If you have hours of home video to edit and aren't sure how to edit the movies, read on! This page will help you learn how to edit video..
Introduction
You've invested in a video camera, have figured out what you want to shoot, and have taken videos and saved them on disk, or uploaded them to your computer. What next? You can edit the videos to tell a story, and add other media to create a polished product.
Step 1: Select Video Editting Software
You may have software that can pre-loaded on your computer, or with your digital camera. That may be adequate for your initial needs, but there are a number of video editing software products that you can purchase. PC magazine recommends four products:
- CyberLink PowerDirector 7 Ultra
- Corel VideoStudio Pro X2
- Sony's Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack
- Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Version 12
Step 2: Decide on a Video Theme
You may have hours of video to pour through, but as you do, determine what you want your move to be about. Your daughter's soccer career? The day your infant son first rolled over? A high school graduation? Focus on a theme and edit out anything extraneous. What you're editing out doesn't necessarily die on the cutting room floor; it may be the beginning of another movie.
Step 3: Add Sound
Depending on your video, you may want background music, or you may want to add a voice over. Consider recording audio voice overs from participants in the movies- having your 6 year old daughter narrate the story of her big save in goal from the soccer game may be more memorable than your description of the same incident.
