme, genre, and plot to captivate your audience. Showcase characters and maintain visual interest with compelling compositions. Utilize features like markers and ratings to identify and emphasize your standout shots. Crafting a visually engaging narrative is an art, each frame should always contribute to telling the story and message you want to convey.

Get. It. On. The. Time. Line. For years, I would pull a single scene into the timeline and tweak, tweak, tweak until I thought it was perfect. I learned the hard way that by the time I'd perfected a handful of scenes, I'd run out of time to deliver the edit. Putting EVERYTHING on the timeline, as rough and ragged as it might be, gives you a holistic view of the entire project. And let you see things you might not have been able to had you only focused on the minutiae from the get-go. It won't be good, mind you, the first time you throw it all up there for you to see. But if you can stomach it, I promise you it will change your game.

Once the rough cut is done, I walk away and give it some time. Sometimes an hour, sometimes a day. It depends on your schedule and the length of the piece. On longer documentaries, after I've cut a few scenes together, I leave them and come back to them later. It allows me to see them from a fresher perspective to make sure my creative decisions are sound. Sometimes on an intense edit we can literally become blind to certain parts. For me, a break and fresh eyes are key.

A rough cut, at least for me, is the Best way to know if your timeline works. You can start fixing times, moving shots from one place to another or deleting them definetely. Another thing that works for me is adding colour labels to the shots, so I can move easily through the timeline and find everything

Don't be afraid of having a long rough cut and trimming it down little by little. It's not a race so take the time you need to carve out your final video. I often see it happen that people want to go from rough cut to final cut within 1 edit and they end up trimming it down so much that they don't just remove the fat but cut all the way into the bone. This then leaves the story missing crucial points which then have to be added back in afterwards. Try to imagine you're carving a sculpture and make sure each cut is deliberate and necessary.

Social media contents, event recaps, music videos and commercials have shorter deadlines in comparison with a feature or a short film, so practically there is no chance for "just a preliminary version" with no color grading, no music and no graphic elements. You work on the final edit immediately and then you just need to do minor corrections, according to the client instructions. When you work regularly with a client, you already know what graphic elements must be included immediately in the 1st edit. but in some cases you must include the animated texts, logos from the 2nd edit, depending of the client. Besides, I recommend to set a 2-free-editing-corrections limit and from the 3rd one you start to charge an additional fee.

Only once you have a compelling nailed down on your timeline should you consider transitions and effects. Without that, your piece will be all show and no substance. If you're happy with the story you're telling though, this is where you have the chance to establish an identity for your piece. This can be through subtle visual motifs, key framed animations, colour... a whole litany of tools are at your fingertips to help your story stand out from the rest. It's a very powerful tool, it can easily lead you down a rabbit hole of curiosity and feasibility. Something important to remember is that, just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Don't overdo it with effects as this can distract from the story you've crafted.

While adding transitions and effects keep in mind that "Less is More" Make sure that the transitions and effects are aligned with your story and visions. Try different transitions and effects to see what works best for your video. It's not necessary to put a transitions or effects after every 5 seconds. But it's crucial to add these into your video to make sure your audience is engaged with your video.

If you are telling a dramatic/cinematic story, adding digital transition can easily take out the flow. It will have a significant impact on viewer's attention. Instead you can work with the cinematographer with a seamless camera transition. Using real life movements. People tend to use transition when they don't really have an option to transfer from scene to scene. Never try to cover up with transition, work with writer/director on ending the scene properly.

Sometimes transitions, if done incorrectly, can distract from the story and totally ruin your piece. If you are unsure, use simple fades between shots and simple titles - let your story do the talking.

Adding transitions and sound effects to your video is as essential as water is to a fish. Absolutely, transitions and sound effects play a crucial role in enhancing the overall impact of a video. They contribute significantly to the flow, rhythm, and emotional resonance of the content, making the viewing experience more engaging and immersive.

Video is half audio. So keep in mind that your audio shouldn't be compromised. While shooting videos, try recording your audio with an external mic for better quality. Make sure to add relevant music according to your theme and genre to make more sense. You can not add a horror background music to a romantic video. You can make your videos cinematic by adding relevant sound effects e.g Wave, water, surfing, cruise sound to a Beach video.

To create a cinematic and dramatic video with high production value: -Develop a compelling script. -Plan meticulously, including storyboarding. -Invest in quality equipment and a skilled crew. -Focus on lighting, composition, and camera movement during filming. -Pay attention to sound quality and design. -Edit and color grade professionally. -Use music and sound to enhance the mood. -Promote and distribute strategically. -Seek feedback and iterate. -Ensure legal considerations are met.

