Cut It Up!
Hey Filmmakers,
It’s time to cut loose! Editing your film is one of the really exciting parts, it’s the first time you get to sit down and actually SEE what you’ve been working on.
They say a film is remade three times, when you write, when you film and when you edit, so seize the opportunity to have fun with your footage! Maybe you’ll change the timeline of the story, use music to completely change the characters mood or otherwise use cuts and transitions to change the pacing.
Here’s our top tips!
Top Tips
Ask for help
Don’t have all the equipment or know-how to dive straight into editing? No worries! Find a friend or adult with a top knotch computer and some tech know-how. Chances are, they’ll have at least a clue about editing software and how to use it. Plus, a fresh pair of eyes on the project never hurts. YouTube tutorials are your best friend.
Play with pacing
Remember that the short shots and quick cuts will speed up the film and create an energetic vibe, while longer shots and fading transitions will chill things out. Audiences will respond best when you use a bit of both across your film! A nice rule to keep in mind is to make cuts based on the beat of the music or at pauses when people speak.
Storage Wars
Hard drives and memory cards can fail from time to time. If it’s important, keep a copy of it in a separate location. It’s always best to keep a copy of your project on your computer and on a separate hard drive somewhere else.
Take a break
Make sure you give yourself enough time to step back from editing for a day or two. Fussing over a second here or there until your eyes go square isn’t helping, so go get outside and forget all about it for a little while. You’ll come back and find figuring out the problem a lot easier.
Less is more!
Let’s say you’ve gotten all excited in your editing, adding in quick cuts and sound effects galore – hold on there Edgar Wright, let’s slow things down a little bit! If frenetic and crazy is the vibe you’re aiming for, go wild! But if it’s not, remember that one or two well placed effects will affect your audience in a more meaningful way.
Give yourself time
Leaving your edit to the last minute or pulling an all-nighter can be super stressful. Chances are you’ll end up over-stressed, under-inspired and left with a gnarly headache. Invest as much in editing as you did writing and shooting. You’ll thank yourself in the end!