This resource page includes links to nearly a dozen articles and tutorials on different video editing programs, video file formats and how to convert between them, and other technical aspects of video production.
Video editing brings your production efforts together into a finished, fun-to-watch story. Video editing is a rather lengthy, complex process that involves bringing all the many separate elements of your video and mixing them together into one cohesive story. Video editing is done on a computer. There are dozens of software programs to choose from, many for free.
Although video editing does have a fairly steep learning curve, once you learn the basics, it can seem fairly simple. Today’s editing programs allow you to do a lot without too terribly much effort. They are significantly easier to use than the equipment it took decades ago to edit video.
Most video editing programs have a lot in common, so operate much the same way. It’s a bit like driving a car. If you know how to drive a clunker, you can probably manage a nicer car. Simpler programs are much better for beginners. Learn the basics before you get into a program that is too terribly complex. Even the simple video editing programs can do a lot.
Video editing is a lot of fun once you know how. The links below will help you learn the basics of video editing and explore several different software programs.
The list of posts linked here also cover video conversion and digital file formats. There are literally thousands of different video and audio file formats you might run into when trying to produce video and upload to the internet. Never fear, there are just a handful of common formats, so I think you can get by with just a cursory knowledge of the technical aspects of video, unless you just really like that sort of thing. I admit to not being the swiftest with technical stuff. I prefer the artistic side to video.
With so many formats, you can run into compatibility issues. Conversion is fairly easy. You can convert video files with any one of a number of online converters, like Cloud Convert, which is my personal favorite. You can convert quite a few files on that site for free.
File formats and conversion confuse lots of people. It’s often sited as the reasons people do not make videos for the internet. That is a shame, as it is not THAT dang hard, at least not if all you need is some basic conversion. Believe me, it can be terribly complex if you are working at the level of Netflix streaming service, but more modest video converters can usually get by with just knowing the basics.
With these tips you’ll find in the articles below, you’ll be a master in no time!
Video Editing: Windows Movie Maker
Video Editing File Management (Truly important!)
Transferring Video to your Computer
Five Best Free Video Editing Programs
Free Trial Run on Video Editing Software
Advanced Video Editing: Using Mattes and Layers
Of course, rules were made to be broken and creative editors take extreme artistic license. But, if you are new to the craft of video editing, learn these rules and consider them a foundation from which to develop your skills.
Hi Sugel.
That is a good way to put it. A novice should learn the rules and follow them first. It is only when you are competent with the basics that you can stray outside them and produce quality work. I think if one tries to not follow the rules at all, yet they have no experience, they will probably end up with video much! Thanks for your comment.
Lorraine