Professional video editing can perform many miracles, but being able to fix everything that might be wrong with the footage is often too big of an ask, even for the most talented professionals working for a video editing company. Instead of hoping that someone else can smooth over shoddy source content or mistakes made in previous editing, you can take a few steps to protect yourself from getting stuck in a challenging situation that could ruin your video project.
Avoid Common Pitfalls
To make video editing easier for everyone, avoid common mistakes that often happen during the filming of the source materials. These include:
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Poor lighting: Using appropriate lighting during takes is less expensive and less time-consuming than having a video editor try to adjust the brightness or color contrast of the footage. Even after tinkering with it for hours, chances are that the final result won’t be what you were hoping for.
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Technical trouble: Technology has an annoying habit of not cooperating at the most inopportune times. Images can freeze, be blurry or glitchy, or be taken from an odd angle.
If the source content is physically damaged or there was a problem during the filming, there is not much a video editor can do. It’s always better to have several takes of a scene for an editor to work with. If you can, try to look at the raw footage before everyone packs up and heads home after a shoot, and always keep a backup of the original video files–just in case the ones you are working with get corrupted.
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Sound surprises: When filming, pay close attention to humming, clicking, or any other sound that could interfere with the video. People are very good at screening ambient noise, but the mic will capture everything.
Editing can help filter out sounds you don’t want but may not be able to fix the problem completely. If the recording is distorted, at low volume, contains an echo, or scenes are disrupted by a loud noise (such as a horn blaring, construction, or a heavy object hitting the ground), there’s usually not much that can be done. Make sure you are using a quality microphone and record in a place with good acoustics.
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Pixel problems: Faulty camera equipment can lead to unwanted spots of various colors appearing. Stuck pixels of red, green, or blue can usually be fixed. Dead, black pixels can’t. Always check your equipment and return or replace anything that is not performing at its best.
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Shaky hands: Shaky footage from handheld cameras will make the video look amateurish. Overuse of stabilizing software can make the video feel distorted and unreal. Use a tripod or other stabilizer instead.
Most of these issues have workarounds (e.g., special effects, music, filters, narration, b-roll). These may cover up mistakes and enrich the video experience, but can also unnecessarily add to the cost and time needed for editing. Additionally, workarounds only go so far.
Put Video Editing Into Perspective
Video editors are artists who know how to edit high-quality videos, but they are not magicians. Editing is a complex and somewhat tedious process of manipulating footage from numerous sources to create a unique and engaging video that will resonate with those who watch it. As the demand for quality videos continues to grow, the demand for talented editors is also increasing.
Vidpro offers fractional video editing services that are affordable and delivered on time. Our pool of talent knows how video editing can fix bad videos and the limitations of what can be done if there are problems with the footage. By being upfront and honest about any technical challenges involved in a project, everyone will have realistic expectations about the project!
