Editing suggestions

[Divesherpa]

I started editing video two days ago. As you guys are knowledgeable about video, how about some critique?? I appreciate all suggestions.
Here are the links:
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/21407/cat/500/page/1
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/21213/cat/500/page/1
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/21210/cat/500/page/1


I'm using Ulead. My laptop slows way down when I'm editing. Do I need to build a new computer just for editing?

How do you guys close video segments?

Thanks,
Jamie

 

[JeffG]

I started editing video two days ago. As you guys are knowledgeable about video, how about some critique?? I appreciate all suggestions.
Here are the links:
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/21407/cat/500/page/1
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/21213/cat/500/page/1
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/21210/cat/500/page/1

Nice Video's

I only use the "fancy" transitions for segments that are totally different. (I'm thinking of vid 2...when you are looking up at the fishes)

and try not to use too many of them.

Vid 1...if you are just showing a critter with no other stuff happening or new stuff entering the picture. (Like a wreck or another diver)...cut the segment shorter. People tend to like seeing other people and not just fishes

(Just IMO...feel free to ignore)

I'm using Ulead. My laptop slows way down when I'm editing. Do I need to build a new computer just for editing?

Its probably a memory issue. How much RAM do you have. (With which OS)

How do you guys close video segments?

Thanks,
Jamie

Usually a still picture (taken sometime during the trip) with scrolling text saying who dived....where did we dive...who did the camera work....who . edited. etc etc Then a fade to black.

 

[PerroneFord]

Books have been written on this....

A few basics:

1. Keep segments short, 6 seconds on average, 10 seconds max.

2. Jump cuts and dissolves are your friends. Fancy transitions are best left for "B" movies and kids videos. They also slow your rendering to a crawl as your computer tries to figure them out.

3. Spend time on audio. The hallmark of professional video work is when the video is smooth, and the audio becomes transparent.

4. Fade into the video = 1 second. Fade out = 3 seconds

5. Try to follow a storyline. If the idea is to detail an entire trip, then do that and keep it moving along. If you want to chronicle a cool fish you filmed, fine, but move it along.

6. Don't be afraid to use slow-motion for effects once in a while. Sometimes it's cool to see thnigs slowed down.

7. Maintain continuity of motion. If you show something swimming off-screeen left to right, don't suddenly make somethnig appear center screen.

8. Each scene (after a cut) should open with an establishing shot. About a fuill second of something fairly still to settle the viewer, then bring your motion in.


I have not had a chance to look at the videos you've poster here. This is just off-the cuff stuff I've learned while doing video work the past couple of years at the office.

Good luck!

 

[peterbkk]

If this is just a sample, it looks like you do have some lovely footage to work with...

In the first piece, on the wreck, I would have cut it into smaller segments and removed some of the less-than-smooth panning in the middle.

I too do not like the fancy transitions. I use a cut within a story segment and a crossfade to move between segments. Don't like anything else...

 

[RickSp]

Good advice from everyone.

One other element you might want to consider is the sequence of your clips. For example, in the first clip you start with a moderate close up of a turtle swimming then transition to a more distant shot then to a shot from above. You might consider starting with the distant shot as your "establishing shot", then a dissolve or cut to the closer shot then the shot from the above. Try to make sure that the sequence of clips makes visual sense.

Overall some really great footage.

 

[PerroneFord]

RickSp hit on something here that most people rarely consider when they get into video. Only you know the order in which things were actually filmed. Movies are not shot in sequence for reasons. Your video does not need to be presented necessarily in sequence to tell your story.

If you begin to shoot with the idea of "scenes" then you can more easily edit just your scenes, then figure out how to sequence later. For example, while shooting someone on a wreck, clearly you want to show them enter before you show them exit. But the order in which they explore the engine room, dining room, and captains quaters is immaterial, and you can select the order in which to show them to best effect.

Think HOLLYWOOD!

 

[Divesherpa]

Great suggestions. I definately see what you are saying about the sequencing. I was editing beginning, middle, and end. I will spend a lot of time on that aspect of acquiring footage.

The Deep was an excellent video suggestion. Any more good suggestions? I have been watching some ScubaZoo stuff. They are a couple of light years away from where I am, so I need to stick with simpler stuff for the beginning.

Thanks for all the tips and please keep 'em coming.

 

[Scubakevdm]

Thanks for all the tips and please keep 'em coming.

Try to find a more normal diver to film. That guy you have there is a fricken zoo. There are bubbles streaming out of the neck of his wetsuit. For God's sake man, what were you thinking?
Other than that it looks good. I should know. I'm a video guy from way back.

 

[Kim]

Just a couple of points about the computer. For video editing - and especially capturing - the speed of your hard drive is very important. Until very recently most laptop hard drives were only 4200rpm - although you can get faster ones now. This is simply too slow and you will get many dropped frames and a very slow response using a drive like that. At the very least you need a 7200rpm drive IMO. I actually use two ATA133 7200rpm drives in a RAID array (effectively doubles their speed). If you can afford it I would definitely suggest building a computer with editing in mind. Apart from the drives as was already mentioned memory (RAM) is also important - the more the better. Get a fast video card as well, also with as much of it's own RAM as possible - you can get relatively cheap cards with 256MB on the card - that helps a lot too as it takes some of the video processing away from your main processor thus freeing it up. If you plan on analogue capturing at all - make sure the video card has analogue inputs.
Personally I'd stay away from editing on a laptop. It's really not what they are designed for.

 

[ronrosa]

Great suggestions. I definately see what you are saying about the sequencing. I was editing beginning, middle, and end. I will spend a lot of time on that aspect of acquiring footage.

The Deep was an excellent video suggestion. Any more good suggestions? I have been watching some ScubaZoo stuff. They are a couple of light years away from where I am, so I need to stick with simpler stuff for the beginning.

Thanks for all the tips and please keep 'em coming.

I have a bunch of my scuba videos on my site. I tend to use the scuba "vacation video" style of editing. This style is not for everyone, but it's a good style for us beginners and makes a nice vacation souvenir.

My personal favorite is Turks and Caicos 2004 Part 2.

Click here


You could also take a look at these:


www.piddlefish.com is Meekel's site. He's been posting on this board lately.

www.dejavideo.net is Dale who hangs out over on Rodale's board.

www.hecubus.net is Craig Jones. Some really good stuff there.


Watching other people's videos is not only entertaining, but also a great way for us all to learn from each other.