What are the Different Types of Movie Editing Software?

Movie editing software is essential for taking raw footage and turning it into a complete, smooth, and finished product. Whether you are editing a homemade independent feature film or putting together clips of a child's birthday for grandma, movie editing software can help create a professional and emotionally affecting film. Depending on your editing needs, there are a wide variety of programs available to help you achieve your goals.

For simple video editing, both free and paid programs are easily found online and in computer stores. Most of these programs allow you to create scene transitions, such as fades and irises, add audio tracks, and insert stock or downloaded images. Some, such as Adobe® Premiere® Elements, allow you to add green-screen effects, fast or slow motion, and create scrolling credits.

Most of these basic programs allow you to create disc options such as menus and widescreen formats. Some, like Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum, will even allow the creation of BluRay® discs for higher quality images. Creating custom menus and viewing options may help to enhance the professionalism of your product, which may in turn garner wider interest in your film or videos.

Because the choices are so vast for the home video editor, many guides are available to help you choose the right movie editing software for you. A simple search online will lead you to side-by-side comparisons, professional reviews, and even clips of films created with different editing software. Be sure to examine the list of available support features before purchasing; if you run into trouble, you want to be certain there are expert advisors to help you.

For the professional video editor, the choices are more expansive, pricey, and require a better understanding of editing capabilities. These systems require a lot of computer memory and may be too large to run on a basic home computer. Be sure your computer system can handle a professional-level product before wasting money.

Most professional quality programs include features such as on-screen audio mixers to fix or alter sound and advanced color correction tools to improve image. Some programs require special additions to your computer, such as keyboards that create shortcuts to specific actions. Professional movie editing software is meant to streamline the process of film editing, and is primarily found in high-quality studios and post-production houses. However, should you have the money and capacity, these programs are available to the public as well.

Although full versions of professional quality movie editing software typically cost a lot of money, most companies offer a significant student or educational discount. If you may qualify for this discount, be certain to ask about it before purchasing. Depending on the company and product, you may be able to save up to 50% off the sticker price.

Whether you are editing home video or creating your great masterpiece, movie editing software will doubtless enhance the look and marketability of your film. Although some programs may take a while to master, a wealth of support and tips are available online. By learning to use either basic or professional programs, aspiring filmmakers can move far closer to a viable career in editing and post-production.