Episode 1 : CUT IT OUT

Starting out or need polishing your craft? We’re here to guide you with tips and tools topped with a dash of creativity.

Welcome to Cut It Out!, the very first issue of Shooting, In Action —which can be your ultimate guide to learning the basics of video editing! Whether you’re just stepping into the world of timelines and transitions or looking to refine your skills, this newsletter will give you tools, tips, and inspiration to create professional-quality edits. Make your projects STAND OUT!

Understanding Key Terms

Editing is a language, it has it own grammar, vocabulary, punctuations and structure. Whether you’re just starting out or already an experienced editor, understanding these terms can elevate your storytelling.

Here are some of the key editing terms; most of them paired with iconic examples from classic films by Stanley Kubrick, Christopher Nolan and Alfred Hitchcock.

1. Timeline, Magnetic Timeline and Rendering

• Timeline is the central workspace in editing software where you arrange and manipulate your video, audio, and effects to build the sequence
• Magnetic Timeline automatically snaps clips together, eliminating gaps in the sequence. This feature is particularly useful in software like Final Cut Pro X.
• Rendering processes raw edits, effects, and transitions into a final, viewable format.

2. Jump Cut is an abrupt transition between two shots, usually within the same scene, that creates a jarring effect, often speeding up time or making the audience feel unsettled.

Example: In Memento (2000), Christopher Nolan uses jump cuts to illustrate the fragmented memory of the protagonist, Leonard Shelby. The jarring cuts make the audience feel disoriented, mirroring Leonard’s struggle to piece together his past.

3. Match Cut transitions between two scenes with similar visual elements, creating a seamless flow from one moment to another.

Example: In 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Stanley Kubrick uses a famous match cut where a bone thrown into the air transforms into a spaceship orbiting a planet. The visual match is a symbol of mankind’s evolution from primitive tools to space exploration.

4. L-Cut occurs when the audio from the preceding scene carries over into the next shot, creating a smoother transition between two scenes.

Example: In The Prestige (2006), Christopher Nolan uses an L-Cut to transition between scenes when one character discusses the secrets of their magic tricks while showing the other preparing for the act. The overlapping sound draws the viewer’s attention to the conversation, even as the visuals change.

5. J-Cut is the opposite of an L-Cut. In this case, the audio from the next scene begins before the visual cut, preparing the audience for the transition.

Example: In Vertigo (1958), Alfred Hitchcock uses J-Cuts when the protagonist, Scottie, begins to follow Madeleine. As the visual moves toward a new scene, the sound of Scottie’s footsteps transitions into the next sequence, heightening the anticipation of what is to come.

6. Cross-Cutting, also known as parallel editing, is the technique of alternating between two or more scenes to create suspense, show simultaneous actions, or juxtapose different storylines.

Example: In Inception (2010), Nolan uses cross-cutting between dreams within dreams to show multiple layers of reality happening at the same time, adding intensity and complexity to the film's action scenes.

7. Layering refers to stacking multiple video, audio, or graphic elements in an editing timeline to create a rich, dynamic composition.

8. Montage is a series of short shots edited together to condense time, often used to show the passage of time or a sequence of actions that contribute to the overall narrative.

Example: In The Dark Knight (2008), Nolan uses a montage to show the increasing chaos in Gotham City as the Joker’s influence spreads. The rapid cuts of various criminal activities create a sense of urgency and growing danger.

9. Freeze Frame occurs when a shot is paused, often to emphasize a moment, highlight details, or evoke a sense of importance.

Example: In Memento (2000), Nolan uses freeze frames to emphasize crucial moments in Leonard’s journey. These still frames, accompanied by short descriptions, help the audience navigate the complex narrative structure and understand Leonard’s fragmented memory.

10. Fast and Slow Motion are techniques used to manipulate time, making actions appear faster or slower than normal

11. Colour Correction ensures that the colours in your footage are balanced and natural, creating consistency across scenes.

Example: In Inception (2010), Nolan uses precise colour correction to distinguish between the dream levels. The warm tones of the hotel differ from the cold, bluish hues of the snowy mountain, guiding the audience through the film’s complex narrative layers.

12. Compositing combines multiple visual elements into a single shot to create a cohesive image.

Example: In Vertigo (1958), Hitchcock employs compositing to create the iconic dream sequence where spirals and animated graphics blend with the character’s face, symbolising his spiralling obsession.

Last and also one of the most used terms...

13. A-Roll and B-Roll

• A-Roll refers to the primary footage, such as interviews or main scenes.
• B-Roll is secondary footage used to supplement or enhance the main visuals, such as cutaways or background shot. Effective use of B-Roll transports the viewer into the film world, thus making the film more believable.

Example:In Inception (2010), A-Roll features the characters planning the heist, while B-Roll includes shots of cityscapes folding onto themselves, adding context and visual intrigue to the narrative.

Beginners: Start incorporating these terms in your editing practice! Pick one editing term from today’s list and experiment with it in your next project.

Pros: Challenge yourself by combining these techniques to elevate your storytelling. Try cross-cutting with a J-Cut or match cut for a seamless, dynamic editing flow in your next masterpiece."

Keep It Neat: Master Your Editing Library

When it comes to video editing, organisation is everything. A cluttered workspace can quickly turn into a nightmare, leading to wasted time and missed opportunities. Whether you're working on a small personal project or a large-scale production, keeping your files organised is essential to a smooth editing process.

