How to edit videos?

[Speedstang]

Alright, I'm almost certain this is in the wrong category, but I didn't know where to post this, sorry about that.

Anyways, I have to create a custom video for one of my classes with a group of people. Well, since I'm the one who knows computers/tech, I chose to edit the video, meaning I'll basically be putting together the video (It's being shot in many separate scenes), and doing all the special effects, but here's the issue: I HAVE NO IDEA HOW YOU EDIT VIDEO! Yes I know my hardware, software, photo editing, etc. but I have never dealt with video for 2 reasons: 1, never even had a video to work with, and 2: where are you supposed to edit video????? There's no Windows program that does that (except movie maker, but that was scrapped and my PC doesn't have it, but it was awful anyways). What do I do????? Is there any decent programs you guys know about that'll help? I'd like to try and design custom effects, I don't want a bunch of presets, and I'd prefer something that's not too overly complicated, as I don't have much time to learn it. Any good programs out there?

 

[RCFProd]

Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum should do it. Should teach you the basics on Youtube aswell and neither is it hard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIiNSul1q0c

 

[jimmysmitty]

The best video editing program I know of is Sony Vegas. It is not free though so you might need to get your class mates to shell out a bit to help but once you have it it can be a decent program to use for fixing up some nice videos.

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/vegassoftware

If you would rather try for free software you can look at the list here and see if any of the programs work for you:

http://www.techradar.com/us/news/software/applications/best-free-video-editing-software-9-top-programs-you-should-download-1136264

Just remember that free normally also means it might not be as full featured. Windows Movie Maker was great but didn;t have as many features as a professional editing program.

You could also try to download and install it:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-live/movie-maker

I have not tried it on Windows 8.1 or 10 so I don't know if it will work if you have 10. I know it will work on 7 though.

 

[tonnycassidy25]

premiere pro or hitfilm3 pro
both of them will do the job

 

[Speedstang]

Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum should do it. Should teach you the basics on Youtube aswell and neither is it hard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIiNSul1q0c

Oh my gosh, that's WAY WAY WAY out of my budget, $600?!?!?!?!?!?! I was looking for around $20 originally........

 

[Speedstang]

The best video editing program I know of is Sony Vegas. It is not free though so you might need to get your class mates to shell out a bit to help but once you have it it can be a decent program to use for fixing up some nice videos.

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/vegassoftware

If you would rather try for free software you can look at the list here and see if any of the programs work for you:

http://www.techradar.com/us/news/software/applications/best-free-video-editing-software-9-top-programs-you-should-download-1136264

Just remember that free normally also means it might not be as full featured. Windows Movie Maker was great but didn;t have as many features as a professional editing program.

You could also try to download and install it:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-live/movie-maker

I have not tried it on Windows 8.1 or 10 so I don't know if it will work if you have 10. I know it will work on 7 though.

I used movie maker before on older PC's, it drives me crazy, I feel like I'm doing a powerpoint or something.......
This is pretty expensive, but is it good? It seems to have some good features. http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/moviestudiope

 

[tonnycassidy25]

are you going to use the software for a long period or just for now ? if you re just going to use it once get 1 month subscription of premiere pro cc ($19.99)

 

[James Mason]

A free video editor.
http://www.shotcut.org/

As long as you're not needing the most professional video editing it will serve it's purpose.

 

[USAFRet]

Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum should do it. Should teach you the basics on Youtube aswell and neither is it hard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIiNSul1q0c

Oh my gosh, that's WAY WAY WAY out of my budget, $600?!?!?!?!?!?! I was looking for around $20 originally........

For something significantly cheaper, see Corel Video Studio - $65
http://www.videostudiopro.com/en/products/videostudio/pro/
or
Adobe Premier Elements - $70
http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere-elements.html

Yes, Vegas or Premier Pro is 'better'. But if you're just starting out, the two above are good starting points.
Free? Windows Movie Maker. You will gouge your eyes out.

