Start Editing Video Like a Pro

Video editing is no longer a practice reserved for the Hollywood pros or the affluent few among us. Basically, if you have a PC, you can edit video. Just how into it you get is all up to you. The good news is that no matter what level of editing prowess you wish to aspire to, you will be able to find software that fits your needs. “And just what can I edit”, you ask? Well, the answer is simple, anything and everything. It will, however, depend on your willingness to learn, your patience for trial and error, and just a little natural ability.

Before you get started, you need to ask yourself this question. “What exactly am I looking to do?” Do you want to make movie-quality video for professional use? Are you looking to edit for online video sharing? Maybe you just want to work on some home movies to play at the next family gathering? Questions like these are important to ask yourself as they will guide you toward the software and equipment best suiting your needs. In other words, if you are looking to make DVD slideshows of family pictures, you’re not going to need a $500 software suite just because it can do X, Y, and Z when all you really need is X.

Once you have gained an understanding of what you are looking to accomplish, it’s time to examine the many software options available. Choosing the right one is a lot easier than it looks. There are, in fact, plenty of options available that provide an enormous bang for the buck.

The first title we should talk about is one that you probably already have, but don’t even know it. If you are a Windows XP user, you have a little program called Windows Movie Maker. You can find it via the “Start/All Programs” menu. Calling this a “little” program is really a mistake on my part.

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The reality is that it’s a fairly powerful video editing tool, and most likely all the editing software the majority of you will ever need. It features a large assortment of video and title effects, and the workspace is very user-friendly. Movie Maker will allow you to work with a large selection of video formats including the popular MPEG, AVI, and WMA. From importing your video, sounds and music, and pictures, to the editing storyboard, it makes movie-making an almost effortless process. This is especially true for the novice editor.

You won’t find any advanced editing controls like working with multiple layers and such, but if you want to do basic operations like adding music to a video clip or home movie, the Windows Movie Maker is really all you may need. At any rate, it is a great way to gain experience at editing. Even if you have your sights set on editing at a higher level, it’s always best to learn to crawl before you walk.

As we move down the line from the Windows Movie Maker, the forest starts to get a bit thicker, so to speak, as the number of software options available gets larger. Selecting the appropriate software is almost a skill in itself. My personal preference is Sony’s Vegas line. They seem to have narrowed the field to three distinct tracks; the casual user, the hardcore user, and the professional. The line consists of Vegas Movie Studio, Vegas Movie Studio Platinum, and the big enchilada itself, Vegas. Priced low to high, the Vegas series runs $89.95, $119.95, and $524.96, respectively.

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Each version comes with an unbelievable array of controls and effects. And do not be fooled. The $89 version is extremely powerful. It doesn’t allow for things like importing custom effects, but if you feel that you need to step up from Windows Movie Maker, but you aren’t looking to get into producing ultra-high-quality videos, Vegas Movie Studio is the way to go. It also includes training tutorials and a very nice help system to get you acclimated to the new environment.

Probably the best part about the three Vegas titles aside from what they can actually do is that each version is available for “Try Before You Buy” download. You can simply download the version you’re interested in, install it, and take it for a spin. This is so much better than shelling out a bunch of money on something only to find out later that it’s not to your liking. This way, you get to try things on to make sure they fit before heading home from the store.

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Another area that, in my opinion, Vegas shines brighter than most other editing software is during that all important time when you have compiled your video, and are looking to burn it to media. Most editing software out there right now have some function for getting your project burned to either CD or DVD. The Vegas titles all come with a really cool DVD burning program that allow you to create a DVD complete with menus, sound options, and most things you would expect to find on a movie-quality DVD. It’s an easy to use point-and-click interface, and supports burning in all DVD formats.

Now, Vegas is just my personal software preference, and is not the “be all, end all” for editing software. There are many titles out there by just as many different developers. Pinnacle Studio is one of the more popular software titles on the market, and may have features more in step with your needs. Adobe Premier and Power Director are two more that come to mind. The best thing you can do is research the subject yourself. Use sites like Techlore and Cnet. Ask questions on message boards. Get an idea from people who have the knowledge.

What’s great about the Internet is you have an immense knowledge bank that you can tap into anytime you want. All you need is a little patience and the ability to ask a question or two, and you can easily find the most suitable software for you to use, as well as a lot of “insider” tips on how to use it.

When it comes to the way you actually use your software, it is entirely up to you. There really is no right or wrong way to edit your videos. The best way to learn is through trial and error. There is plenty of downloadable video content floating around on the Internet for you to practice on. If you have DVD ripping software, you can even work with footage from your favorite movies. One great way to generate ideas for your work is to look at the work of others. You will be surprised at just how often the inspiration bug can bite when you view other peoples’ work. You may come across a new way of using a transition, or learn how to apply an effect in a new way. The easiest way to check out thousands of mostly home-edited work is through either Youtube or Google Video.

Editing video can be much more than what your first idea of it may be. It can literally turn into a full-blown hobby very fast. You may want to publish a video blog, or maybe you’ll get into making “PrOn” videos (these are videos that take footage of something and put it to music with the goal of the editor being that the video flows with the music). Maybe you’d just like to spice-up your home movies, or maybe you’re even thinking about taking it to the professional level and do it as a business. No matter what you want to do, just know that the most important ingredient to successful video editing is your own imagination. If you’re having fun doing it, you’re definitely doing it right.

Helpful Links
http://ww.youtube.com
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/p...
http://videoediting.digitalmedianet.c...
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/us...
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite...
http://www.hermanstreet.com/store/sma...

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