Materials Needed:
- Computer with internet access
- Video editing software (e.g., DaVinci Resolve, OpenShot, iMovie, CapCut - free options; Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro - paid options)
- A small collection of short video clips (downloaded royalty-free clips, or clips shot by the student using a phone/camera)
- Paper and pencil, or a digital drawing tool/app
Introduction: Editing as Art (10 mins)
Welcome! Today, we're exploring the exciting world of video editing, not just as a technical skill, but as an art form! Think about your favorite movies or YouTube videos. How do they keep you engaged? A big part of that magic is editing! Editing is like being a visual artist, but instead of paint, you use video clips, sound, and time to create a feeling, tell a story, or share an idea. It involves principles similar to traditional art, like composition (how things are arranged), rhythm (the pace), and color.
Activity 1: Deconstructing the Cut (15 mins)
Let's watch a few short video examples (like movie trailers or exciting commercials). Pay close attention to how quickly the shots change (pacing) and how they switch from one shot to the next (transitions - are they sharp cuts? slow fades?).
Discussion Questions:
- How did the fast cuts in the action trailer make you feel? (Excited, tense?)
- How did slower cuts or fades in a different clip affect the mood? (Calmer, more thoughtful?)
- Did the order of the shots tell a mini-story?
- Can you see how the editor made choices to guide your eye and emotions?
Activity 2: Planning Your Vision - Storyboarding (10 mins)
Before filmmakers shoot or edit, they often plan using storyboards – like a comic strip for a video! Let's try it. Think of a very simple action, like someone pouring a glass of water, opening a door, or a pet doing something funny. Now, sketch 3-5 simple 'shots' or pictures that would show this action step-by-step. Think about: 1. A wide shot showing the whole scene. 2. A medium shot showing the person/pet. 3. A close-up shot of the action (hand pouring water, paw batting a toy). This helps you visualize your edit!
Activity 3: Your First Edit! (20-30 mins)
Time to jump into the software! (Choose one pre-installed software). We'll start simple.
- Import your sample video clips into the software.
- Drag a few clips onto the 'timeline'.
- Practice the 'cut' tool (often looks like a razor blade) to trim the start or end of clips.
- Arrange 3-5 clips in the order you storyboarded (or try a different order!).
- See how the clips play one after another. Focus just on basic cuts for now.
- Experiment! What happens if you make the clips very short? What if you change the order?
The goal isn't perfection, but to understand how arranging clips creates meaning.
Wrap-up & Reflection (5 mins)
What did you discover? Did changing the order of your clips change the mini-story? How did it feel to 'control' time and sequence? Video editing is a powerful tool for expression. Keep practicing with simple projects, and soon you'll be telling your own amazing visual stories! Think about watching movies this week – pay extra attention to the editing!