Best video editing guidelines and steps

VIDEO EDITING GUIDELINES

Log and Label your Shots
You can pay me now or you can pay me later. It will take a little time to log and label all your
shots in the beginning, but it will pay off in the long run.
Use a topic and descriptor for each shot, i.e. Capitol Front, Med, Pan R Common
Descriptors:
• Wide
• MW (Medium Wide)
• Med (Medium)
• C/U (Close)
• XC (Extreme Close up)
• Pan R
• Pan L
• Tilt Up
• Tilt Down
• Zoom In
• Zoom Out
• Low (Low Angle)
• High (High Angle)
• C/A (Cut Away)
• 2 Shot
• Rev (Reverse Angle)




Tell a Story With Your Video
The same way you would construct a story with words, construct your video with building
blocks to develop the visual story.

• Each Frame is a Word
• Each Shot is s Sentence
• Each Sequence is a Paragraph
• Multiple Sequences make a Chapter

, Choose the Best Footage
It may sound a little silly, but be selective.

It is common to shoot more footage than you actually need and choose only the best material for
the final edit. Often you will shoot several versions (takes) of a shot and then choose the best one
when editing.

If a shot it too shaky, don’t use it.

If it’s out of focus, don’t use it.




Develop Your Sequences
A basic sequence might be:

• Wide Shot
• Medium Shot
• Close Up
• Extreme Close Up
• Cut Away/Transition Shot
• Repeat

But you could just as easily do:

• Medium Shot
• Medium Shot
• Close Up
• Medium Wide Shot
• Extreme Close Up
• Close Up
• Medium Shot
• Wide Shot
• Cut Away/ Transition Shot

Think about continuity when building your story.