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THE GUIDE
part 18: edit like a pro
Congratulations! You finished your shoot and now it is time to move onto post-production.
First things first, if you have NEVER edited before, all is well, but we would highly recommend watching a few online tutorials for either...
iMovie for Mac
Moviemaker for Windows
...or...
Both programs are VERY user friendly, but the 10 to 20 minutes you spend watching a couple tutorials will save you hours in the long run. Remember, when in doubt, Google your question; someone has most likely written something about how to fix your exact problem.
EVN's Keys to Editing
before you begin...
#1 Get Organized
Once you have uploaded all your footage from your phone onto your computer via your editing program, peruse all your content and begin to organize it. This will help you to continue to clarify how you are going to craft your story and re-acclimate yourself with all available footage. If your software is sophisticated enough, make folders for different locations, sound bites, graphics, text, etc.
as you edit, remember...
#2 The Story
What story are you telling? Is your story that St Bede’s is full of ministries and good people? Is it that St Luke’s is an all inclusive and quirky community? Or, that All Saint’s is a contemplative space that is steeped in history? Hopefully, you have already made these decisions before you started shooting. Now you want to look through your footage and begin to choose which clips are going to best show off this story.
Have a sense of the timing and style for the piece. How do you want your story to flow? Does it have a pace that is more staccato or legato? Look back at those original pieces you chose to be your models. These will give you inspiration and a source to emulate for your own work.
#3 Timing
#4 Quick Cuts
Usually, you want to create a healthy balance of long and short cuts, but you will only have 2 to 3 minutes to show off your church. Choose your long cuts wisely. You are editing to create an effective tool of video evangelism, which is going to live in the wild world of the internet. This digital platform does not house the greatest levels of concentration, therfore it demands great skill from creators to compete for and attract millions of eyeballs. Quick cuts will facilitate eye movement through a quick and constant distribution of ideas and images, and hold your audience's attention.
#5 Transitions are Easy
“Fade to Black” is the one of the only transitions you can use and legitimately not look like a cable access program. Stay away from gimmicky transitions and fancy swipes. Your best option is to use no transition and just jump cut to your next clip. Watch any web video right now and you will see that this is the most popular. Check out a tutorial for transitions in iMovie or Moviemaker.
as your film takes shape, think about...
#6 Stillness and Movement
When you are editing, you want to have a rich collection of moving and still shots. For instance, your interviews might be still shots. However, your coverage of the church BBQ might include the camera literally moving throughout all the attendees. Choose clips that will allow a balance of both. It creates a diversity of action for the viewer.
#9 Feel It
Trust your Gut. If you think a clip is too long, shorten it. If it is too short, lengthen it. Your story- telling instincts will speak more loudly than any formal editing technique. Your ability to feel the movement of the story (Editing Key #3) will help you to trust your instincts and make the best decisions for the story.
#7 Simple Text
Stay on Brand. You will be given multiple options from your editing program. Pick a font that best represents the feel and look of your church. Keep it to a minimal. Deliver the pertinent information (name, title, quote) and make it readable. Here is a brief tutorial on implementing text into your video.
#8 Music and Cuts
The overall key to editing is telling a complete story and finding a “flow” to your project, and music is a major tool for an editor to create this flow and lead the viewer through your story. An R&B beat can match longer clips that are possibly placed in slow motion, creating a feeling of sentimentality and thoughtfulness. A fast paced dance beat can match short and fast clips, creating a feeling of excitement and fun. Here's a good tutorial on editing with music.
and never forget...
Get other eyes on it.
Before introducing your video to the world, start first with sending a closed group link to trustworthy parishioners and outside voices. Make sure some of those outside voices are non-church goers, even non-believers. Often, they have the greatest nose for inauthentic or ecclesiastical messaging. Make the changes where you and your team seem fit and then share one more time with your trusted sources.
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