Advanced Editing Workshop

 How to Edit a Music Video:

The first thing you must do is order your edits. Firstly you create the performance edit which is when you do the whole edit as a performance cut, without any of the non-sync or additional narrative elements. Secondly, you then do a narrative cut, which is when you would add in any additional non-sync shots or movement. Then finally, once that is completed, you can color correct all the footage collectively.

In order to start editing, you must first edit and name all your rushes in order and sync them to the song. In order to do this, there will be a clapper board, which will be used for picture syncing from the song to the footage. This will be an iPad on the shoot day which plays the synced sound. It will begin with a loud beep, followed by two snares, and then four beats within the beats per minute of the shot. 

Here are the golden rules:

•  Something is either in sync, or it isn't. If you think it might be, but you're questioning it, it's probably not. 
• Maintaining organization on the timeline is a must. Making sure footage is neat, organized, and synced saves loads of time. 
• Listen to the music! If an instrument is playing, cut to that instrument.
• For the first line of the song, you must see the lead in a close-up.
• Group shots together, this stops the video from looking random
• Follow the movement- this gives the video flow
• Don't rough-cut- aim for high quality the first time
• Break down the editing into fragments in order to accomplish everything in a timely manner.