What are the best practices for using the timeline in video editing software?

Before diving into the editing process, it's essential to organize your assets systematically. This includes naming your files logically, creating folders for different types of media (such as video clips, audio files, and graphics), and arranging them in a way that makes sense for your project. By keeping everything tidy and well-structured, you'll spend less time searching for specific elements and more time focusing on the creative aspects of editing.

La organización de activos es un paso crítico en el proceso de animación y edición que a menudo se subestima, pero su importancia no puede ser exagerada. Al comenzar con una estructura lógica y coherente para tus archivos y recursos, estableces una base sólida para un flujo de trabajo eficiente y efectivo. Para mi es una inversión en la eficiencia y calidad del proyecto de animación. Adoptar buenos hábitos desde el principio puede marcar la diferencia en la facilidad de edición, la calidad del trabajo final y la satisfacción general en el proceso creativo. En resumen…cuesta al principio pero vale 100% el esfuerzo y si un cliente requiere los project files, te puede salvar la vida!

according to my experiences: - first of all you should keep it clean by naming layers, grouping or composing layers, color assignments and so on - Second, you should learn or define enough shortcuts to do any command/ action with just 1 or 2 clicks and don`t stuck in menus or panels searching them. Being quick is always a professional plus. - Third, Adding markers is always a great help to adjust the frames and layers based on pivots and synopsis. You don`t really need to review each sequence frame by frame every time. - Finally, always check to make sure if every thing is synced correctly before moving to render qeue. It will save time.

before any edit you need to be well organized with your assets, otherwise you will lose time looking for the content instead of building your video, so following the cinema you can organise your folders with either the goal of the video, the actions in it and of course by type of files that will help you build your video in a more straight forward manner

Before assembling a rough cut, I usually make iterative selects on the footage. This process reduces decision fatigue and allows me to focus on whether a clip is usable or not: 1 - (Timeline1)* Add all clips to Track1 2 - (Timeline1) Watch and move selects up to Track2 3 - Duplicate Timeline1 and name it Timeline2 4 - (Timeline2) Delete the clips on Track1 5 - (Timeline2) Move Track2 clips down to Track1 6 - (Timeline2) Close gaps between clips 7 - Repeat steps 2 to 6 on Timeline2 * Timeline1 and Timeline2 are placeholders for "current" and "next" iterations. My timeline names are usually "RAW-Footage" -> "Selects-01" -> ... "Selects-N" This is a "non-destructive" way to trim your footage and ensure you're using the best shots.

Shortcuts are a must. Working without them is an efficiency killer. You can also use a Streamdeck to boost even further your workflow adding automation and macros to your workflow to help you out being extra productive! Markers are also a really efficient way along again color codes to add extra notes and don’t forget things later on!

Learning and utilizing keyboard shortcuts can significantly speed up your editing workflow. Whether it's cutting, trimming, adding effects, or navigating through the timeline, keyboard shortcuts allow you to perform tasks more efficiently than using the mouse alone. Additionally, using markers to highlight key points in your timeline, such as important moments or areas that need further attention, helps you stay organized and focused during the editing process.

Along with this, I would recommend to get a keyboard shortcut cover. This will help you memorize the shortcuts while also giving you a sense of what is available.

Il est impératif d'apprendre petit à petit les raccourcis clavier de son logiciel de montage. Le gain de temps est considérable. La plupart des logiciel professionnels permettent une personnalisation des raccourcis clavier pour les adapter à vos besoins principaux. Les marqueurs, quant à eux on de multiples utilités. Ils peuvent servir à marquer les temps forts, aussi bien sur le rythme d'une musique que sur un rush vidéo. Vous pouvez aussi vous en servir, avec différents couleurs, pour vous rappeler les choses à changer ou corriger sur votre montage.

Starting to use an editing program knowing the most useful shortcuts will allow any professional to increase their production. From there, with continued use it is advisable to learn new shortcuts and not lose sight of them to learn new ones every day. Depending on the project, the timeline panel can become confusing and delay production if it is not organized effectively. Following an organizational system based on labels, layer order, clip names, and bookmarks can eliminate all frustrations. If you are working with multiple screens it is a good idea to unpin the timeline panel (if the editor allows it) and use it on another screen with as much space as possible.

