Video editing is a type of art in itself, which therefore can be quite subjective. One person will love an edgier video editing style while another prefers something classic. The purpose of your video also dictates the style in some ways. A video of your family reunion might not look the same as a corporate event video.
While the best way to describe what you want to your videographer is to show them some examples, this guide will get you started. It will help you think about video editing styles and understand enough to communicate your needs to your videographer.
Video Editing Style Guide: Romantic
A romantic editing style is very soft without much direct emphasis. Many mid shots are used to help keep it basic and illustrate people’s body language towards one another. The shots are longer and more fluid as the editors focus on the overall storyline and character relationships.
The style is straightforward and vulnerable, focused on shots and camera angles as well as setting the scene. The romantic style is all about flow, continuity, and storytelling.
Video Editing Style Guide: Classic Video Editing
Classic video editing entails many foreign sounding elements but you’ll recognize them in practice.
A classicly edited video clip (often excellent for company events) uses B roll footage to set the tone and provides context. This could be footage of other people checking into your event, a staged planning meeting, close up shots of your products, or maybe techs loading equipment into the venue.
These clips could be used in order to disguise cuts or smooth transitions between scenes.
Other technical details like camera angles and the shooting plane are also employed, but just understand a classicly edited video is subtle, smooth, and not distracting from the subject at hand.
Video Editing Style Guide: Modern Video Editing
Modern video editing, on the other hand, can stand out on its own. If you’ve watched a video and thought about the editing, it could be in the modern style. Things like jump cuts can be used deliberately in this style to create a sense of awareness in the viewer.
Party and concert footage may use modern video editing elements successfully, but you may not want them in your corporate video.
Video Editing Style Guide: Edgy Video Editing
Edgy video editing places pretty conspicuous editing techniques in the viewer’s line of sight to communicate an artistic and avant-guard tone. For instance, transitions in an edgy video could drop to color negatives or dissolve and shot angles may be unusual and compelling.
Basically, you’re pushing the envelope here making this style great for brands with a bit of bite to their identity, music videos, and art projects.
Highlight Reel vs Video
You also must decide if you want a quick highlight reel of your event that gives a quick 2-5 minute overview or a longer 30-40 minute video. Think of the highlight reel as a trailer or recap of the best moments in a sporting event. It’s more exciting and attention catching because it boils down the best parts of your event or message.
We often recommend highlight reels to our clients, both corporate and private. A highlight reel of your wedding or conference could be more useful than a longer piece of content. It prevents wandering attention and is more likely to get viewed in its entirety.
Communicating With Your Videographer
Even if you’re more confused than when we started, the real key is communicating effectively with your videography vendor. Spend time explaining exactly what you are looking for as well as what music you want in the final video. Provide examples when you can, particularly of videos the videographer you’re working with already shot.
We absolutely love collaborating with clients to come up with the right theme for them. Contact Diamond Sonic today to request a quote or schedule a time to talk about the best style of editing for your goals.