The project
Choose five to eight clips with a common place, subject, or mood. Include different shot sizes and at least one moment of movement. Make a 30–45 second film with one title and a music bed you have permission to use.
1. Find the visual arc
Review the sources before arranging them. Choose an opening that creates curiosity, a middle that develops the subject, and a final image that feels resolved. Write a one-sentence description of what the film should leave the viewer feeling.
Mark the strongest source ranges and append them to a sequence. Leave a little room around the action while building the rough cut.
2. Shape the rhythm
Watch the rough cut without stopping. Trim repetition and vary shot duration according to the amount of information in each image. A wide view may need time to read; a close detail can sometimes communicate quickly.
Use musical accents when they support the visual action, but avoid cutting on every beat by default. Check that the film still makes sense with the music muted.
3. Establish a consistent finish
Balance neighboring shots in Color before applying a shared visual direction. Reduce the mix of a look when it overwhelms a shot. Inspect the darkest and brightest parts of the sequence.
Add a flat title in a quiet part of the composition. Use restrained typography and preview its entire entrance and exit.
4. Give the ending room
Choose where the final picture and music should resolve. Shape the audio fade and check for an unintended black tail or clipped ending. Keep the last title visible long enough to read.
Review your result
Save a version, export a review file, and watch it away from the timeline. Note only the changes that improve the film’s intended feeling. Return to the edit with that short list rather than adding effects by habit.