Audio and video editing are crucial skills for multimedia journalists. These techniques allow you to shape raw footage into compelling stories. From cutting and trimming to enhancing visuals and sound, mastering these tools can elevate your storytelling.

Non-linear editing software gives you the flexibility to manipulate content easily. By learning timeline editing, audio mixing, and visual enhancements, you can create polished productions. Understanding export settings ensures your work looks great on any platform.

Basic Editing Techniques

Non-Linear Editing Fundamentals

• Non-linear editing allows editors to access and manipulate any part of the video or audio file at any time
• Utilizes digital files stored on computer hard drives or other storage devices
• Enables easy rearrangement of clips without affecting the original source material
• Provides flexibility to make changes throughout the editing process without starting over
• Popular non-linear editing software includes Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve

Cutting and Trimming Techniques

• Cutting involves selecting specific portions of video or audio clips to use in the final product
• Trimming refines the start and end points of clips to create smooth transitions
• In-point marks the beginning of a selected clip segment
• Out-point designates the end of a selected clip segment
• J-cuts and L-cuts create audio-visual overlap for smoother scene transitions
  • J-cut: Audio from the next scene begins before the visual transition
  • L-cut: Audio from the previous scene continues into the next visual scene

Timeline Editing Essentials

• Timeline represents the chronological sequence of edited clips
• Multiple tracks allow for layering of video, audio, and effects
• Drag and drop clips onto the timeline to arrange them in desired order
• Ripple edit automatically adjusts surrounding clips when changes are made
• Rolling edit simultaneously adjusts the out-point of one clip and the in-point of the adjacent clip
• Slip and slide tools fine-tune clip placement without altering overall sequence duration

Audio and Video Enhancements

Audio Mixing Techniques

• Balances and adjusts multiple audio tracks for optimal sound quality
• Adjusts volume levels to ensure clear dialogue and appropriate background sounds
• Applies equalization (EQ) to enhance or reduce specific frequencies
• Utilizes audio effects like compression, reverb, and noise reduction
• Creates stereo or surround sound mixes for immersive audio experiences
• Implements keyframes to automate volume changes and effects over time

Visual Enhancement Strategies

• B-roll footage adds visual interest and context to primary footage
  • Consists of supplementary or alternative video footage intercut with main shots
  • Helps to illustrate spoken content or cover editing transitions
• Transitions create smooth visual flow between clips or scenes
  • Common types include cuts, dissolves, wipes, and fades
  • Enhances storytelling and pacing of the video
• Color correction improves overall image quality and consistency
  • Adjusts brightness, contrast, and color balance
  • Ensures continuity between shots filmed under different lighting conditions
• Color grading applies stylistic looks to enhance mood or atmosphere
  • Manipulates color temperature, saturation, and tones
  • Creates visual themes that support the narrative or brand identity

Finalizing the Edit

Exporting and Compression Techniques

• Exporting renders the final edited project into a single video file
• Compression reduces file size while maintaining acceptable quality
  • Lossy compression discards some data to achieve smaller file sizes (MPEG-4, H.264)
  • Lossless compression preserves all original data but results in larger files (FLAC, PNG)
• Codec selection determines the balance between file size and quality
  • Popular video codecs include H.264, H.265 (HEVC), and ProRes
  • Common audio codecs include AAC, MP3, and WAV
• Bitrate affects the amount of data used to represent video and audio
  • Higher bitrates generally result in better quality but larger file sizes
  • Variable bitrate (VBR) adjusts data allocation based on scene complexity
• Frame rate considerations ensure smooth playback on target devices
  • Common frame rates include 24 fps (film), 30 fps (broadcast), and 60 fps (sports, gaming)
• Resolution options cater to various display sizes and streaming platforms
  • Standard resolutions include 1080p (Full HD), 4K (Ultra HD), and 8K