Step 2: Editing
Most editing programs should have 3 major windows: the library window, the timeline window and the viewer window.
They may be called different things in different software, but we used these names because it describes their function.
The Library Window
The library window contains a list of all the video snippets you've captured. This window acts as a library of all the parts you'll be using for your video. The library window gives a centralized listing of what's available so you don't have to go looking around your computer for files.
As part of the window, there should be buttons that allow you to import/add photo files and music files into your current library of items.
The Timeline Window
The timeline window is usually at the bottom of the screen and stretches across your monitor. This window contains horizontal bars on beneath the other.
Each bar represents a layer somewhat like a layer of a cake. A layered cake may have a chocolate layer and and ice cream layer that make up the cake. A video is also made up of layers. Some layers are for video. Some are for music.
The number of layers available to you depends on your software.
The Viewer Window
The viewer window has a video player that lets you play your work in progress.
Pressing the play button that will play whichever video snippets and audio you have in our timeline window.
The Process
Most editing programs work on a drag and drop basis. You drag the video files or audio file from your library window into one of the layers in your timeline window. If you want to overlap video, you have one snippet on one layer and the 2nd snippet on another layer.
Transitions and effects
Depending on the program, you might have a transition bar and a transition library window. That window contains different types transitions that you can drag and drop onto the transition bar. Other programs, you highlight the portion you want to transition and click on the transition you want to apply.
Most programs should also have filter options. A filter is an effect that you can apply to a snippet. For example, most programs should have a "turn snippet to black and white" filter. You just select the snippet and click on the filter you want to apply.
Audio tracks
The audio track for your video should be automatically separated onto your first audio layer when you drag and drop the video snippet into the timeline. However, this is may not happen in all software.
If your software has multiple audio layers, it will give you more options as an editor. If your audio is separate from your video, you can delete the audio if it's terrible and replace it with music.
Importing Songs
On a CD, the audio format is CDA. For editing, the CDA format has to be converted to MP3 or WAV format. Luckily, most of the software packages should have that conversion feature built in.
If it's not built in, the new Windows Media Player will convert CD to MP3 format. You can also download a free program like CDex that will convert the CD audio to computer editable audio for you.
Check your software package to see which features is built in.
Is that all there is to it?
Yes and no.
That's technically what video editing is--taking a bunch of snippets and music and dragging them onto the timeline in the order that you want them in.
However, that's like saying that cooking is mixing ingredients together and cooking them at the right temperature. Knowing how to follow a recipe is doesn't necessarily mean you will create something edible.
So what makes a good video?
Choosing the right clips. Figuring out which order to put them in. Choosing the right elements to set tone and mood. These skills that make for good editing.
Good editing takes practice. Lots and lots of practice. Luckily your children tend to hang around for a long time so there should be plenty of time.
You can always go back and re-edit your footage as you get better.
Just like in life, making the right choices in video is a matter of experience. It's the difference between creating a video that makes you cry and creating a video that makes someone you don't know cry.