Many people saw this quarantine and teleworking as an opportunity to acquire new knowledge of skills. Now that we can go out and, within limits, go back to playing sports or taking some longer walks, we have an opportunity to document the “return to normality” that we all live.
If you’ve always wanted to learn how to edit videos using your smartphone, WIKO, the European smartphone company, brings you some precious help.
Even if you are a beginner in this area, finding the right application will make all the difference and make your productions look more professional. With editing, you will put the final touches on your video so that the message conveyed is the one you want.
- Pay attention to the rhythm and don’t make a video too long
Total video time is extremely important for capturing people’s attention – we’ve all given up watching those 10-minute videos, right? If you intend to publish it on social networks, 2 minutes is the average it should take.
If it stays too long, it can tire the viewer and make them stop halfway through; if it is too short, it may not convey the intended message. As for the pace will depend on the type of video – if it’s an action video, use quick cuts and sequences that capture the viewer; if the goal is to appeal to emotion, longer plans are a better bet.
- Filters and color variations can set the tone of the video
One way to enhance or tone a video is to add filter or color variation to the footage – you can achieve a more cinematic look if you have a wider dynamic range transitioning from lighter to darker areas. In happier videos, you can put warmer color filters, while cooler ones can be used to emphasize sadness.
- Splits longer clips and includes zoom
Videos can quickly become repetitive or boring if you’re just flipping from one clip to the next, without any significant changes to the image that ensure pacing that keeps people interested.
Instead of inserting an extended part of the footage, choose to cut out part of that timeline and split different segments into which you can quickly zoom. Not only will it keep viewers more interested, but it will also help break the monotony of a long video.
- Don’t forget the sound effects or background music
To get your message across, you can use sound aids. Good background music – whether directing the action or simply accompanying it to create an atmosphere – helps contextualize and arouse emotions.
There are several free soundbanks, and even YouTube applies the legal principle of fair use, which allows the possibility of reusing copyrighted material in certain circumstances without obtaining permission from the copyright owner. All within limits, of course.
- Pay attention to transitions
Transitions work wonders when it comes to joining different scenes together, but they should be used cautiously and effectively like many other things. If you want to keep viewers engaged, you have to pay attention to the transitions you use: fades, for example, are great for showing the passage of time.
You should also pay attention to the transition time, as some do better at shorter intervals, while others are better suited for a longer duration. It’s just a matter of experimenting to find the best result!
Now that you know some of the most basic rules grab your smartphone, download some video editing apps, and try them out to see which you prefer. You are ready to edit your videos!