I’ve learned a lot from over a decade of editing videos, and I’ve boiled it down to 3 big lessons that changed how I make my videos.
When I first started editing videos 10 years ago, it felt like a huge challenge but also super exciting. With every video I made, I learned a little more, going through ups and downs but always moving forward.
And now, I’m here to tell you all about what I’ve learned. But why is this important for you?
Because nowadays, making a great video is about more than just putting clips together. It’s about telling stories that connect with people, and that make them feel something special.
And as we go through these lessons together, you’ll see this isn’t just about editing. It’s about how to tell great stories, no matter how you’re doing it.
In this blog post, I’m going to talk about how to tell amazing stories, how to get good with video editing tools, and how to keep getting better all the time.
1. The Importance of Storytelling
In my early days, I thought the key to a great video was just having the coolest transitions and the most eye-catching effects. But, even with all that, something was missing. My videos looked good, but they didn’t speak to anyone.
This was my first BIG HURDLE
Then came my breakthrough moment. I realized that the heart of a great video isn’t just about how it looks but what it says. It’s about the story it tells.
This shift in focus was a game-changer for me. I started thinking about what I wanted my audience to feel and learn from my videos, not just what I wanted them to see.
And that made all the difference. Suddenly, my videos started to connect with people. They weren’t just watching; they were feeling, reacting, and engaging.
This lesson was my first BIG WIN.
Storytelling is the soul of video editing. It’s what turns a bunch of clips into an interesting story that can move, inspire, or even change someone. You don’t need the fanciest tools or the biggest budget. What you need is a clear vision of the story you want to tell.
Begin With The Story
Understanding the power of storytelling transformed my approach to video editing. Instead of starting with the technical aspects, I began with the story.
What message did I want to convey? What emotions did I want to evoke? This mindset shift made my editing process more intentional and my videos more impactful.
For example, in a travel video, instead of just showcasing beautiful landscapes, I focused on the journey. I highlighted the ups and downs, the surprises along the way, and the personal growth that came from the experience. This made the video more relatable and memorable to my audience.
This evolution in my work didn’t happen overnight. It took lots of trial and error, but focusing on storytelling along with using creative editing techniques helped me create videos that were not only visually appealing but also emotionally engaging.
Practical Tips To Add More Storytelling
If you’re looking to add more storytelling into your video editing, here are some practical tips that helped me along the way:
1. Start with the Why: Before you even begin editing, ask yourself why you’re making this video and what story you want to tell. This will guide every editing decision you make.
2. Plan Your Story Arc: Think about your video in terms of a beginning, middle, and end. What’s the setup? What’s the conflict or main event? How does it resolve? Planning the story arc will help you structure your video more effectively.
3. Pace Your Story: Timing is everything in storytelling. Use pacing to build tension, highlight important moments, and keep your audience engaged. Remember, sometimes what you leave out is just as important as what you include.
4. Edit with Emotion in Mind: Think about the emotional journey you want your viewers to go on. Use music, color grading, and editing techniques to enhance these emotions throughout the video.
5. Seek Feedback: Share your edits with others and ask for their honest feedback on the story. Sometimes, we’re too close to our work to see it. External perspectives can help you fine-tune your narrative.
2. Mastering Video Editing Tools And Techniques
When I first started video editing, I was overwhelmed by the huge number of tools and techniques at my disposal.
It felt like standing at the foot of a mountain, not knowing how to climb it. However, I quickly realized the importance of mastering the basics before attempting to scale the peak.
Learning Basic Editing Techniques
Learning the foundational elements of video editing software (cuts, transitions, layering audio, and basic color correction) was my starting point. These are the building blocks of any great video, and understanding them inside out allowed me to establish a solid editing workflow.
I spent countless hours experimenting with different types of cuts to understand how they affect the flow and feel of a video. A well-timed cut can create suspense or surprise, while a smooth transition can guide the viewer gently from one scene to another.
This period of learning and experimentation was crucial. It taught me that mastering the tools and techniques is not just about knowing what each button does but understanding how to use these tools to enhance your storytelling.
The basics might not be the most glamorous part of video editing, but they’re the most essential.
Learning Advanced Editing Techniques
As I became more comfortable with the basic tools, I began exploring more advanced techniques. This exploration was driven by a desire to not just tell stories, but to tell them in unique and interesting ways.
I learned about color grading to set the mood and atmosphere of my videos, learned about sound design, and experimented with Adobe After Effects to create unique visual effects.
One of the most transformative techniques I learned was motion graphics. Using animated elements in my videos allowed me to illustrate concepts and stories that were difficult to convey through live-action footage alone. This was particularly useful in educational and explainer videos, where visual aids can significantly enhance understanding.
However, the key was not to use these techniques just because I could but to use them purposefully, to make the story I was telling more engaging.
Balancing Technical Skills With Creativity
Mastering the tools and techniques of video editing is a journey that never truly ends, as technology and software continue to evolve. However, one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the importance of balancing technical skills with creativity.
It’s easy to get caught up in the latest trends and software capabilities, but the heart of video editing is storytelling. This balance between creativity and technical skills is where true artistry lies.
It’s not enough to know how to use all the features of your editing software; you must also know when and why to use them.
Every tool, effect, or technique should serve the story you’re trying to tell. This means sometimes opting for a simple cut instead of a flashy transition or choosing not to use a particular effect because it doesn’t contribute to the story.
Finding this balance has been a constant process of self-reflection and growth. It involves being critical of my work, and asking myself if a particular technique enhances the story or if it’s just a distraction.
It’s about making intentional choices that align with the vision of the project.
3: The Value of Feedback, Collaboration And Continuous Learning
Throughout my 10-year journey in video editing, one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the IMPORTANCE OF EMBRACING FEEDBACK.
In the beginning, I saw feedback as criticism, something to defend against. However, I soon realized that feedback is a gift, an opportunity to see my work through someone else’s eyes and to grow beyond my limitations.
I learned to listen, truly listen, to what others were saying without taking it personally. This openness transformed feedback from something I feared into something I looked forward to.
Embracing feedback also taught me the value of COLLABORATION. Video editing, much like any creative field, does well with shared ideas and experiences. Seeing the work of others, and discussing challenges and solutions, created a sense of belonging and pushed me to keep improving.
The final lesson from my decade of video editing is the IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUOUS LEARNING.
The art of video editing is constantly evolving, with new technologies, techniques, and trends emerging all the time. Staying updated and learning new techniques has been important to keep my work fresh and relevant. I’ve watched YouTube tutorials, enrolled in online courses, and kept up with industry news through blogs.
But continuous learning isn’t just about keeping up with technology. It’s also about evolving as a storyteller.
The world changes, and with it, the stories we tell and how we tell them. I’ve found that the journey of a video editor is never truly complete. There is always something new to discover, whether it’s a technical skill, a storytelling technique, or a deeper understanding of the human experience.
The Bottom Line
For those starting, consider these lessons as the 3 foundational pillars of video editing.
Build upon them, experiment, and never be afraid to fail, for it is through failure that we learn the most. Every video is an opportunity to tell a story that matters, to connect with someone on the other side of the screen in a way that’s uniquely yours.
Cover Image By – Video Timeline Vectors by Vecteezy