 

[Speedstang]

Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum should do it. Should teach you the basics on Youtube aswell and neither is it hard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIiNSul1q0c

Oops, just realized what you meant, it's just that the video you gave me was for the $600 version. Sorry about that.

 

[Speedstang]

Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum should do it. Should teach you the basics on Youtube aswell and neither is it hard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIiNSul1q0c

Oh my gosh, that's WAY WAY WAY out of my budget, $600?!?!?!?!?!?! I was looking for around $20 originally........

For something significantly cheaper, see Corel Video Studio - $65
http://www.videostudiopro.com/en/products/videostudio/pro/
or
Adobe Premier Elements - $70
http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere-elements.html

Yes, Vegas or Premier Pro is 'better'. But if you're just starting out, the two above are good starting points.
Free? Windows Movie Maker. You will gouge your eyes out.

What do you thing about the Sony Movie Studio 13 Platinum? In comparison to the ones you suggested? They cost more or less the same.

 

[jimmysmitty]

The standard Movie Studio is just $50 bucks. A bit more than the $600 top of the line Vegas Pro but you don't need the top of the line to do what you need.

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/buy/moviestudio

I did link an article with other free software but you would have to look through them and see what might work for you.

Again, free software is normally not as full featured as non-free software so you need to make the final choice.

 

[Speedstang]

The thing is I've always been interested in editing videos, just never knew where to start and I never had the motivation to until now. I'd like to get something I can use for other stuff as well after this, so I'm fine with a paid version if it'll work a lot better and do a lot more.

 

[USAFRet]

Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum should do it. Should teach you the basics on Youtube aswell and neither is it hard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIiNSul1q0c

Oh my gosh, that's WAY WAY WAY out of my budget, $600?!?!?!?!?!?! I was looking for around $20 originally........

For something significantly cheaper, see Corel Video Studio - $65
http://www.videostudiopro.com/en/products/videostudio/pro/
or
Adobe Premier Elements - $70
http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere-elements.html

Yes, Vegas or Premier Pro is 'better'. But if you're just starting out, the two above are good starting points.
Free? Windows Movie Maker. You will gouge your eyes out.

What do you thing about the Sony Movie Studio 13 Platinum? In comparison to the ones you suggested? They cost more or less the same.

I've not tried that, so I can't comment.
But I can't see it being any better or worse at that price point.

I'm partial to the Corel solution, simply because I've been using some version of that for years. And it works.

1. Free
2. A little under $100
3. Stupid expensive.

Those are pretty much the 3 tiers, increasing in capability.

 

[Speedstang]

I've not tried that, so I can't comment.
But I can't see it being any better or worse at that price point.

I'm partial to the Corel solution, simply because I've been using some version of that for years. And it works.

1. Free
2. A little under $100
3. Stupid expensive.

Those are pretty much the 3 tiers, increasing in capability.[/quotemsg]

Is the Corel one simple to use with good effects? I was looking at some of the features on the Movie Studio 13 Platinum, it looks really easy to use and it has basically everything I want. I don't want to buy one and then regret it though.

 

[USAFRet]

Is the Corel one simple to use with good effects? I was looking at some of the features on the Movie Studio 13 Platinum, it looks really easy to use and it has basically everything I want. I don't want to buy one and then regret it though.

"good effects" is subjective. But it has a 30 day trial, to see if it is what you are looking for.

 

[James Mason]

A free video editor.
http://www.shotcut.org/

As long as you're not needing the most professional video editing it will serve it's purpose.

eh hem.

 

[RCFProd]

What you on about, Movie Studio Platinum 13 is 50-75 dollars? It's perfect for you.

 

[Speedstang]

My bad, forgot to select a best answer D: Anyways I ended up going with Sony Movie Studio Suite, as I found a seller on Ebay for like $80

So far it's done a whole lot more than I even thought it could do, and I'm loving all the extra sound editing stuff

Thanks for the help guys!