Editing a video is not just about cutting and pasting clips together. It's also about creating a sense of progression that engages your audience and tells a story. How can you edit a video to create a sense of progression? Here are some tips and techniques to help you.
The first step to create a sense of progression is to choose your shots wisely. You want to use a variety of shots that show different angles, distances, and perspectives of your subject. This will help you establish the context, mood, and tone of your video. You can also use transitions, such as cuts, fades, wipes, and dissolves, to connect your shots and create a smooth flow.
The selection of shots plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative progression. Start with establishing shots to set the scene, then gradually introduce closer shots to reveal details and build intimacy with the subject matter. Ensure that each shot serves a purpose in advancing the storyline and contributing to the overall progression of the video.
O ideal é entender que cada plano desempenha um propósito narrativo, tendo isso em mente, como posso estabelecer uma ideia de progress?o narrativa? Você pode come?ar com planos de estabelecimento, ou seja, aquele plano que contextualize o público sobre tempo e lugar onde a história do seu vídeo será contada, logo em seguida você pode explorar planos mais detalhados apresentando os assuntos do seu vídeo.
We had been through 3 revisions and for me, the project had lost its spark. I thought the edit would be a breeze knowing how much I enjoyed shooting the video but my client kept turning down my edits... then it hit me and till date I have never repeated that mistake. "THOROUGH PLANNING". Before setting out to shoot the video, I had not thought through to the editing phase of the final cut and that was why i was facing this strong challenge with my dissatisfied clients. To effectively create a sense of progression when editing your video, you must first know clearly what the video is about. You must plan clearly with the end result in mind and not make the amateur mistake of getting carried away with the excitement of just the execution
Montages that show time. Morning, midday sun and dusk. Montage of time ticking, 8am, 12pm to 12 am. Movement or people growing old. Baby, child, teenager, adult, mid-life then elderly. Or even animals from seed to final form. There’s tons of ways to do it. ????♀?
This is a strange question, because I approach this in a very intuitive fashion. I started out as a writer, for many years working on my own stuff. And so, when I'm editing (on stuff I usually shot), I already have a clear picture in mind of how to proceed and build. So, that would be my advice; get clear about the story you're telling. Get clear about the structure of that story, and get really familiar with the source video, sound and music you have to work with. Start working. It may take you a few false starts to finally find the right approach and the right rhythm. Editing is not science - It's story telling/music/rhythm. If you are successful in making yourself FEEL the story, then chances are your audience will feel it too.
The rule of thirds is a basic principle of composition that helps you balance your shots and create visual interest. It divides your frame into nine equal parts, and suggests that you place your main subject or focal point along one of the lines or intersections. This will help you avoid centering your subject and create a sense of movement and direction in your video.
Sure, for me the rule of thirds can be helpful, but isn't it time we break free from this rigid composition rule and embrace more dynamic and unconventional framing techniques?
The rule of thirds is a fundamental principle of composition that can enhance the visual appeal and flow of your video. By aligning key elements along the imaginary gridlines and intersections, you can create balanced and dynamic compositions that guide the viewer's eye through the progression of the video.
Place key elements of interest, such as subjects or focal points, along these gridlines or at their intersections, known as “hotspots.” During editing, strategically frame shots to align with these gridlines, ensuring that important elements are positioned off-center for a more dynamic and visually appealing composition. As the video progresses, consider subtly shifting the placement of key elements within the frame to maintain viewer engagement and create a sense of movement or development. By consistently applying the rule of thirds throughout the editing process, you can effectively guide the viewer’s focus and create a visually cohesive narrative that conveys a sense of progression.
I hear people getting sort of didactic about this. Yes, framing is important. But this is usually something considered primarily in the principal photography stage. The director wants X or Y, and that's the shot. Your job as an editor is to reflect the director's vision. So, you'll heavily consider rules of composition and directionality to help you build and release tension, throughout a scene.
Divide your frame into nine parts, placing the main subject along lines or intersections to avoid centering, adding movement and direction to your video.
Music and sound effects can enhance your video and create a sense of progression by adding emotion, rhythm, and contrast. You can use music to set the mood, pace, and tone of your video, and to create tension, suspense, or relief. You can also use sound effects to emphasize important moments, create atmosphere, or add humor. However, be careful not to overuse or mismatch music and sound effects, as they can also distract or annoy your audience.
I remember working with a client who refused vehemently to pay for professional sound design for her project Client: "Frizzle there is no need for it" Me: created it and attached it anyway Client: "Frizzle this is great..Wow, I love it!" Me: ...So the budget is ... Client: "Ha Frizzle there is no budget for it oo" Me: (thinking to myself) Do I leave it in? Do I take it out? what would you have done? tell me in the comments
On l’oublie souvent mais le son et la musique en particulier sont une composante primordiale dans la création vidéo. Outre la musique, les effets sonores permettent de rajouter des intentions qui vont guider les émotions du spectateur. Il est important de savoir les utiliser à bon escient pour augmenter la qualité de la vidéo et embarquer notre audience. Ceci s’applique autant pour les films de cinéma que les vidéos corporate.
