Dive Into Your Imagination

Hi this is J of the Dive Into Your Imagination team, and I will be giving some tips on digital video editing. One of my latest editing projects was to create a 30 second commercial for each of our DVD's. This was a quick and easy thing to do simply because of the nature of the audio track. It practically edits itself! Yes audio is an editors best friend. If you haven't already noticed, sound is the life-force of moving pictures. Try watching horror film with the sound off. It just isn't the same.

The main audio track in this commercial for the Visions of the Sea DVD is of Annie highlighting it's content. You know when you read the back of a DVD to see what its about? That's basically what she's doing in this. Annie's audio helped me determine what I needed in order to get my timeline going.

I listened to it over and over and over again. Coral reefs! Whale Sharks! Komodo Dragons! Easy. So I gathered the appropriate footage and I even picked out a song that could tie it all together. When choosing music, it's best to pay attention to what mood it puts you in. If a song make you feel disoriented then you probably don't want to use it, especially if your trying to sell a product. You also want to make sure that it does not compete with other elements on the timeline. In this example I definitely wouldn't want a song with lyrics.

After I gathered all my resources for the clip I could finally begin editing! Not only the video clips, but Annie's audio too. In fact, I spent the most time on editing her audio, because it's the commercial's foundation. Annie recorded a few takes and I had to cut things up and repiece them together on the timeline. I mostly had to cut out the pauses between lines. (dead air) When cutting dialogue it's important to keep it sounding natural, pay attention to the speaker's breathing and speaking pace, give them some room to breathe. But don't be afraid to decrease or even cut their "WHUU" inhaling sounds if you think it's too distracting.

After Annie's audio track was finalized I plopped the video on top of it to make sense of every word she says. You can see for yourself! I threw in some graphics and for the music track I listened for any points where it drowned out her voice and dropped the levels until she could be heard clearly.

So, if you find yourself having a hard time getting a handle of editing, then turn your attention to sound. Good luck.

oh ya...I started a forum, so if you ever have a question, click here.

LOVE LOVE The nature of the heart is to love. All I want is for you to be you. Pair of Bottlenose dolphins, Belize

Visions of the Sea Visions of the Sea DVD allows you to experience the most amazing life on our planet while either listening to an award winning sound track or inspirational stories of Annie’s experiences around the world. Visions of the Sea takes you face to face with Wh

The Camera Coach® The Camera Coach®, Your Guide to Creating Underwater Video demonstrates and teaches you the necessary techniques needed to produce great video above and below the surface. You will learn shooting, lighting and editing techniques. This DVD teaches you sh

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