{"id":60170,"date":"2015-07-30T10:03:55","date_gmt":"2015-07-30T15:03:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=60170"},"modified":"2015-07-30T11:40:12","modified_gmt":"2015-07-30T16:40:12","slug":"5-tips-editing-cinematic-wedding-highlight-videos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/5-tips-editing-cinematic-wedding-highlight-videos\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips for Editing Cinematic Wedding Highlight Videos"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editing wedding videos can easily become overwhelming. That’s why preparation and storytelling are key to a successful edit.<\/h2>\n

When editing wedding projects, you’re typically working on two projects at once. A highlight reel that will go online, and a full-length film for the couple to enjoy. Full-length films are pretty standard fare. You showcase the day as it happened.\u00a0It’s the highlight reel that has revolutionized the industry over the past 10 years.<\/strong>\u00a0Being able to share your wedding video online for all of your friends and family to see has become the most requested item. In fact, there are couples who only<\/em> want the highlight reel. Here are five ways to make your highlight reels stand out.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Plan\u00a0Out Transitions<\/h3>\n

Planning your transitions ahead of time will really help you out in the editing bay. When shooting B-roll, don’t be afraid to move the camera off of your subject<\/strong>. \u00a0Consider panning or sliding out of one shot and into another. When you feel like you have an idea for two shots to go together, pan off of your subject. Move to your next shot, pan in the same direction and stop. Then you can apply a\u00a0cross dissolve<\/strong>\u00a0to create a seamless look.<\/p>\n

Here’s an example from one of my own\u00a0wedding videos. I used a Kessler Stealth<\/a>\u00a0slider to achieve\u00a0this look. I set up the slider on a tripod behind a makeup cabinet. I start at the\u00a0left<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0end of the slider and focus on the bridesmaid. Then I would\u00a0slide to the right<\/em><\/strong>, which allowed the makeup cabinet to come into frame. Then I moved to the mother of the bride on the other side of the salon, and set up behind another cabinet. I set up the slider and placed the camera all the way on the right<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0end, which was the stopping point. Set focus, then move the slider back to the starting point on the\u00a0left<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0end. Finally slide to the right again<\/em><\/strong>. \u00a0Throw in a quick dissolve<\/strong> between the shots in post, and that’s it.<\/p>\n

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Another trick I frequently use is moving the camera into black.<\/strong> If you have a second shooter, have them walk right in front of the camera on cue. Then you can use that movement to\u00a0fade to black<\/strong>, rather than a typical stationary fade. If you don’t have a second shooter, then use a wedding guest. You can also use doorways, tables, or just about any object lying around. The darker and closer you get to an object, the easier the fade.<\/p>\n

\"FadeCrop2\"<\/a><\/p>\n

You can also use a\u00a0cross dissolve<\/strong> as well. Whichever gives you the best look.<\/p>\n

\"Cross-WalkCrop64\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If you have a rough edit that just doesn’t look right, try adding a layered effect. You can use\u00a0light leaks<\/strong>\u00a0to help transition from one scene to another. Be sure not to overuse this technique. It can easily start to distract the audience if you use it on every cut. It’s really easy to shoot light leaks on your own, or you can even\u00a0download free light leaks<\/a>. It’s best to use these during the reception, especially if the DJs setup provides a lot of cool lights to work with.<\/p>\n

\"Light-LeakCrop64\"<\/a><\/p>\n

There are also your standard cuts<\/strong>. Don’t be afraid of hard cuts, you\u00a0can make them look great. You can\u00a0use plenty of cross cuts<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0while the bride is having her makeup done and the groomsmen are getting dressed.\u00a0J-cuts and L-cuts<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>are perfect to use during the ceremony.<\/p>\n

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\u00a02. Order Clips in the Way That Tells The Best Story<\/h3>\n

Do you have to show everything in order? NO! In fact, I would recommend not doing that at all. You should weave clips together in the most engaging way possible.<\/strong> Save the order for the full-length film. One of the most frequent edits is starting a wedding highlight with a speech or the vows. Use this as a way to introduce us to the couple. Then you can show us everything else that happened during the day.<\/p>\n

One of the masters of this technique is Joe Simon<\/a> from The Delivery Men<\/a>. Watch as he jumps throughout the wedding day while learning so much about the couple from the father of the bride. Notice how engaged\u00a0<\/em>you become in their love story.<\/p>\n