Easy Video in 10 Days / 10

Cut back a long video to make it zing

My friend Robert Twigger told me he wanted a video to put on his website, aimed at writers looking for coaching and mentoring.

Rob (left) is a fellow author. Picture shows us together at Trinity College Dublin.

So without further ado, and no prep whatsoever, I interviewed Rob on Zoom for about ten mins.

Before I show you how I cut it to a mere 90 seconds – and then just 59 seconds – you’ll find it useful to watch the full raw (unedited) interview:

The editing process

For the first edit, known as a Rough Cut, I removed myself entirely, and removed bits that Rob obviously wouldn’t want or need.

THEN I cut a further 30 seconds.

Watch the 90-second Rough Cut, and immediately afterwards (in the same video) the 59-second Fine Cut. The Rough Cut is in black and white:

I challenge you, as you watch, to tell me how I cut 30 seconds from it?!

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Your (Final!) Task

Edit one of your existing videos, cutting the length by one-third. Record a new voiceover.

Extra Tip: Don’t worry too much about synchronising your lips. I quite like being lazy and recording totally new words over clips of myself talking about something else – or not moving my lips at all:

If you’re in the Private Telegram Group, please post yours there.

That’s the end of the course, but it’s not too late to join the group, if you still want support and accountability.

JPF