Video Editing

Video Editing

Aside from the basic editing features like dragging footage around and trimming it with mouse and keyboard, the features I use the most are:

·         Footage bins for roughly organizing imported footage.

·         Cross dissolves and fade-to-black transitions

·         Audio crossfades

·         Audio level adjustment using keyframes

·         Image position adjustment using keyframes

·         Automated synchronization of additional audio tracks

·         Footage speed adjustments

·         Basic color correction

·         Titling with position keyframes

Andrew's answer addresses common editing features. I will mention some of the more common effects features in applications like Adobe After Effects:

1.    Chroma Key or Green Screen removal

2.    Compositing multiple elements together

3.    Titles

4.    Stabilization

5.    Motion tracking

6.    Background replacement

7.    More advanced color grading

There are a virtually unlimited number of things these programs can do, but those are among the more common ones they are used for.

The most commonly used are the simplest functions:

1. The normal cursor, with which clips are selected and moved

2. The razor tool, which splits a clip into two clips at a designated point.

3. The delete key.

These basic, elementary functions are the foundation of film and video editing, dating back to when celluloid film was edited with razor blades and glue. They are so frequently used that most editors don't consciously notice using them, and the bulk majority of all video editing can be performed with just these 3 tools.

Jargon Defined: Trim, Cut, Split, and Splice