1. Austin Filmmaker’s Sandbox
Editing 101
Austin Filmmaker’s Sandbox

2. Preparing to edit – Step 1
Label and sort all of your files
Label files with title of the piece, shot number and take
Include a way to determine which camera it was shot with if more than one camera was used
UG3_1a_3_cam2
Title your audio files with the same naming convention to make it easier to match up files while editing
Sort files by creating a folder system that makes sense for you
Create files for both usable and unusable footage, audio files, special FX (audio), music & titles/credits
Create a file for blooper reel footage you may come across as you edit
As you label and review footage sort accordingly to thin out the number of usable files you have to deal with for your edit
Don’t be afraid to move files to the unusable footage folder, you need to thin the herd
Once everything is labeled, make a copy your files on an SD card or external drive as backup

3. Preparing to edit – Step 2
Select the files you plan to edit with
After everything is labeled, sorted and thinned out, you should review all of your usable files and decide which takes you want to edit with
Look for takes that have the best sound, lighting, camera work and acting – it’s up to you to decide what to compromise on
Recommendation: Do NOT pick and choose an actors lines from one take of the same angle to another (i.e. I liked the way she said line A in take one and line B in take 2 so I will use both)
Certainly, there are times where you can make this work and there may be times when it is necessary, BUT in general pick a take a stick with it because continuity can becomes very tricky as can keeping track of numerous takes in your editing program
As a new editor, keep it simple – especially in the beginning

4. Preparing to edit – Steps 3 & 4
Create a new project in Premiere
Name your file with title of project, scene & version: UG_CoffeeShop_Ep3_v1
Identify audio import settings to enable separate tracks
Save a new version each time you edit
Import your chosen video and audio files
Create files within your project to help keep organized and uncluttered (footage, audio, SFX, titles/credits)
Only import files for the scene you are working on
NOTE: Edit your project in scenes or it will be overwhelming – you can merge them later

5. Public service announcement
Always use a slate!
Makes manually synching audio extremely easy
Makes labeling your files extremely easy because you can read the slate
Don’t waste time listening to poor camera audio and irrelevant chatter to hear the call outs
Forces you to keep track of what take you are on and call out the scene info
It’s a good habit – real film makers use a slate

6. Preparing to edit – Step 5
Synch video with audio and delete camera audio
You may want to synch all your files at once or do it on the fly depending on how many files you will be working with
NOTE: Do not move your source files around once you start editing – the editing software won’t know where to find them
Yes, you can redirect the software to where the file has been moved, but it’s easier not to mess with it (in case of emergency, no reason to panic – the software will prompt you to redirect it if it can’t find the source file)
Just another reason why creating a file system that works for you is a must do!
There is software out there that auto synch for you, but it is good to learn how to synch manually
Sometimes, during editing, a clip make become out of synch because it gets nudged it and you will need to resynch it on the fly (practice makes perfect)
You may want to overlap the audio from one angle over the video from a different angle and synching skills come in handy here too
It’s just not that hard to synch (when you use a slate)

7. Editing Basics Choosing a workspace, closing / undocking windows
Linking files
Basic splicing
Continuity
Video layers, clip stretching, delete ripple
Applying effects & transitions, black video
Inserting stills
Simple audio adjustments & color correction
Quick render
Exporting

8. Parting words of wisdom
Have fun & play around!
If you think the software should be able to do something it probably can
Poke around and look at the menus – see what’s in there
Be curious and test transitions, effects, etc
Don’t be afraid to cut lines, or trim out dead air (or create dead air) – it is your job to set the pace and tell the story – even if you wrote the piece be open to seeing where the momentum has been slowed or where information has become unnecessary or possible redundant
Use Google - there are tons of instructional videos out there that will walk you through how to do something step by step
Practice – even if it’s not a real project just get in there with any footage and mess around
Be patient – editing can be very tedious but finding a way to make something work is a huge reward
Ask others to look at you work for feedback on timing, effects, chosen angles, etc
Editing will make you a better director – you will realize what shots you missed, what you have too much of, what works / does not work, how to better direct your actors, what to worry about regarding continuity, and it will improve your sense of timing