The future of internet content is video without any doubt. It is increasingly noticeable in search engines, which are constantly updated giving preferences to this format over text and image . But why is it happening? simply because this audiovisual medium greatly improves the user experience . It does not mean that others will disappear, but it is clear that the preference of Internet users for this type of content.
Just look at the growing development of platforms like YouTube , which is already the second most searched search engine on the network, or Vimeo . The data reflects that the video surpasses virtually all other content formats. Not only for being easier and more entertaining to consume, but also for its versatility in almost every way. That is why everyone who wants to succeed in the digital world, must learn to exploit it to the fullest .
If you want to know how to edit a video, in this guide will show you step by step everything you need to know about it ; from what is a video editor to what are the best effects and tools you can use in these.
Index:
What is it and how can we use a video editor and audiovisual content?
A video editor is software that allows you to create, edit and mount audiovisual material . There are for all levels; from basic programs with simple functions and easy-to-use interfaces, to more powerful ones that require certain editing and assembly skills to fully exploit them.
Using them is quite simple. You just have to open the editor you have and import the video you want to improve. In addition, you can also use several clips to create a new one that is original , even mix them with all kinds of digital sounds.
The curious thing about this format is that you don’t need a recording camera to create one. You can use static images and display one after the other accompanied by music and voiceover to create valuable audiovisual material . The really important thing here is the content itself and the way in which you structure it so that the user on duty understands it perfectly, the message is the important thing.
What are the most used and useful effects in video editing?
Video editor programs and applications have a wide range of special effects that you can apply to your videos to make them more dynamic and entertaining. There are all kinds of effects; some very easy to use and others that require more expertise to do so. Here we mention which are the most interesting to create audiovisuals of great value at a professional level.
Slow Motion
This is the slow motion effect that we have known for years. It is based on reducing the reproduction speed of the frames so that the image goes more slowly, thus allowing each movement of the protagonists to be better appreciated. Depending on how it is used, this effect can generate drama, tension or even emotion, sometimes humor .
For example, if you use it just before an important event or action occurs in a scene, it will be as if you paralyze the spectator’s heart, keeping it in suspense until what is happening has finished happening and then take your breath back when The video will play again at normal speed. If what happens is good, this will generate a real explosion of emotions , while if something happens you may be surprised, shocked or with a bitter taste.
Using it cunningly, this effect can be one of your best weapons to play with the emotions of the video consumer . Therefore, it is generally available in all video editors, from the most basic to the professional.
Fast Motion
This is the opposite effect to the previous one. This is to accelerate the playback speed of each frame to make the image play faster . This can be done both ways; that the video advances or goes back to a previous scene. It is generally used to give the feeling that time is passing.
In fact, there is a type of video called time lapse that generates precisely that feeling. Although it can be thought that this generates ecstasy in the user, the truth is that it generates quite calm since people see how the hours advance quickly until it stops right at the desired scene. Although this basically depends on the music that accompanies ; if it is soft it will generate calm, while if it is moved it may generate anxiety.
Masks type «Snapchat»
This is a new effect that was first implemented in the Snapchat application. It’s about putting a mask or sticker on the face of the protagonist or the characters of the video . Currently, many social media applications have this “filter” with different themes, making the character have a dog’s face, cat’s eyes and a long etcetera.
To do this in editing programs it is necessary that it has a facial identifier for the mask to be applied automatically. Otherwise, it will have to be applied frame by frame individually to get it, which is available to people with extensive knowledge of editing.
Dispersion effect
Dispersion is an effect that causes a solid object to disperse and appear as if it disintegrates or explodes . It is generally used in photography, but it can also be done on video. It can be considered a special effect since to apply it you have to have extensive knowledge of editing, although it depends on the program being used. If it is a powerful enough one, it can do so automatically if desired, although not in specific subjects.
Split screen
This effect is about dividing the screen into two, three or more parts so that in each of them a different clip of the video is played. It is generally used in video tutorials because it allows a specific point to be explained in greater detail, or to show the same event from different angles.
For example, in a guitar tutorial video, it is very useful since you can divide the screen into two parts to show the strumming and fingerings in each one, so that they can be better appreciated than focusing the whole shot.
Perform entradillas
Making entradillas is one of the most useful elements to give personality to a video. If you have a YouTube channel, this will be your best weapon to start creating brand recognition . This is a clip of about 30 seconds that serves to present an audiovisual. Best of all, you do not need to be a great expert to create your personalized entrance, just an image that you put into motion and some music to do it, it will be your business card and everyone will recognize your videos as soon as they start.
