Video Editing

93 topics across 7 chapters

Chapter 1

Foundations (how video works + how edits feel)

Video fundamentals (time, size, compression)

2 subtopics

Frame rate & resolution basics (what to choose and why)

Codecs & containers basics (H.264/H.265/ProRes; bitrate intuition)

Storytelling & pacing basics

2 subtopics

Build a narrative arc (hook → clarity → payoff)

Rhythm, timing & J/L cuts (making edits feel invisible)

Visual continuity & clarity (why cuts make sense)

2 subtopics

180° rule & screen direction (avoid confusing the viewer)

B-roll coverage & motivated cuts (what to cut to, and when)

Foundational practice drills

2 subtopics

Exercise: cut a talking-head using b-roll (clean, clear, engaging)

Exercise: create a 60-second montage cut to music

Chapter 2

Workflow & Organization (projects, media, collaboration)

Project setup (sequences, settings, imports)

2 subtopics

Create sequence/settings correctly (avoid rework later)

Proxy/optimized media workflow (smooth playback on any machine)

Media management & backup (stay organized, avoid disasters)

2 subtopics

Folder/bin conventions and naming (find anything fast)

Backup & archive habit (what to keep, where, and how)

Editing pipeline & speed (from rough cut to final)

2 subtopics

Rough cut → fine cut checklist (what changes in each pass)

Keyboard shortcuts & workspace setup (edit faster with less fatigue)

Collaboration & interchange (handing work off cleanly)

2 subtopics

XML/AAF/EDL basics (moving edits between tools)

Versioning & review notes (iterate without losing your place)

Chapter 3

Picture Editing Techniques (cutting scenes and building momentum)

Dialogue & interview editing

2 subtopics

Remove filler & tighten dialogue without sounding choppy

↗ Rhythm, timing & J/L cuts (making edits feel invisible) (see Chapter 1)

Montage & b-roll building

2 subtopics

Cut to the beat (use music/VO cadence to drive edits)

Match action & motion (keep energy continuous across cuts)

Multi-camera editing

2 subtopics

Sync & switch angles for story (not just “best camera”)

Fix multicam drift and sync issues (common causes and remedies)

Time manipulation (speed changes)

2 subtopics

Speed ramping basics (what sells the effect)

Avoid time-remap artifacts (stutter, warping, weird motion blur)

Shot polish (stabilization, reframing, transitions)

2 subtopics

Stabilization & reframing (make shaky footage usable)

Choose transitions vs straight cuts (and avoid “transition soup”)

Chapter 4

Audio for Video (dialogue, music, mixing)

Audio fundamentals for editors (levels and clean edits)

2 subtopics

Gain staging & headroom (avoid clipping, keep signal strong)

Room tone & crossfades (prevent clicks/pops between dialogue edits)

Dialogue cleanup

2 subtopics

Noise reduction safely (reduce noise without “underwater” artifacts)

EQ & compression for voice (intelligibility and consistency)

Music & sound effects (SFX) editing

2 subtopics

Music selection & licensing basics (what you can legally use)

↗ Cut to the beat (use music/VO cadence to drive edits) (see Chapter 3)

Mixing & loudness basics (deliverables that play everywhere)

2 subtopics

Ducking music under dialogue (automation and sidechain concepts)

Deliverables: full mix & stems (what to export for clients/teams)

Chapter 5

Color & Look (correction, grading, monitoring)

Scopes & color fundamentals

2 subtopics

Read waveform & vectorscope (what “good” looks like)

White balance & exposure fixes (fast, repeatable corrections)

Color correction workflow (make shots neutral and consistent)

2 subtopics

Primary correction pass (lift/gamma/gain or wheels/curves)

Shot matching (make the scene feel like one moment)

Creative looks & LUT usage

2 subtopics

Use LUTs safely and build a look on top (avoid crushed/oversat footage)

Genre look study (vlog vs doc vs cinematic) and how to recreate them

Color management & monitoring

2 subtopics

Rec.709 vs Log basics (why footage looks flat and how to normalize it)

Monitor calibration basics (see accurate color and contrast)

Chapter 6

Effects & Motion Graphics (titles, tracking, compositing)

Keyframing & animation basics

2 subtopics

Keyframes & easing (make motion feel natural)

Motion blur and frame blending basics (when/why to use them)

Titles & lower thirds

2 subtopics

Readable typography & safe margins (titles that work on phones too)

Animate a lower third (in/out, timing, and subtle polish)

Compositing basics (masks, keys)

2 subtopics

Masking/roto basics (isolate part of the frame cleanly)

Greenscreen keying basics (good keys from imperfect footage)

Tracking & cleanup tools

2 subtopics

Track text/blur to motion (pin to objects convincingly)

Basic object removal/cleanup (hide problems without heavy VFX)

Chapter 7

Delivery & Professional Practice (export, platform versions, client workflow)

Export & quality control (QC)

2 subtopics

Export master checklist + watchdown QC (catch issues before upload)

Captions/subtitles basics (accuracy, burn-in vs sidecar files)

Compression strategy (small files, good quality)

2 subtopics

H.264/H.265 settings basics (CRF vs bitrate, GOP intuition)

↗ Codecs & containers basics (H.264/H.265/ProRes; bitrate intuition) (see Chapter 1)

Platform deliverables (versions for different audiences)

2 subtopics

YouTube/online delivery settings (clean uploads, consistent quality)

Social vertical (9:16) versioning (reframe, text placement, pacing)

Archiving & project handoff

2 subtopics

↗ Backup & archive habit (what to keep, where, and how) (see Chapter 2)

Consolidate media & relink (handoff that opens without missing files)

Client workflow & career habits

2 subtopics

Client communication & revisions (briefs, rounds, approvals)

↗ Keyboard shortcuts & workspace setup (edit faster with less fatigue) (see Chapter 2)