Make your own Blockbuster

Professional editors are extremely well paid and so they should be. I've seen mediocre film stock turned into a super movie once the editor has had a go at it. It also takes years to learn the trade by there is nothing stopping you doing an edit on your ad for the web and making a good job at it.

Let's assume you have been shooting your 2 minute ad to sell one of your products. In fact may be a lot less than 2 minutes down to a 30 second ad.

You may have shot it a few times as you wasn't happy with particular parts.

You could have a fair bit to edit because unlike 35mm film stock for film it costs next to nothing with video.

You may only have a small part to edit which is all to the good.

Let's get started.

Take out everything you consider total rubbish, poor shots shaky shots, out of focus and long bits with nothing happening.

Now take the best master shots of the beginning middle and end and put that together.

Check all the footage left. Is it near the beginning etc? Put it in only if it adds to the value of getting your message across and of course follows the sequence of events.

Play around with the footage until you come up with a decent piece.

Add the title.

Now you can really bring it to life.

Music. Get the music in there. Something that blends in with the mood of the ad. DO NOT use copyrighted music. Find a site that offers free clips of music.

You don't need music blasting. Something in the background but you can start of with a crescendo as long as it does not swamp any words. It doesn't matter if you have a very short fanfare at the beginning.

Music will really bring your ad to life but use it sparingly.

Once this done you have a finished product to upload to the web.

Software for editing comes free with windows xp or vista. If you do use the windows version they won't be as good as a more careful edit. It all depends on what you have budget wise.

Like everything else editing software has become a lot cheaper. Look around, you may even find some decent free stuff.

Your ad maybe just one continuous shot over 30 odd seconds but if it's longer and need cuts then here is a tip. Either get down to your local video store and get some films or watch them on TV. A tape is better. You can rerun again. Now you are not sitting watching a movie. You are watching the edits. See how they cut. Hundreds of cuts per film. Don't zoom in. Move in. Dolly and crane shots. Take it all in and you will soon learn. At this stage especially on your first few ads do not use special effects. You are trying to get benefits across not a display of fireworks.

Just make your ad to get your message across in a crisp and confident way. With touches of music. Proper cuts if needed and it's a wrap. Get it on the net.

That's all folks till next time

Barry