Zoom Effect
This effect can be done both in an editor and when recording the scene. It is based on making a zoom in or out of an object or subject of the video . There are two variations of this; zoom in and zoom out. The first zooms in on the image, while the second zooms it out. Not to be confused with traveling in and traveling out , which are camera movements that can only be applied at the time of recording.
Infinite loop (GIF images)
The infinite loop is about taking a video clip and having it start again to create a loop that never ends . This will be repeated eternally the times the video is played.
These types of files are known as GIFs and can be easily created in a video editor. You just have to select the part of the video you want to play and at the time of exporting it you select the mentioned format. For this to be possible, it is necessary that the chosen fragment is not very long, usually lasting between 5 and 15 seconds.
Transitions
Transitions are that minimum period of time that passes from one shot to another . They are thousandths of a second, but in the editors they can be customized to create a more dynamic transition , and most have libraries full of them that the user can use at will between each scene.
Although they are usually very useful, it is convenient not to use them in excess since they can negatively affect the overall composition of the video. It is advisable to use it between scenes and not between shots within them.
Special effects
Special effects are a very broad term, but the truth is that can only be applied by professionals since each audiovisual work uses its own special effects , having to create them from scratch. These effects may vary depending on what is needed in each scene. The best known are:
- Make a character fly.
- Make a character release some power from his hands.
- Make an object move without anyone touching it.
- Distort space (as in the movie The Origin)
- Create fantasy scenarios.
Actually, you could make a mega post talking about all the special effects that can be created. The reality is that all are extremely complex to execute and professional knowledge is needed to do it . The first time you could see extremely realistic special effects was in the first Star Wars movie, no doubt a masterpiece ahead of its time.
What are the best applications and programs for editing videos? span >
Being able to apply these effects or not depends on the knowledge that the producer has, but especially on the power of the program or application to edit video that we have. There are publishers for all platforms and here are the best ones.
For YouTube videos
If what you want is make and edit videos for youtube you may not need a very powerful editor. This platform is not very demanding in that regard, so any of the following programs would help you:
Filmora Wondershare
An intermediate level editor very easy to use by those who are not experts in the world of audiovisual editing. It has everything you need to make good videos for YouTube ; a wide variety of effects and transitions, library of images and royalty-free music, functions to improve the audio, among others that will be very useful. You can export your videos in 1080p quality .
Adobe Premiere Clip
This is an Android version of the popular Adobe professional video editor. It is not as powerful as the original but will allow you to make interesting edits thanks to its multiple functions . In addition to the basic tools, you can record audio in real time to perform dubbing and export everything in 1080p quality.
Lightworks
An advanced editor with basic functions and other very powerful ones that will allow you to make professional level editions. While it is necessary to have extensive editing knowledge to exploit it to the fullest , once you master it you will be able to produce authentic works of art. It has support to mount videos in 4K quality and export in all existing formats.
For Instagram
The popularity of the video is so great that it begins to be noticed even on photo-sharing platforms such as Instagram. In this social network you can share videos of 1 minute on your profile or some longer in the stories. To do this you can use editors like:
Filmora Go
This is the Android version of the editor that we mentioned in the previous section. It has the particularity that before starting to edit you can indicate that what you do is an edition for Instagram, so that you do not exceed the time allowed on the platform. Its interface is easy to use and you can export everything you edit in 720p quality and in multiple formats.
VideoShop
A simple editor for Android that, like the previous one, can be adjusted to make the video with the duration it will allow for Instagram. In addition to the basic functions that integrate this type of applications, you can add effects to your audiovisuals and share them from their interface once you finish producing them.
iMovie
This is the basic Apple editor that is on all your devices, from iPhone and iPad , to MacOS computers. It does not have many functions to show off, but it has what you need to make a good edition quickly and easily.
Online and free editors
If you don’t want to download anything to start editing, you’ll like to know that you have several online alternatives to do it . However, do not expect much from these as they do not have very powerful functions. Some of the best are without a doubt:
PowToon
This is a platform that allows you to make animations quickly. You can use the clips stored in your database to make short videos of good quality. It is an ideal option to make original video entradillas .
WeVideo
This is a slightly better platform. In addition to having the basic functions of an editor, has a large bank of images and royalty-free music that you can use without problems to create interesting audiovisual works.
