Editing Your Corporate Video: What You Need to Know for a Satisfactory Result

So you already have your corporate video for your company - and whether your company is based in London or another area, you know how important it is to add credibility to what you have to offer. After months of hard work and planning, you now have something to show for all your efforts, and can honestly say that you have done your best to make a brilliant video. But, it doesn’t end there – you still have to consider the editing of your video in order to make it as perfect as can be.

But even if you rely on a professional video editing company for corporate video production in London, when it comes to editing your corporate video, it still pays to have a basic idea of how editing works and how it can be used to your advantage. If you know what you want, then you can more easily impart this to the editing company, and everyone will be more-than-satisfied in the end.

The different styles of video editing

There are basically two different styles of video editing: non-linear and linear. Non-linear, also referred to as ‘film style’ video editing, is more appropriate for short video projects which are also more structured. With non-linear video editing, you can expect the different segments of the video to be organised into various clips, so that all the shots can be easily accessed and then edited (lengthened or shortened, moved, or even removed according to your specifications). In addition, non-linear video editing allows the editor to easily cut and paste any changes to the actual audio or video.

More on the non-linear video editing method 

For non-linear video editing, the editor(s) will apply several phases. They will first make use of rough editing, where the original video material is edited by choosing some of the best footage or clips. In this phase, no audio mixes or transitions will be added, as the structure is still in the process of assembly to make sure the story is clear.
The second phase of non-linear video editing is the tight edit, where transitions and music during and in-between scenes are added and the sound is cleaned up as well. This is also where titles and credits are added. The third and final phase of video editing is the final mastering, where the entire programme is played and then recorded onto your preferred medium, be it a hard drive, a DVD, or Blu-Ray, among others.

More on the linear video editing method

The second style of video editing is the linear method, also known as traditional video editing. With this, the editing process involves copying the video and the audio from one tape to another. Keep in mind that with linear video editing, changes cannot easily be undone once the editing is finished. Linear video editing is admittedly more complex and time-consuming than non-linear video editing, as the editor has to go through metres of tape just to find a particular shot, and the editor needs to have a very clear concept of the order of the various shots in order to minimise editing time. However, linear video editing is more ideal for longer video projects (30 minutes or more).

Corporate video production experts such as Raw Productions are also quick to point out the importance of labelling during the editing process, which will then be included in the final printed media for future information and use. These labels include titles, sub-titles, the list of producers, and the length of the final video.

Having a good idea of what video editing is all about – and what to expect from it – will help you determine exactly what you want for your finished product – and in the end, you can rest easy in the knowledge that you have a brilliant corporate video in your hands.