Why Organising Files is Crucial:

1. Time-Saving: The biggest advantage of an organised library is saving time. Searching for a specific clip or asset in a disorganised folder can eat up hours. When everything is properly labelled and categorised, you can quickly find what you need without skipping a beat.
2. Efficient Workflow: A clean, logical structure in your folders ensures you can focus on editing instead of hunting for files. Whether you’re working solo or collaborating with a team, a well-organised system makes the entire process smoother.
3. Minimising Errors: An organised library reduces the risk of mistakenly using the wrong version of a file or failing to locate an important asset. Keeping your files well-structured prevents mistakes and ensures that everyone is on the same page during the editing process.
4. Improved Collaboration: When working with a team, having a consistent and well-maintained library makes it easier for everyone involved to access the necessary files. This is crucial in large projects, where multiple editors, sound designers, and animators may need to access the same assets.

How to Organise Your Editing Files:

1. Create a Main Project Folder This should be your root folder. Inside it, create subfolders for each major aspect of the project. REMEMBER: CREATING ONE ON THE DESKTOP SEEMS TO BE MOST LUCRATIVE... BEWARE... For example, create a dump folder and also folders for Raw Footage, Audio, Sound Effects, PNGs and Graphics, Titles, Exports,and Backups.
2. Label Everything Clearly Name your files consistently and use clear, descriptive titles. For example, instead of "video1" name it "Interview_Maryam_Take1." This ensures you can quickly identify the content. Add version numbers if you’re dealing with multiple iterations.
3. Organise by Date or Scene For larger projects, especially narrative films or documentaries, organising by scene number or shoot date can be beneficial. This keeps your footage in chronological order, so you can easily track your progress.
4. Utilise Metadata and Tags Many editing software programs (like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve) allow you to use metadata or tags for assets. You can add keywords, colours, and descriptions to clips, making it easier to search and locate the right file when you need it.
5. Create Backup Folders Always maintain a backup of your project files and raw footage. Organise your backup folders the same way as your primary files, and keep your backups on an external hard drive or cloud storage for extra security.

A well-organised library not only makes the life of an editor easier in the present. It’s also a critical asset for future projects.

1. Future Proofing Your Work: When you’re ready to revisit a project months or years later, having a clear system in place will make it easier to pick up right where you left off. You'll have access to the original files, audio, and assets, and can work with your archived material effectively.
2. Building a Library for Future Use: Over time, you’ll accumulate a wealth of assets—stock footage, sound effects, music, graphics, and templates—that can be used in future projects. Having these in a dedicated library means you won’t have to start from scratch each time you begin a new project.

Beginners: Start simple: Create a basic folder structure and consistently label your files. This will pay off in the long run and help you stay on top of your projects.

Pros: Take your file organisation to the next level by implementing metadata tags and using advanced categorisation methods. Develop a robust library that will help streamline your workflow in future projects.

The Blade Tool

The blade tool is your gateway to precision. It allows you to split your clips and craft edits that flow smoothly. Mastering this tool will make you feel like a true pro. The blade tool (or razor tool/slice tool, depending on your software) allows you to cut video and audio clips in your timeline into smaller segments which is essential for removing unwanted sections or rearranging footage for a compelling story.

How to Use It:

1. Select the blade tool from your toolbar [shortcut: Press ‘C’ in Premiere Pro (PP) and '?B' in Final Cut Pro (FCP) ].
2. Click on the clip where you want to make the cut.
3. Switch back to the selection tool (shortcut: Press ‘V’ in PP and 'A' in FCP) to move or delete the cut segments.

Pro Tip: Use the zoom tool to closely inspect your timeline before making cuts. It ensures more precision and helps you avoid accidental errors.

***Holding down 'B' in FCP allows you to use the blade tool temporarily***

Beginners: Try using the blade tool on a practice project. Cut out unnecessary sections and see how it transforms your timeline!

Pros: Experiment with the blade tool in more advanced edits, like adding precision cuts to complex sequences. Challenge yourself to work with multiple clips and seamless transitions.

Editing in 60 Seconds: Smooth Transitions

Mastering transitions is key to making your edits smooth seamless! Here’s how to get started:

Tip 1: Stick to basics like cross-dissolve. It’s subtle and professional.

Tip 2: Avoid flashy transitions unless they fit your project’s tone. Simplicity often works best.

Tip 3: Use motion blur for dynamic transitions like zoom-ins or pans—it keeps them buttery smooth.

How to Use it:

In Premiere Pro, drag and drop an effect, say a "Cross Dissolve", from the Effects panel between two clips. Adjust the duration by dragging the edges of the transition.

"Create a smooth transition in your current project. Send us your results or post them online using #ShootingInAction!"

Top Tip: Control?5 is your FCP shortcut.

Beginners: Practice using simple transitions like cross-dissolve. Don’t overthink it—go ahead and add that first effect!

Pros: Go beyond cross-dissolves and experiment with keyframe transitions. Try combining motion graphics with sound design to create a unique editing style.

Takeaways!

1. Keep It Simple: Avoid using every transition in your software. Focus on clean cuts that tell a story.
2. Organise Your Files: Label your clips, audio, and sequences clearly. Chaos in your project files can lead to chaos in your edits!
3. Learn Shortcuts Early: Keyboard shortcuts will save you hours. Master the basics like cut (C), undo (Ctrl/Cmd + Z), and play/pause (Spacebar).

Remember, editing has its own language and your edits tell a story. Smoother the edits, clearer your message.

What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made while editing? Share your stories with us, tag us using #ShootingInAction and we will try our best to feature them in our next issue!