How To Edit A Music Video - Workshop

When cutting a music video, you generally do it in a specific order, this being:

1. performance cut
2. narrative cut
3. effects work
4. colour

In order to picture sync, there is a time code attached to the song which we will play on an iPad at the
beginning of every take. You line up the number in the timeline with the number in the file play back screen and drag the video only as you don't want any sound to play over the top of the track. Once this is done you drag the file to the end and rename it on the timeline. It is important to note that while naming things being as matter-of-fact as possible make the editing job easier in the long run. While making a cut, cut down all of the filed on the timeline (excluding the sound) and drag it back (V key) to ensure everything remains ordered. When sound syncing you similarly find the sound on the rush, line it up in the timeline and drag it. If cutting on the beat, find the exact beat using the arrow keys to scrub through the sound until it is found with one hit of the > key. Organizing shots into contents makes it easier and more efficient for anyone to pick up the project and find the shots. Although this is often only edited by one person, if the editor becomes ill someone will need to be able to take over. 

There are 3 steps to follow in order to create a well thought out and cohesive video.

1. Listen to the music and illustrate what you hear (e.g. the first line of the song should see the singer's face as the audience need to establish who they are)
2. Group shots together (e.g. if there is a close up then zoom further out to another shot of the same thing)
3. Follow the movement of the main focus' body

It is really difficult to cut with the whole song in mind, so cutting 10 seconds at a time makes the task seem smaller and more manageable.