Precision is key when it comes to editing video. Take the time to trim your clips accurately, removing any unnecessary footage or dead space to maintain a smooth and cohesive flow. Use tools like the razor tool or trimming handles to make precise cuts, and pay attention to details such as audio levels and pacing to ensure a polished final product.

For improved creativity and efficiency make sure to learn as many keyboard shortcuts as possible, over time they just become muscle memory and you don’t even think about them, giving your creative mind a lot more freedom during productions to try new things.

Use markers for beat cuts, Watch movies and music videos for the understanding of correct cuts, I also suggest watching some tutorials about directing and story telling, A good practice for that can be editing a movie differently ? Like watching it , cuting the footages so you will have a different movie. This will help you to understand how editing is important and the impact of it on the scenario.

Editing isn't only important for the final clip. Speaking as a 3d artist, I have great benefit in workflow when i create an animatic of my animation first and then edit it roughly in a first step. So i can go back in the 3d app and shave the trimmed parts of my sequence and have less frames to render and so it's saving rendertimes too.

Una de las claves que destaca un buen trabajo de animación o edición de video de uno mediocre es el manejo de los ritmos visuales y sonoros. La correcta sincronización con los efectos de sonido, música y capas de nuestro video es fundamental para que una pieza audiovisual atraiga al espectador. Pero también es fundamental que el ritmo visual sea atrapante, una buena pieza audiovisual debe manejar los tiempos del estimulo visual para no abrumar ni aburrir al espectador. Es necesario pensar cuidadosamente cada uno de los cortes y transiciones a veces modificando frame por frame cada uno hasta lograr el resultado optimo.

Make sure to do proper creative direction before adding transitions. Only use transitions that add to the storyline and help with the theme of the video. Overutilizing them will be jarring and seem amateurish, unless you are editing a music video.

I'm very old school about transitions, I prefer smooth and simple animations better than very prominent ones. Just creating clean cuts helps to understand the piece without distracting. The best transition is the one no one notices!

Transitions and effects can add visual interest and help tie your video together seamlessly. Experiment with different types of transitions, such as cuts, fades, and wipes, to find the ones that best suit your project's style and tone. Likewise, explore the various effects available in your editing software, such as color grading, filters, and motion graphics, to enhance the overall look and feel of your video.

Transitions ensure a smooth flow between clips, enhancing narrative and maintaining viewer engagement. Visual effects add appeal, evoke emotions, and contribute to a professional look. Both transitions and effects allow for creative expression, brand recognition, and control over the pacing and focus of the video, resulting in a polished and impactful final product.

In my perspective, transitions and effects play a vital role in animation editing, helping to maintain continuity, enhance mood, and guide the audience's focus throughout the narrative. However, it's crucial to exercise restraint and avoid excessive use of flashy transitions and effects, as they can distract from the storytelling and diminish the overall impact. By using transitions and effects sparingly and purposefully, editors can create a polished final product that effectively conveys their creative vision while keeping the audience engaged. Additionally, experimenting with different combinations and customizations allows editors to add a personal touch and elevate the quality of their work.

As i said earlier, use markers for cuts exactly on beats , This will take the emotion to another level, Use the audio rhythm for your video pace and mood, Practice by editing the same video from scratch with another music / audio, So you will understand the importance of the audio. A great editor is able to be flexible when needed so you can get along with the expectations and changes of the client.

A music-synchronized animation is always captivating. A crucial aspect when dealing with clients and companies is to search for a soundtrack and obtain final client approval even before starting production. The challenge of altering the soundtrack of an animation that has been meticulously synchronized and built around it is something best avoided.

Proper synchronization of audio and video is essential for maintaining coherence and professionalism in your final product. Make sure that your audio tracks align perfectly with your video footage, adjusting timing and levels as needed. Use tools like waveform visualization and audio meters to ensure that your audio is clear, balanced, and synchronized with the visuals.

