Video Editing Guide For Beginners: Getting Started with Creative Storytelling



In the digital age, video content has become increasingly popular across various platforms. Whether you aspire to create engaging YouTube videos, share memorable moments on social media, or produce professional projects, learning video editing is an essential skill. This guide is designed to help beginners embark on their video editing journey using Adobe Premiere Pro and develop the foundational knowledge necessary for creative storytelling.



Video Editing: Beginners Guide Step-by-Step

1. Understanding Video Editing

2. Choosing a Right Software

3. Watch Editing Tutorials

4. Organizing Your Footages

5. Importing Footages

6. Building Your Timeline

7. Apply Transitions & Effects

8. Enhancing Audio

9. Color Corrections & Grading

10.  Exporting Video


  1. Understanding Video Editing:

    Video editing is the process of assembling, arranging, and manipulating video clips to create a coherent and visually appealing story. It involves techniques such as trimming, cutting, transitions, effects, and audio enhancements to achieve a polished final product. Familiarizing yourself with the basic concepts of video editing sets the stage for your learning journey,

  2. Choosing the Right Software:

    While various video editing software options are available, Adobe Premiere Pro is widely recognized as a powerful and professional tool. It provides a comprehensive range of features, allowing users to edit videos with flexibility and precision. Start by downloading and installing Adobe Premiere Pro, and explore the interface and tools to get comfortable with the software.

  3. Watch Editing Tutorials:

  1. Organizing Your Footage:

    Before diving into the editing process, it's crucial to organize your footage. Create a folder structure on your computer to keep your project files, video clips, images, and audio files well-organized. Sorting and labeling your files will save you time and frustration later on when you're searching for specific assets.

  2. Importing Footage:

    In Adobe Premiere Pro, import your footage by selecting "File" and then "Import." Locate your video clips on your computer and import them into your project. Adobe Premiere Pro supports various video formats, making it flexible for working with different types of media.

  3. Building Your Timeline:

    The timeline is the central workspace where you arrange and edit your clips. Drag and drop your video clips from the project panel onto the timeline to start building your sequence. Use the "Razor" tool to cut and trim your clips, eliminating any unwanted sections and ensuring a smooth flow.

  4. Applying Transitions and Effects:

    Transitions help create seamless visual connections between different clips. Adobe Premiere Pro offers a range of transition effects, such as cuts, fades, wipes, and dissolves. Experiment with different transitions to find the ones that best suit your video's tone and style.

  5. Enhancing Audio:

    Audio plays a crucial role in video editing. Use the audio editing tools in Adobe Premiere Pro to adjust volume levels, eliminate background noise, and add music or voiceovers. Ensure that your audio is balanced, clear, and synchronized with the visual elements of your video.

  6. Utilizing Text and Graphics:

    To enhance the storytelling aspect of your videos, add text and graphics. Adobe Premiere Pro offers tools for creating and animating text overlays, titles, and lower thirds. These elements provide important information, context, and branding to your video.

  7. Color Correction and Grading:

    Color correction and grading can significantly impact the mood and aesthetic of your video. Adobe Premiere Pro provides powerful color correction tools to adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, and apply color grading presets. Experiment with different looks to achieve the desired visual style for your video

  8. Exporting Your Video:

    Once you're satisfied with your editing, it's time to export your video. Adobe Premiere Pro offers various export settings and presets, allowing you to customize the output based on your target platform or audience. Consider factors such as resolution, file format, and compression settings to ensure optimal playback quality.

When exporting for the web, the goal is to create a file that maintains its high quality without making it too heavy for upload and online viewing. If you’re unsure about the export settings to use, don’t worry. Sites like YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo all have recommended export settings to help you appropriately resize your file:

Export Settings

Youtube

Vimeo

Facebook

Maximum Resolution

2160p (4K)

1080p (HD)

720p

Recommended Codec

H.264

H.264

H.264

Audio Codec

AAC-LC (up to 96kHz)

AAC-LC (up to 48kHz)

N/A

Bit Rate

HD 8mbps at 24fps,
4K 45mbps at 23fps

20mbps

N/A

Supported Frame Rates

24, 25, 30, 48, 50, 60

24, 25, 30

< 30fps


How to Edit Videos: Frequently Asked Questions

What do most YouTubers use to edit their videos?

Depending on your computer setup, the two big editing software’s are Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro. DaVinci Resolve is another popular program for professional-quality films, commercials, and narrative work. When deciding on DaVince Resolve vs Premiere Pro, it may just come down to your skill level and the quality of your footage.

More things to note are compatibility. Final Cut Pro only works on a Mac computer, however Adobe Premiere Pro works on both PC and Mac. Adobe is helpful if you write, film, and edit all on your computer. Final Cut Pro requires a one-time payment to own the software, whereas Adobe has a monthly payment option. There are trials for both programs, so test them both out if you have a Mac computer. Both programs will give you the features you need to learn how to edit videos.

What is the easiest way to edit videos for free?

Editing videos for fee is possible, but if you want to elevate your finished product, a paid program will be the next step. If you’re on a Mac, check out iMovie. It comes free with all Mac devices and it even has templates, which make it easier to edit. Another great option is Lightworks, which has a free version and a premium version. You can get a lot done using the free version and the premium version is affordable if you want to upgrade.

If you want to edit on the go and stay in the Adobe family, Adobe Premiere Rush lets you shoot, edit, and share your videos anywhere. This app is great for your phone or tablet, and it also works on desktops.