Editing is a lot like writing. It's a tedious process that requires keen attention to detail, and if you don't work efficiently, your next project will take a whole lot longer than you want it to.
Justin and the S&H team were also kind enough to share with us an exclusive tutorial from the Academy, and it deals with a few of their favorite tricks for making the editing process more efficient and organized. It features filmmaking rockstars like Joe Simon of The Delivery Men and Ray Tsang, who has won a pile of Emmys. Check it out:
Lastly, even though we've written about keyboard shortcuts quite a few times, it's worth stressing the point again. Keyboard shortcuts, once you've committed them to your muscle memory, will speed up your editing process considerably. Personally, I recommend creating your own set of shortcuts or modifying the default set in your NLE. Using shortcuts that make sense to you is a better strategy than rote memorization of shortcuts that don't make much sense at all. The last tip I have in regards to keyboard shortcuts is customizing and memorizing only the shortcuts that you use most often. There are hundreds of shortcuts in any NLE, and trying to memorize every single one of them will just drive you insane. If you can memorize the few that make up the bulk of your editing actions, you'll see a huge boost in efficiency.
Here's a quick recap of the other tips and tricks in the video:
If you're interested in more tutorials like this one (plus a whole lot of other cool stuff), go check out the Academy of Storytellers. They're offering $100 off your first year of membership up until Friday evening (June 26th) at 9pm PST. Just enter the code "cheer" at checkout. Head on over to the Academy to learn more.
What are your most powerful tips for editing and working more efficiently? Share them with us down in the comments!
Your Comment
11 Comments
I'm actually more curious on what that timer app he had was!
June 25, 2015 at 2:16AM
KTimer
June 25, 2015 at 9:19AM
haha! that's the first thing I checked too. Ktime in app store.
October 21, 2015 at 12:57AM
Step 1: Purchase ridiculously looking office chairs.
But seriously, some really good tips. I struggle the most with eliminating distractions especially when I'm hitting a road block during an edit. Similar to setting custom keystrokes, I think a custom workspace is also as important for a smooth workflow.
June 25, 2015 at 5:21AM
The black video tip is good advice. Going to use that trick especially for features.
Turning off your phone is only good if you are your own boss. Did it once and my Post Supervisor freaked out.
June 25, 2015 at 12:02PM
I feel like people should think of editing the way they think of any production. Preproduction saves you the most time, gains the most quality. In the same way, planning/labeling/clip managing really decides how creative and succesful your edits are-especially in doc work.
June 26, 2015 at 8:54AM
So true...
October 21, 2015 at 10:34AM
It would be nicer if the videos were subtitled.
July 13, 2015 at 4:54AM, Edited July 13, 4:54AM
Anyone still using nested sequences?
October 21, 2015 at 10:33AM, Edited October 21, 10:33AM
Did I just see Final Cut in there? 2015 people...
October 21, 2015 at 12:08PM
That one about a notebook is a great one-- will be sure to implement. For what it's worth, I switched to a standup desk and my productivity went up twofold.
October 21, 2015 at 12:49PM