How to combine videos like a pro
It would be misleading to declare that single-piece videos don’t exist. They do. For example, some family chronicles may be shot as a single frame with a moving cam. Nevertheless, it’s quite a niche genre, so in many cases, you’ll have to "stitch" your video project out of various recording snippets, photos, GIFs, and other content types.
Even if this task seems self-evident, there are certain points to consider. But before you start, you'll need a handy editing tool. A plain video merger is not enough, as during the work on the project, you’ll need to adjust different chunks, altering their playback speed, color scheme, and other parameters.
This topic is actually deeper than you may think. To combine video clips smoothly and make the output look coherent, you have to master transitions and cuts. Also, invest some time into creating a storyboard and other pre-production activities, and get a clear idea of what you’re trying to reach in the end.
Let’s dive deeper and take a closer look at how to combine videos.
Select the ingredients thoroughly
It’s not enough to take several random visuals and cobble them together. Your video should tell a story, engage, and grip. Look through the footage and mark the moment you want to include in your project. Cut out the best parts and save them as separate files. Think about what kind of audio may fit this recording and where you can get it. Define the general style of the video and make sure all the selected elements suit it.
Make sure your chunks match
Has it ever happened to you to compile a school assignment out of different essays downloaded from the Internet and not notice that they all have different formatting?
Don’t fall into this trap again. Make sure your chunks have the same color scheme, video resolution, orientation, etc. There are "mono" tools for each separate action, alternatively, you can use an ultimate video editor.
Mind transitions
You can’t avoid them anyway, so make them count and tell the story. On the other hand, don’t overuse transitions, let your video look natural.
Don’t ignore other content types
Even the simplest video combiner allows working with various types of visuals, such as pictures, photos, and GIFs. More complicated tools include captions, special effects, audio tracks, stickers, etc. Needless to say, if you use different types of content on parallel tracks, they should match and align perfectly.
Choose the editing tool wisely
As we have already said, the market offers a wide range of software for every budget. If you need to smoosh just a couple of short clips that do not require deep, intense editing, a simple tool with limited functionality may be the best option. For more complicated cases, opt for multi-tools.
FAQs
What is video merging?
This is a process when you combine several visuals (videos and photos) into one recording one after another.
Do I need any professional video merger software?
Yes, if you are Stanley Kubrick, but in that case, you are probably already using one. If you are a vlogger or an amateur video director, you can well avail yourself of free online software.
Can I combine videos on a mobile device?
Of course, especially if you use an online editing service. Also, modern smartphones may have built-in video editing software, and if it’s not enough, you can always install the app you require.
Punchline
Merging videos may not be the most complicated endeavor you face in video editing, but it still has its secrets, which we are happy to share.