Music and sound effects are powerful tools for shaping the emotional tone and pace of a video. Choose music tracks that complement the mood and narrative arc of the video, using dynamics and tempo variations to reflect changes in tension or excitement. Incorporate sound effects to add depth and realism to the audio landscape, enhancing the viewer's immersion in the progression of the story.
Many will say sound is even more important than picture. I don't think that's really correct. It's really this: a good picture won't rescue or save bad sound. So curating the sounds, recording the sounds, mixing and mastering all becomes equally as important as picture color, etc. Music is a fine layer that can dominate and lead the narrative, or it can play a quieter more supporting role. Your creative choices will all be driven by context: what is the end product? What's it for? Is it a commercial, industrial, academic talk, or Hollywood blockbuster?
Elevate your video with music and sound effects for emotional impact, rhythm, and contrast. Set mood, pace, and tone with music; use sound effects for emphasis, atmosphere, or humor. Avoid overuse to prevent distraction or annoyance.
Text and graphics can help you communicate your message and create a sense of progression by adding information, context, or emphasis. You can use text to introduce your topic, explain your points, or summarize your conclusions. You can also use graphics to illustrate your data, show your process, or highlight your results. However, be careful not to clutter your video with too much text or graphics, as they can also confuse or overwhelm your audience.
Text and Graphics can be a great add-on, and even an essential part of your story. On WE ARE DESTROYED, my climate documentary, I often used text to highlight or explain some detail about what my interview subjects were saying... kind of like an active cross reference. So, in that instance I used text to help educate people. Your mileage may vary.
Text overlays and graphics can provide additional context, reinforce key points, and signal transitions within the video. Use text sparingly and strategically, ensuring that it complements rather than detracts from the visual imagery. Graphics such as arrows, diagrams, or animated elements can help clarify complex concepts or highlight important details, facilitating the viewer's understanding and engagement with the progression of the narrative.
Enhance your video's message and progression with text and graphics. Introduce topics, explain points, or summarize conclusions with text. Use graphics for data, processes, or results illustration. Avoid clutter to prevent confusion or overwhelm.
The speed and duration of your clips can affect the sense of progression and the impact of your video. You can use slow motion to draw attention, create drama, or show details. You can also use fast motion to show action, create energy, or compress time. You can also vary the duration of your clips to create rhythm, contrast, or emphasis. However, be careful not to use too much speed or duration changes, as they can also disrupt or bore your audience.
Experiment with the speed and duration of individual clips to control the pacing and rhythm of the video. Speeding up certain sequences can create a sense of urgency or excitement, while slowing down others can draw attention to important details or moments of reflection. Be mindful of maintaining a consistent overall tempo that supports the natural progression of the narrative without feeling rushed or dragged out.
By strategically varying the speed of certain clips or segments, you can create emphasis, build tension, or convey a sense of urgency. For example, speeding up footage during action sequences can heighten excitement, while slowing down during poignant moments can evoke emotion and draw attention to important details. Additionally, manipulating the duration of shots allows you to control the timing of scene transitions, ensuring smooth continuity and guiding the viewer through the narrative with a natural flow.
Manipulate clip speed and duration to impact your video's progression. Slow motion for emphasis, drama, or detail; fast motion for action, energy, or time compression. Vary durations for rhythm, contrast, or emphasis, but avoid excess changes to prevent disruption or boredom.
The final step to create a sense of progression is to review and refine your video. You want to make sure that your video has a clear beginning, middle, and end, and that it follows a logical and coherent structure. You also want to check that your video has a consistent style, quality, and tone, and that it matches your purpose and audience. You can also ask for feedback from others and make adjustments accordingly.
Take the time to review the edited footage and make refinements as needed. Pay attention to the pacing, flow, and continuity of the video, trimming unnecessary footage and smoothing transitions between scenes. Consider seeking feedback from others to gain fresh perspectives on how effectively the video conveys its sense of progression and engages the viewer's attention.
Conclude your video creation process by reviewing and refining. Ensure a clear beginning, middle, and end with a logical structure. Confirm consistent style, quality, and tone, aligned with your purpose and audience. Seek feedback for further adjustments.
Consistency in visual style and color grading throughout the video helps to create a cohesive and polished look. Smooth transitions between scenes, such as crossfades or match cuts, can maintain continuity and enhance the overall flow of the narrative. Incorporating storytelling elements, such as character development, plot twists, or thematic motifs, can deepen the viewer's emotional investment in the progression of the video.
Visual perception: the eye registers movement first. Then depending on the framing - form, colour, size, texture, and depth. We scan top left and follow an image in a Z-order, if we are talking about a still image/photo. All these should be taken into account when creating a montage.