Making Stock Footage Look More Professional

Stock footage is a great way to save time and money when it comes to

video production. Many use stock videos not only to fulfil online marketing

collaterals, but also for the completion ofsmall film projects. Sometimes, though,

using stock videos can be generic; one can expect to see the same video in other

presentations. To stand out, video editors should make the footage look more

professional. Here are some tips video editors may choose to follow in order to

make their project a far cry from being mundane.

High-exposure clips have a unique

cinematic appeal that may make audiences

think they’re seeing a high-quality picture.

High exposure footage has soft yet sharp

colour, and is always bright, but not glaring.

Adjusting the exposure of the footage

requires skills in digital manipulation of light

and ingenious blending of colours. Video

editors, however, should be careful when

adjusting the exposure, as one wrong move can make the footage look likework

by an amateur. The adjustment of light may hide some details in the video.

Heighten Exposure

Videos have different formats, and it’s

important that the editor ensures that all the

clips follow the same format. This is because

each format has its distinct picture quality

and feel. If most clips follow a DivX format,

the rest should follow the same.

Editors should be mindful when splicing

the stock footage and incorporating it into the

rest of the project. Otherwise, the transitions

within the project will be a mess. Before

rendering, the editors should check for abrupt

breaks between the videos they ownand the

stock footage.

Amateurs love using special effects. To

this regard, a professional video editor may

wish to create a distinction by using the

effects flawlessly. For instance, editors may

use minimalistic transition effects when

integrating typography or whatnot instead of

using flashy ones. Filters are also nice,

especially if the editors are dealing with

consistency during colour grading.

Be Consistent When it comes to File Format

Be Careful with Cutting

Play with Some Effects

Using stock footage will never be boring again. With consistency and an

imaginative mind, an editor can easily make any stock video more appealing than

before.

SOURCES:

http://www.videomaker.com/article/9437-editing-using-stock-footage

http://provideocoalition.com/pvcexclusive/story/editorial-to-color-grading-from-a-

colorists-pov

http://www.motionelements.com