La buena sincronización es indispensable en un video profesional, sobre todo si se está haciendo una secuencia a diferentes cámaras. En Adobe Premiere Pro, recomiendo una herramienta increíble para sincronizar audio de diferentes cámaras y grabación externa de sonido. Red Giant - PluralEyes: Funciona como una extensión o como software externo, donde puedes sincronizar con un solo click decenas de clips de video / audio Para que funcione de forma correcta, hay que tener una buena gestión y orden en los archivos

For the best results in editing video always start with your music/audio files. Synching edits, transitions, FX, Text and logos are easiest to time out when you use the waveform and the "peaks & valleys".

Find someone, if you can to share your work with and get some constructive feedback. If you work with a team, share it with them and make it part of your process. You'll get feedback you hadn't even considered. When you've been staring at the same thing for hours or days, it's easy to get stuck in the same creative decisions or miss things even after you've reviewed it yourself 10 times. It's also helpful, if time allows to step away from the project and come back to it to spark some fresh ideas.

Before finalizing your video, take the time to review it thoroughly from start to finish. Look for any errors, inconsistencies, or areas that could be improved, and make the necessary adjustments. Once you're satisfied with the result, choose the appropriate export settings for your intended platform or audience, ensuring that your video looks its best when shared or published.

I’ve definitely found that using the keyboard shortcut ‘page up/down’ and ‘shift +page-up/down’ to shift through the timeline frames individually, or at 10 frames at a time, keeps it fresh in my mind how many frames I’m working with and helps to streamline all my motion, animation and editing processes

After hours of assembling and cutting clips, perhaps focusing on the narrative or visual language, review is the perfect time to really pay attention to the details as well as the overall impact. Take a short break, get a drink, go outside and do something else, so you can come back to it with fresh eyes. It's at this point you might notice that animated overlays fail to exit the stage fully before you cut, or that the timing of cuts, transitions or key-frames could have aligned better with the tempo or beat of background music but don't. All kinds of things stand out when you give yourself a fresh brain in the review stage, giving you the opportunity to turn a great video into an amazing one.

I follow a multi-step process to review my work. I believe in conducting multiple passes, each dedicated to a specific aspect. For instance, one pass involves focusing solely on the audio, even closing my eyes to fully immerse myself in the sound. Another pass is dedicated to scrutinizing the title sequences, ensuring their quality and coherence. I also dedicate a pass to identify any color inconsistencies and make adjustments to any cuts if necessary. Additionally, if time permits, I find it beneficial to take a break and come back later for a fresh perspective. Sometimes, when I am deeply engrossed in the editing or animation process, I may overlook certain issues that require a fix.

Simplifying the wholesome Analyze Prioritize Systemize Utilize (APSU) Analyze - Understand the requirements, Plan the color grading, Music or Score, Length, Label all the scenes and assets Prioritize - A video or clip always has a story. Do discover and set the sequence accordingly, set music or score and color grade. Experiment to check if it looks good like storyboarding. Systemize - Once set, slice or trim and sync the sequences, arrage the score to dramatize. Remove unwanted ones. [Imp: Do not break the flow, a simple miss can ruin the whole work]. Utilize - Here comes the final experiment of color grading and finalizing the length of the movie clip or video, start to end. Keep reviewing it in a loop for betterment.

Hoy en día los formatos de videos y pantallas son muy variados y los animadores y editores debemos tener en cuenta esta diversidad a la hora de exportar un video. Siempre recomiendo a mis alumnos exportar el video y volver a verlo en varias pantallas distintas como celular, tablet o tv para verificar que la lectura de todos los gráficos y placas y colores se vean correctamente en la mayor cantidad de dispositivos electrónicos posibles.

Always use the source media to drag and cut the videos, don't creat a mess in your timeline. This will help you with a clean timeline and also use the key shortcuts to manage cuts and dragging timeline.

Nail the pre production and don’t spread your crew too think if you can help it! Have a solid shoot schedule and over allocate time where you can. Then have a super comprehensive storyboard and shot list which will make capturing all your footage straightforward, and feed into smoothly assembling the first edit!

24 frames per second (erase extra frames) keep story board to guide you scene by scene. Take time creating interesting shots the composition and structure of elements, the lighting sources, so not only its accurate and the eye can navigate but it communicates. Name your files, organize elements by scenes, save often, render by scene or cluster of scenes. Production timeline with help with editing time.