6 Steps to Edit Videos Fast (in any app)
I’ve edited 1800+ various videos for last 9 years. That’s a lot.
Without simple and efficient step-by-step process I wound’t achieve this performance.
My video editing workflow is pretty simple and automised. And it works in any video editing app: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, etc.
Video version of this blog post:
1. Organising Footage
It’s key when you editing both small and huge projects. And this is the very first topic I speak about in my online courses.
Create templates with simple folder structure:
- 01_VIDEO – where we store all video footage. You can make separate folders for A-Roll, B-Roll or cameras used on scene.
- 02_AUDIO – where we store all audio tracks, sound effects and music.
- 03_PROJECT – Pro tip: put in this folder empty project.
- 04_MISC – for various files (pdf docs, photos, some information about project itself, etc.)
- 05_EXPORT – for draft and final versions of videos.
I have two templates: one for client work, one for YouTube-videos.
Main difference – additional folder 06_YT_THUMBNAIL for thumbnail with template of my .psd file.
Duplicate this folder structure any time when you need to edit new project.
Keep your footage and all needed files organised. Mess drains energy and time.
2. Creating Sequences
Before editing I manage all footage inside editing app. If I have several talking heads, I synchronise audio with video. Need multi-cam sequence – create it.
It’s much easier to create all sequences before adding additional assets (music, sound effects, from miscellaneous folder). More files in the project – more time you need to spend to find needed materials.
3. Editing A-Roll
After it I can work with raw footage.
First action – correct audio using custom presets (volume, noise reduction, basic EQ). Usually audio is quiet which adds discomfort.
Then I collect all clips in one main project and make rough cut.
Pro Tip: don’t use blade tool. There are few shortcuts that can replace this blade tool which is set on Q and W (Trim Start and Trim Edit in FCP)
I delete all bad stuff not accurately on purpose. I don’t like this part of editing that’s why I’m trying to finish it fast.
After rough cut I usually make a break because you can get blurry eyes because of boring and monotone actions.
I used Adobe Premiere Pro for 7 years, but switched to Final Cut Pro after upgrading on Mac.
Why? You can learn more in this video:
4. Editing B-Roll
Then I’m starting to clear all small issues and bring life to the video adding B-roll, titles and applying different effect like animation for scale, position and saturation. Just to add more dynamic.
FCP tip: If I have a lot of B-roll footage, I usually pick favourite parts of clips and use them. It’s much easier to handle using Favourite and keyword feature. More about it in this video.
Then I watch all video again and try to compress it, make it shorter.
Usually if it’s talking head video, you can delete up to 20-30% of edited footage.
Notice repetition of same information during video multiple times? Delete it.
This seems like not a big deal but pace of video drops down.
For example, in one video I repeated phrase “this is an old vessel” 6 times in first draft. 12 useless seconds because of one phrase.
After it – chill.
Seriously, take more breaks. Video editing consumes so much energy if you want to work efficient at maximum speed.
5. Adding Style
If I like my results, I start to color grade video and add style to it. I use collection of assets that I gather during creative journey: adjustment layers, effects, transitions, music, sound effects, presets.
- Part of these assets you can download enrolling in my video editing courses for Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro. More about it at the end of article.
This is a final touch.
In case you need to make some small changes (delete part of A-Roll) this will require a lot of additional actions.
That’s why no need to rush applying all effects when you didn’t edited A-Roll.
6. Exporting Video
Again, for export I use custom made presets made for specific purposes (16:9 1080p YouTube-video, 9:16 Instagram Reels, 1:1 LinkedIn video post, stock footage with maximum bitrate possible, etc).
But that’s not all. I watch exported video at normal speed to find mistakes I need to correct.
In case of using Premiere Pro, it can ruin your video because app lost some footage or didn’t apply Warp Stabilizer.
Make additional check – send final video to client.
Get paid. You’re great.
As you noticed, I’m a big fan of optimisation, systemising work to do everything fast and efficient.
If you’re new in video editing world and/or want to improve your workflow, I have two online courses about Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro.
Each course contains:
- Main Part – full process from organising footage to exporting the final video. Test footage is also provided.
- Bonus Lessons – detailed look of different features that will boost your editing workflow. Bonus videos are independent so you can watch them in any order.
- Bonus Assets – stock footage, sound effects, music, etc. that I’ve created and found on the web during my content creation journey. You can download everything and use in your future projects.