Video Editing doesn't necessarily start in the edit suite. Actually, it should start with the pre-production process which is when you need to think about what you need for your production. Let me rephrase that. If you don't think about the edit during the pre-production stage, you're going to be in a heap of trouble. This is because you definitely need everything properly shot and ready to organize in the edit.

Where and when to start

Let's start from the beginning. One would think that writing the script is the first place to start. Not true. The first place to start your entire production is by asking yourself and your client a few questions such as:

Who is the audience that will watch this video?

Why am I producing this video?

Is it a business video or a consumer video?

What's the concept? Is there a storyline? Is this cinema verte, where we shoot whatever happens, as it happens? Or is this an entirely scripted production?

How long is the video?

What's the budget?

What equipment and people resources do I have?

When is the due date for the final video?

Is the client wanting to get involved in any or all phases of the production process,

including editing the video? This is the time to establish who, what, when, how, etc.Are all answers realistic? If not, talk to the client or reassess how you can make this happen.

The Script

Once these questions have been addressed, you're ready to write your script. Sometimes an outline of ideas will move the process along. But after you have your outline completed, you need a script to really nail everything down.

The script identifies what shots you need and the ultimate order they'll be in during your edit. So the first thing you'll need to do is prepare your script and break the video into consecutive shots, which you'll later edit.

A script is divided into two sides of the paper. What you'll see in the video is on the left and what you'll hear in the video is on the right. You can switch it around, but the point is that a script tells everyone what will be seen and what will be heard in every shot.

Make sure that you identify and have everything you need for each shot. This includes making sure that you have adequate lighting and audio. Either make a list of the items you need for each shot and include them in the script, or write them down on another piece of paper. 'Items' include actors, wardrobe, props, crew, location, lighting, audio, and whatever you need for that shot. I mention this because if it isn't shot right, it may be impossible to fix during the video editing process.

During the scripting process write down how you visualize the video coming together. What type of transitions will you use in between shots? What, if any, special effects will you use? Caution: using too many special effects is the mark of an amateur, so use them sparingly.

Part 2 focuses on your computer and organizing your footage.

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