Editing Video

There is a range of software you could use to edit your recordings. Here are a few options:

iMovie

If you have a Mac device, you can find iMovie amongst the preinstalled applications. iMovie allows for basic video and audio editing!

To import your recording:

  1. Click Import Media and select your recording.
  2. The media should appear in your library.
  3. You can drag the clip down into the timeline.

Simple Editing Functions:

Splitting clips:

  1. Place your playhead to the point at which you wish to split.
  2. Hit Cmmd + B or navigate Modify > Split Clip.

Trimming clips:

  1. Drag the beginning or end of the clip to make it shorter or longer.

Note: You can zoom into each clip to make it easier to see where you want to split or trim.

Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1Hd60lwOyA

Adobe Premiere

Adobe Premiere is a versatile editing software that can be used to edit video and audio that is available for download for Harvard students here. Here are a few basics to get started:

To import your recording:

  1. Navigate File > Import.
  2. Here, you can select the clip(s) you wish to import. They will appear in the Media Browser.
  3. From here, you can drag the clips you want to use into the timeline.

Simple Editing Functions:

Splitting clips:

  1. Select the razor tool from the panel next to the timeline.
  2. Click on the area you want to split to split the clip.

Trimming clips:

  1. Drag the end or beginning of the clip to the point where you want to trim up to.

Note: Zooming into your timeline will give you a more accurate idea of where you are splitting or trimming.

Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzO3vrFaPRU

For more Premiere tutorials from the Learning Lab, see this page.

Adobe Spark

Adobe Spark is a great free tool that you can use to create a variety of media.

Getting Started:

  1. Select Slideshow.
  2. Name your project.
  3. Select Promote an Idea.

Adding Video:

  1. Click the + icon.
  2. Select Video.
  3. Select your video file.
  4. Drag the white edges of the bar to select which part of the video you wish to import.
  5. Click Save to add this section to the slide.

Adding Voiceover:

  1. Click the red microphone icon at the bottom of the screen to record into the project.

Trimming clips:

  1. Click the pencil icon in the top right hand corner of the screen.
  2. Select the scissor tool.
  3. You can drag across the clip to trim the parts you don’t want out.

Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zH5LNt8dH8

DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is a great, free video editing tool that you can download on any device. Here’s a quick rundown of some basics:

To import your recording:

  1. Navigate your mouse to the timeline and right click.
  2. Select Import Media.
  3. Select the files you wish to import and click Import.

Simple Editing Functions:

Splitting clips:

  1. Select the blade tool and make a cut where you wish to split.

Trimming clips:

  1. Select the trim edit mode tool.
  2. Drag the end of the clip to the point where you want to trim up to.

Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63Ln33O4p4c&feature=emb_logo