There are many ways an editor can make a video stand-out and keep viewer retention high. Of course, keeping content on theme and trimming superfluous footage is an important starting point. On this page, I will delve into a few of the additional methods I used in my showreel that are invaluable tools for modern video-editing.
It is important for editors to understand what application to use to get the desired result as efficiently as possible. For example my workflow is, for the most part, in Premiere Pro but when needed, I use the Dynamic Link feature in order to quickly send the layers to After Effects for more control of animation. A technique that requires After Effects would be the “Wiggle Expression” I utilise below regarding the subtle movement, it is carried out by writing a code for the computer to automate movement to specific criteria and this level of complexity is not found in Premiere Pro.
Please note: I have used these following effects on text as these are the most common uses in my portfolio so far, but all of these can also be used on any type of motion graphic.
Velocity Ramping
The trouble with having images and moving across the screen is that, if the velocity isn’t ramped, it can end up looking very robotic as it would just move from point A to point B at the same speed. This is not very pleasing to the eye and can seriously ruin the pace of the video. I have therefore set the moving items to gain speed over time, as this is a lot more natural looking (such as something falling and reaching terminal velocity in real life).
Subtle Movement
One of the most important things in video-editing is easily movement. Not just the big movements from text and colours flying across the screen, but the subtle movements throughout to keep the eye interested, even if the viewer doesn’t consciously notice it’s happening.
This idea was originally taught to me in the world of music production whilst completing my degree, where my lecturer stated the importance of automating every instrument throughout the music, even if it was by a minor amount just to keep the ear interested. He stated that the ear gets used to music it’s heard before, and by altering the instruments throughout, the combination of these instruments is ever changing, creating a more captivating listening experience. I believe this is the same for video.
I have therefore animated every aspect of the showreel to keep everything moving throughout. For example, the background gradient is animated, as are the titles for “longform” and “shortform” (with a wiggle expression in After Effects).
Pop-Ins
Pop-Ins are a staple of all social media video-editing and have been for the last 5 years. They are the effect of something growing from nothing and are mainly used on text for fast-paced subtitles. I have utilised this technique on the majority of my subtitles, as the pop-in sacrifices hardly any reading-time, whilst keeping the eye interested on what I want the viewer to be paying attention to.
Read more
You can read more about my video-editing experience using the links in the top menu – I have edited for customers for YouTube, TikTok, vlogs and ads.