Video Editing: Lights, Camera and Visuals

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You must all be aware of live coverage’s shown on television channels. But do you know who plays the crucial role of conveying to us the correct visuals? The person who handles the situation of error in visuals is none other than the video editor.

Reporters and the cameraperson cover the news. This is then sent to the television station where the video editing is done. Unwanted footage is edited and to make it more attractive graphics etc are added.

So what is video editing exactly? Video editing is the process of re-arranging or modifying segments of video to form another piece of video. The goals of video editing are the same as in film editing – the removal of unwanted footage, the isolation of desired footage and the arrangement of footage in time to synthesise a new piece of footage.

A career in video editing has become lucrative with the arrival of movie clips and streaming videos in websites. Since this field is highly competitive, video editors should be ready for tough competition.

“To be a good video editor one needs to have the skills of combining two pictures in a single story without editing the real visuals. The final edit must be presented in a very simple and attractive way,” says Shubhajit Datta, lecturer, Smt Parvatibai Chowgule college of Arts and Science.

Growing popularity of online video clips has resulted in increased video editing activities by Internet users. There are numerous job opportunities in video editing throughout the country. Video editors can find placements in TV and film production studios, advertising and multimedia companies and web design companies.

Video editors can work for motion picture studios and with independent production companies. Most of the video editors work on a freelance basis or on short-term contracts for television companies, post-production studios and corporate employers.

“In Goa, if video editors are given the same platform as Mumbai and other metropolitan cities, then Goans will get a good opportunity to get into this profession and earn handsome remuneration,” says Mr Datta.

The term video editing can refer to non-linear editing system, using computers with video editing software, linear video editing, using videotape vision mixing when working with live video signals

Early video recorders were very expensive and the quality loss of copying was so great, that 2 inch Quadruplex videotape was edited by visualising the recorded track with ferrofluid, cutting with a razor blade or guillotine cutter and splicing with tape.

Mr Datta said “The knowledge of camera footages and sense of lighting is also necessary such as long shots and mid shots and the same is true for light.”

Modern non-linear editing systems are computer-based, though there was a transitional analog period using multiple source VCRs or LaserDisc players. Footage is played into a computer and captured on a hard drive. Editors use software such as Avid’s Media Composer and Xpress Pro, Apple’s Final Cut Pro and Adobe’s Premiere Pro to manipulate captured footage.

High definition video is becoming more popular and can be readily edited using the same software along with related motion graphics programs. Clips are arranged on a timeline, music tracks and titles are added, effects can be created, and the finished program is rendered into a finished video. The video may then be distributed in a variety of ways including DVD, web streaming, Quicktime Movies, iPod, CD-ROM or Videotape.

For weddings etc only basic editing techniques are needed says Datta. That can be converted into DVD’s and VCD’s. But for video editors, the knowledge of PAL (Phase Automatic Line) is significant in learning about broadcasting and electronic media.

To get good jobs in video editing, one should complete courses like diploma in video editing, diploma in video editing and sound recording, certificate course in non-linear editing, post graduate diploma in post production (editing), diploma in film editing etc.

Digital video editors should hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in media arts or animation.

Salary in Goa starts with Rs 3,500 and goes up to Rs 25,000 where as for professionals in metropolitan cities, the salary starts with Rs 1.5 lakh and goes up to Rs 3 lakh