This Editing Trick Will Save you DAYS

Introduction

If you're a video editor or just starting out with your own video projects, there’s a clever technique I wish I had discovered three years ago. One of the most common edits you’ll find yourself doing is the zoom cut. You know the one: something amusing happens, and you quickly punch in on the webcam view. You’ve probably seen it countless times and used it just as often. Over the course of editing a project, you might find yourself performing this zoom cut multiple times—perhaps even five, ten, or more!

Getting Started with the Zoom Cut

To efficiently implement the zoom cut technique, let’s dive into the process step by step.

1. Create a New Timeline: Begin by going into your media pool and creating a new timeline. This will be the foundation for your zoom edits.

2. Duplicate Your Video: Take your video and place it into the new timeline. This is crucial for having two angles to work with.

3. Apply the Zoom Effect: On the duplicated video track, apply your zoomed-in version of the footage across the entire track. This sets up the stage for seamless angle switching.

4. Convert to Multicam Clip: Here comes the secret sauce! Locate your timeline in the media pool, right-click on it, and select the option to convert the timeline to a multicam clip. This functionality may vary slightly if you are using different editing software, like Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.

5. Relink to Audio: After converting to a multicam clip, return to your original timeline. Grab the multicam timeline and bring in just the video. Make sure to drag it down to your original timeline and relink it to the audio.

The Magic of Hot Swapping

Now that you have everything set up, you can effortlessly switch between the two angles using keyboard shortcuts. In DaVinci Resolve, for instance, you can hot swap between the original view and the zoomed-in version by pressing Alt + 1 and Alt + 2. This trick not only speeds up your editing process but also enhances your storytelling ability by allowing you to showcase different perspectives quickly.

With this technique in your toolkit, you’ll find that what once took you ages can now be completed in a fraction of the time!

Keywords

• Video Editing
• Zoom Cut
• Timeline
• Multicam Clip
• DaVinci Resolve
• Hot Swapping

FAQ

Q: What is a zoom cut in video editing?

A: A zoom cut is an editing technique where you switch to a zoomed-in version of a video clip to emphasize a specific moment, often used for comedic or dramatic effect.

Q: How do I create a new timeline in my video editing software?

A: To create a new timeline, navigate to your media pool in your editing software, and select the option to create a new timeline, which can usually be found in the context menu or toolbar.

Q: What is a multicam clip?

A: A multicam clip allows you to combine multiple angles or versions of a video into a single clip, enabling easy switching between them during the editing process.

Q: Do I need to use DaVinci Resolve to perform this technique?

A: While this technique is illustrated using DaVinci Resolve, similar functionality exists in other editing software like Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro, though the steps might differ slightly.

Q: How can I switch between angles quickly in DaVinci Resolve?

A: You can switch between your camera angles quickly by using keyboard shortcuts. In DaVinci Resolve, use Alt + 1 for the original angle and Alt + 2 for the zoomed-in angle.