How to edit music videos: An ultimate guide to creating effective music videos

“A good edit is one you don't notice” is a common adage. And while some edits aim to stand out for effect, most editing should be seamless.

This is especially true for music videos. Unlike film editing, which focuses on serving the story, music video editing has more creative freedom. Freedom that allows editors to create a visual experience that directly connects with the music's emotions and lyrics.

In a nutshell, editing in music videos bridges the gap between the director's vision and the song's message.

In this post, I’ll share some battle-tested wisdom on how to edit music videos that will take your project from good to show stopping.

Let’s get into it.

1. Understand the Vision

Music videos have proven to be an effective medium for artists to establish a strong connection with their audience. According to a study, nearly half (49.7%) of all internet users watch music videos at least once a week.

It's no wonder that creating high-quality music videos is more important than ever and requires a collaborative effort.

Therefore, before getting started with any video editing software for Mac and Windows, you need to get a clear direction from the director, producer, artist, and their manager.

Whether it’s a detailed narrative or a loser, thematic approach, map it out.

Why? It’s quite simple.

Everyone has their own vision, and the first cut can be a marathon if it doesn't sync with theirs. As such, you need to sketch a storyboard to visualize the flow and ensure your edit has a clear direction.

Although storyboards offer a glimpse into the vision, your job lies in shaping the final style and achieving three key goals:

• Showcase the star: Put the artist front and center.
• Illustrate the music: Visually represent the song's mood and energy.
• Enhance the viewing experience: Create a video with a visually engaging and dynamic experience.

There might also be a narrative element to weave into the edit, ensuring its coherence.

Next, you need to understand the type of music you are dealing with. Analyze the song's structure, tempo, and emotional shifts.

Doing so will guide your editing decisions later on, helping you create visual matches for the music's peaks and valleys.

Music video editing often comes with flat rates—precious time you don't want to spend on endless back-and-forth.

2. Create the Music Video

Now let us talk about the specifics of editing. Here are some areas to focus on:

Gather Your Footage

It might seem like a basic step, but organization is crucial, especially when dealing with potentially large amounts of content.

You don’t want to find yourself in a position where you have to sift through hundreds of unlabeled clips. It’s a nightmare for any editor.

Instead, dedicate time to organize your footage by scene, theme, or even shot type (close-up, wide shot, etc.).

Have clear and descriptive file names It will save you countless hours during the editing process, allowing you to focus on what’s at hand.

Performance Powerhouse

Start by editing a tight, standalone cut of the entire song featuring just the performance footage.

The performance cut serves two purposes. First, it establishes a strong foundation for the entire edit, ensuring the core message of the song is conveyed through the artist's performance.

Second, it creates a valuable pool of fallback shots you can draw from later. You won’t need a close-up reaction shot during a specific lyric delivery because a performance cut will ensure you have a variety of options to choose from.

The Power of B-Roll

First, you need to establish your A-Roll. That should help you understand what B-Roll is.

The main footage used in your music video is known as A-Roll. After that, you generally add B-Roll to help show what you said in A-Roll.

So, while the A-roll delivers the main narrative through major footage and dialogue, the B-roll provides flavor and depth, improving your audience's visual experience.

Once you have a solid performance cut, integrate your B-roll footage. It can include anything from establishing cityscapes to close-up details of a prop or the environment.

The key is to use B-roll strategically. Think of it as visual punctuation, adding context, bridging scenes, and creating smooth transitions between performance segments.

Use it to illustrate the lyrics, create mood and atmosphere, and enrich the overall narrative of the music video.

Color Grading

Color correction ensures consistent visuals throughout your video, fixing any white balance or color temperature issues.

Color grading goes a step further, adding a mood or atmosphere to your video.

Experiment with different color palettes to find the perfect match for the song's vibe.

Sound Design Matters

Don't underestimate the power of sound design. While the music is an important element, subtle sound effects can add layers of depth and richness to your video.

For instance, the impact of a car screeching to a halt during a dramatic moment, or the clinking of glasses during a celebratory scene.

These subtle sound effects can complement the music and the overall story you're telling, drawing viewers deeper into the experience.

Throw in Some Unexpected Scenes

This is where your editing skills and creativity come into play. Move beyond simple cuts and look for unexpected connections between shots.

Take for example, a scene where the artist throws their head back in a powerful gesture. You could cut to a shot of a car whipping around a corner, creating a sense of movement and dynamism that complements the artist's energy.

Alternatively, you can get creative designs and add a 3D logo to the mix and give your video a fresh, contemporary look. By spotting these hidden visual relationships, you can turn your edit into a compelling story rather than just a compilation of clips.

Narrative Nuance

By the time you've integrated B-roll and explored creative transitions, your edit should be taking shape.

The song's lyrics, the artist's performance, and the B-roll selections you've made will start to shape the narrative.

Here, you can weave in any pre-planned story elements you have, filling in any narrative gaps and ensuring the story flows seamlessly throughout the video.

Truth is, the editing process can be overwhelming and time-consuming, especially if you are new to video editing software. If you have a clear vision for your music video but lack the editing expertise to bring it to life, consider outsourcing video editing to a professional service.

3. The Revision Process

Revisions are a natural part of the workflow. Here are some realities to be prepared for:

Recycle Footage

You might not have an endless amount of unique footage to work with. Learn to reuse shots strategically, finding new ways to integrate them into the edit to maintain a dynamic flow.

Adjust Pacing

Feedback from directors, producers, or artists might lead to adjustments in the edit's pacing. An initially fast-paced edit might be slowed down to emphasize certain emotional moments, or vice versa. The key is to remain flexible and adapt the pacing to best serve the overall impact of the video.

Accommodate the Artist Input

Artists are often invested in the creative vision of their music videos. Be prepared to incorporate their feedback, which might involve changing specific shots or adjusting the overall feel of the edit. Always be open to communication and have a collaborative spirit.

Prioritize the Star

Never lose sight of the core objective which is to showcase the artist and their music. While B-roll, choreography, and narrative elements add depth and context, the star of the show is the artist.

During strong vocal moments or key lyrics, prioritize clear shots of the artist performing. It will ensure that the audience remains connected to the artist and the emotional core of the song.

Conclusion

Editing music videos is an iterative process. Take breaks during the editing process to come back with fresh eyes and ensure you're not missing anything.

If you can, get feedback from trusted colleagues, like a sound designer or another editor, for a well-rounded perspective.

Iterate on your edit based on feedback until you're confident it delivers maximum impact.