Is your audience likely to watch to video with audio? Then make sure that your sound design supports the action and that the dialog is still clear. If the video is also likely to be viewed without sound, then make sure to review it with the sound muted to make sure that the editing still makes sense. For example: If you have a flickering effect or black frames matched to the beat of the music, it may appear strange to the non-audio viewer and can even look like editing mistakes.

Personally, I choose the music first before putting together the clips. Syncing is a must for a music video, Like how we try to match each beats with the clips, But a normal video is not far apart. Even if it is a slow ambient music in the background, understand its tempo to get a flow for the clips. when you understand the importance of audio sync, even while editing a silent scene, you will have a tone in your mind.

Think through the audio before you shoot. Audio is often overlooked since film is considered a visual medium, but having an idea of what sounds you want and where can inform how you frame your shots. Stock sounds are easy to find and fit into your narrative. Use them wisely.

THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART!! You need to make sure that nothing exported incorrectly, like lower thirds, graphics, effects, etc. Too often clients are sent projects with glaring accidents that would've been caught if someone had reviewed. I once saw a project exported and POSTED to YouTube with the "warp stabilizer" banner still on the video, and that's embarrassing! It shows a lack of care and a lack of knowledge on the producer's side. Simply watching the video a few times after exporting ensures that clients are getting the absolute best out of you.

Take a break after exporting and reviewing before reviewing and probably exporting the video again. If you have been working on the video for hours, the chances are you will become blind to some of your own mistakes and not even notice them no matter how often you rewatch it. Go for a walk, go to sleep, leave it for a day... Be sure that you are rested and watch the video with a fresh pair of eyes and you will be amazed how much you overlooked in your first review phase.

Depois de montar todo seu filme, seu vídeo, tome um tempo para você, desligue sua mente do material, tome um suco, ou até mesmo um bom café... Depois disso assista o material, como se fosse a primeira vez que está vendo aquelas cenas, assista como um espectador novo, e lá pela terceira ou quarta vez, comece a buscar pontos de melhora! N?o se cobre tanto, mas n?o seja desleixado com o seu trabalho!

In the realm of video production, it's essential to recognize the critical role that audio plays in shaping the final product. The "Achilles heel" aplies to the final product. "Without a good audio, the content isn't going to be very attractive" Imagine crafting a visually stunning video with meticulous attention to detail, only to have the viewer's experience compromised by it's inconsistent sound levels, subpar audio can significantly detract from the overall impact of a video. Invest time to capture high-quality sound of ambience or voice moments with specific mics...an shotgun or a lapel mic. Try to fortifying the video editor's Achilles' heel, prioritizing audio excellence and deliver a final product that captivates audience.

Get as many eyes on your work as you can. Rewatch from different perspectives. Pick your work apart, especially in your early work. I probably watch a project 2 or 3 dozen times before I have someone watch it. Watching it with an audience also helps, you pick up things you missed a lot easier.

As a self funded filmmaker, I measure production value by what I have available for my production that will provide the most impactful experience for the audience, in the finished product. Usually for me, living in a natural wilderness, I tend to explore and emphasize my locations. If I had access to a Train, or an abandoned factory, I would be making different films. So make sure you're using what you have, if what you have happens to have exploitable intrinsic value.

A huge priority in creating high quality projects is planning and communication before production begins. What is the story, theme, and potential message? What kind of shots and lighting might we need? What do we want the audience to feel while watching? As well as practical organization so the team can stay on task while we work. Proper planning can really make a production soar!

The answer to this question is simple: Spend a lot of money. If you don't have a lot of money, spend a lot of time. My question is, if you don't have a lot of money, or a lot of time, why are you doing this? Why are trying to market something as high end, high key, high production worthy, if that product, person, or service, can't actually attain to that level? The question video producers need to ask more is "how can the production value better align with the story I'm telling?" - that's what real quality is, not some hyper-salient "cinematic" aesthetic.

After settling on a good story and nice style frames... "Pacing" is the unsung hero of any visual narrative. It's the rhythm that dictates how the audience feels, the tension that builds, and the moments that explode. While it originated in 2D animation, its principles are universally applicable to any visual medium, including 3D motion graphics. Then the Icing on the cake - Seamless transitions!!!

If you have a good story to tell, you are halfway there. The rest is just delivering that story using good artistic and technical methods. There are so many facets to the process that it is usually best to bring in some experts (a crew) to collaborate.