Video Editing - Basics How to get started Tutorial - 7/7/2009

What You Need Some source of moving and still images. Some source of moving and still images. Some means of importing them into a PC. Some means of importing them into a PC. Some software to optimise each clip and string the clips together. Some software to optimise each clip and string the clips together. Some means of exporting the resulting masterpiece. Some means of exporting the resulting masterpiece.

Sources of moving (and still) images Camcorder Camcorder Modern digital camera Modern digital camera Modern cell phone Modern cell phone The internet The internet TV TV

Analog Camcorder

Digital Camcorder

Camcorder Digital Media Tape (lightly compressed) Tape (lightly compressed) Memory (compressed) Memory (compressed) DVD (compressed) DVD (compressed) Hard Drive (compressed) Hard Drive (compressed)

Camcorder Features Modern camcorders can record in HD. Modern camcorders can record in HD. Modern camcorders can take stills. Modern camcorders can take stills.

Firewire This is the high speed data transfer system used by most camcorders. This is the high speed data transfer system used by most camcorders. It’s about the same speed as USB2. It’s about the same speed as USB2. Not all computers have Firewire connectors but they’re easily added. Not all computers have Firewire connectors but they’re easily added.

Firewire Cards

Firewire Connectors

Other Device Connections Cell Phones and digital cameras generally use USB. Import the files to a local folder. Cell Phones and digital cameras generally use USB. Import the files to a local folder. Or use a card reader to do the same thing. Or use a card reader to do the same thing. etc etc

‘Filming’ Dos Start recording before the action takes place. You can always trim any excess later. Start recording before the action takes place. You can always trim any excess later. Stop recording after the action takes place. You can always trim any excess later. Stop recording after the action takes place. You can always trim any excess later. Also take stills shots of useful information. Also take stills shots of useful information.

Useful Still Photo

‘Filming’ Donts Avoid excessive zooming. Frame the shot first. Avoid excessive zooming. Frame the shot first. If you must zoom during a shot, avoid jerkiness. If you must zoom during a shot, avoid jerkiness. Avoid fast panning of static views. Avoid fast panning of static views. The objective is to minimise audience nausea. The objective is to minimise audience nausea.

Software There’s lots of choice here – from free to professional. There’s lots of choice here – from free to professional. Windows XP has the basic Movie Maker 2. Windows XP has the basic Movie Maker 2. Windows Vista has the slightly better Movie Maker. Windows Vista has the slightly better Movie Maker. Pinnacle Studio and Adobe Premiere are probably the best known non-professional ‘paid for’ packages Pinnacle Studio and Adobe Premiere are probably the best known non-professional ‘paid for’ packages

Software Prices (Amazon) Movie Maker, Avidemux, ZS4 = FREE Movie Maker, Avidemux, ZS4 = FREE Pinnacle studio V12 = £35-70 (depending on version) Pinnacle studio V12 = £35-70 (depending on version) Adobe Premiere Elements 7 = £59 Adobe Premiere Elements 7 = £59 Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 = £33-56 (depending on version) Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 = £33-56 (depending on version) Sony Vegas Pro 8 = £443 Sony Vegas Pro 8 = £443 Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 = £769 Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 = £769

Recommended Book It’s in Storrington Library. It’s in Storrington Library. It’s 4 years old now but the principles remain the same. It’s 4 years old now but the principles remain the same.

End of Slide Show Now for a hands on look at Vista’s Movie Maker Now for a hands on look at Vista’s Movie Maker followed by a glimpse of Adobe Premiere Elements followed by a glimpse of Adobe Premiere Elements … and finishing with a demo of Pinnacle by Peter Leake. … and finishing with a demo of Pinnacle by Peter Leake.