How can I practice editing?

I'm going to be working on directing my own short(s) pretty soon and would like to try and be my own editor. I have no experience editing and was wondering if anyone had some ways I can learn and practice? Maybe there's some raw footage to be found somewhere out there? Any ideas guys?
 
just go out and film random stuff, leaving the camera on as much as possible

What?! No.

If you're going to be directing/editing some shorts, the way to get practice is by directing/editing some shorts. No need to practice post-production before you even start production. Just get out there and do it! :yes:

Do some research first. You're going to learn plenty of things the hard way. Try to minimize that by reading-up on what others have done.
 
Here you go... footage: http://yafiunderground.com/index.php?page=bolts&title=Y.A.F.I.:Nuts2Bolts

I'm pretty sure there's a script linked on there as well, this was shot for a contest here a few years back. It never came to completion for me due to audio issues, but the picture is just fine and will work to get you editing... if you want a REALLY intensive edit that will teach you the power of editing... I have 47 hours of footage that is all unslated that will really push your will to continue ;) It'll make about a 30-45 minute short feature when all is said and done.
 
Dalton,

I think you have the right idea trying to grasp being an editor before tackling directing. They aren't mutually exclusive things. A good director is well versed in all aspects of production. You need to give credence to that belief. A director needs to think through all the logistics that will be encountered during shooting (and what can and cannot be accomplished with editing). Also, in my experience, thinking with my editing cap helps shape the way I write my screenplays. It also dictates the kind of shots I want to get (paying mind to what shots help tell the story or follow the guidelines of editing - 180 degree rule etc). That said, I think this is a good decision on your part and I commend you for it. My advice for you, outside of going out and shooting some footage (it doesn't matter what - you could simply practice by making a montage), would be to use what's called "found footage" - something off pre-existing media (youtube, a DVD, etc) and recut a scene or sequence to convey a different meaning than what was originally intended by those content creators. We see this all the time. All those fan trailers online that take movies we all know and love and put a new spin on them. I'll give you a few examples...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T5_0AGdFic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmkVWuP_sO0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMWpxTK7q2s

These examples all go to show the immense power of suggestion and story telling which can be influenced by the editing process alone. As an editor, you are a director - you are the second line of direction after the auteur directs his actors. To be able to wear both hats is a powerful thing and you will be better served by doing so. I wish you the best of luck with everything.

Happy Filmmaking!

Best Regards,
Anthony Mormile
 
do like i do...

find a video on youtube, do an edit, and see the results

i took this as base materials

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41QFL4QB3NE

found some stuff from avatar and sounds from other places and made this in less than an hour...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8NDE-yIT_A
 
Rip a dvd of movie to your hard drive and edit that. I did it with a couple of films before I had a camera. If you don't have any decent editing software, you can convert a dvd to avi and edit the video in Avidemux and the audio in Audacity. It's crude, but a good place to start.
 
for my first editing practice i filmed someone walking my dog around the block.. did my best to keep doing new angles and shots and have smooth edits. that's all i focused on, no stabilization, no light reflector, or even white balance. that wasn't the point, just editing. That way i didn't have to stress or think about any of the other elements besides framing and cuts

also i found the book Grammar of the Film Language very helpful for framing and editing. although it has drawings of naked women and clothed men, so some people find it sexist
 
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I think making a short film, even if it doesn't have a great script is a good way of learning editing.

Also making experimental films are a fun way to learn editing, and learn techniques that may be useful when making films.

Try to notice how films are edited when you watch them, try to watch different types of films, narrative and experimental, heck even notice how some good music videos are edited. Always continue to learn, you'll get better every time you try editing.
 
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