Film Production Tips: It's Time to Upgrade Your Video Editing Software!

[screenshot from Adobe Premiere video editor software]

INTRO

You read the title right: it is time. Or is it? Yes, yes it is. As you probably know, filmmaking can be expensive. Box office hits (and flops) frequently have budgets over eight figures. Unfortunately, we filmmaking peasants do not have access to that type of cash (not yet; think big, loyal reader). I was ecstatic to have fundraised a budget for my first film, 27 Deep, that approached $10k. You may think: "Andrew, that is not an inconsequential figure." You are right, loyal reader, and I am happy to explain how I got there. I will do so in another article, but for now, to the topic at hand.

I began with the budget tirade because editing software costs MONEY. I know: It is awful. These corporations cannot keep getting away with this! However, cheaper is not always better. You don't want to torpedo your film's quality due to your unwillingness to make the necessary purchases. Yes, we are all about doing more with less. But when you start with the bare minimum, a seemingly trivial infrastructure improvement can tremendously advance your film. 

I could compare the available video editing software products. But where is the fun in that? You can find that anywhere. Plus, that takes research, which I am not feeling right now. Instead, we will discuss why I use my current video editing software (Adobe Premiere) and the considerations that went into that choice. This is not an Adobe promotion. I aim to illuminate the film editing process (as an individual) and help you gauge your personal needs. 

"...neglecting to use the correct equipment and terminology will hinder your progress..."

WHY DID I CHOOSE ADOBE PREMIERE?

So...my cinematographer told me to use Adobe Premiere. Yeah, I spent effectively five total minutes in contemplation. The complexity of my decision making is nearly incomprehensible.

~The groundbreaking Adobe Premiere conversation in question~

Me: "I have [redacted]."

Him: "Ok. Adobe Premiere is the industry standard. I've seen great editors use [redacted], but most people use Premiere."

Me: "Aight."

And that was that. (note: I am aware of Avid as a potentially superior alternative. If you are using Avid, then you probably do not need my video editing advice. You should stay, though, we have good vibes.) I, like you, was skeptical that I needed the software upgrade. At this point, though, I was entirely reliant on my cinematographer's knowledge because I was rookie. I did not go to college for film and was in my senior year. So, I accepted his suggestion. Another factor in accepting his advice was that he mentioned post-production issues like workflow and color grading (spooky). These are pretty basic concepts. However, I knew nothing about them and was feeling woefully ignorant. Thus, my fear of being clueless, stubborn, and cheap convinced me to just listen. I will tell you now that I made the right choice, and I will tell you why later.

WHY WAS PREMIERE THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR ME?

Welcome to later. There are two overarching reasons for why the software upgrade was transformative: 

1) Adobe Premiere is a professional software

What do I mean by this? Professionals will take you seriously. As an independent filmmaker, you must consider how others perceive you. Regardless of your goals in the industry, neglecting to use the correct equipment and terminology will hinder your progress. Throughout the 27 Deep production process, professionals asked me what software I used to edit the film. Thankfully, I had a good answer.

2) Professional Software has a steep learning curve (and that's a good thing)

Yes, learning curves are uncomfortable. Anything can feel demoralizing as a novice. But there is a reward for overcoming the learning curve. It is liberating. But the extent of your liberation depends on the complexity of the skill you learned. In video games, this is known as a skill gap. 

Think of a game like "2048", which is in the 2014 middle school pastime hall of fame (if you have not played it, play it for two minutes: you will understand). It is fun but mind-numbingly simple. Sure, winning is cool. But is it that fun if you don't even have to try? You may say that it could be if winning brought you an immense reward. Well, 2048 offers no reward besides exceedingly temporary clout and a screen that says, "You Won." (I just lost trying to confirm that the winning screen says that. How embarrassing. Also, I learned it says, "You win!")

Now, contrarily, think of chess. Chess is the ultimate skill gap game. It is heavily stratified. Professionally competitive chess players spend thousands of hours studying the game and have played 10s of thousands of games against equal or better competition to improve marginally. The reward for being amazing at it is unsurprisingly much higher than for 2048.

My experience with Adobe Premiere is somewhere in between. When you first try it, you feel hopelessly lost. But, with time, you will produce amazing content. Unlike 2048, there is always something new to learn and skills you can improve. Your creativity and efficiency will exponentially grow as you become adept with the software. I have had countless instances where I unexpectedly found ways to manifest creative ideas with Premiere. You could say Adobe Premiere and I have grown together. What a beautiful partnership. We have had our speed bumps, but self-reflection (from both of us) and internet counseling have always been successful. (YouTube, blogs, and forums are useful for finding specific tips, too)

CONCLUSION

Adobe Premiere offers the necessary combination of professionalism and software capability for my projects. These factors, along with budget, drive my film production purchase decisions. Additionally, always estimate the long-term value of your purchases. A better microphone may seem costly, but if it minimizes your retakes and improves the quality of your documentary narrations in a film coincidentally called 27 Deep, it is worth every dollar. And what if you can then use it for your Aberra Presents YouTube channel to talk about everything you learned while making 27 Deep? You sly sly reader. You deduced that my oddly specific example alludes to a YouTube channel where I will delve into these blog series topics and is (even more coincidentally) where you can watch 27 Deep, too? You are so bright.

Are we off-topic? Say it with me: no. Maybe? Does it matter at this point? That is both a trick and a rhetorical question. While you cannot answer in real time due to the regrettable technological insufficiencies that keep us apart, the answer is obvious. It is neither yes or no. What does this mean for you, the lucky (poor) soul, consuming this blabber? Well, as you feel yourself being drawn further into this nonsense and questioning the validity of everything I have said above, I encourage you to step back and think for yourself. What did you gain from this article? What was useless? Where is the value for you? I say these things because as you embark on your journey, you will need help, but you cannot be swayed by everything you encounter. Do your research, be diligent, yet do not be paralyzed by fear. Only you know what is right for you. That instinct comes with experience. But, I do use Adobe Premiere.

This article is written by Andrew Stephens.

IG: @a_drewstephens

YT: Aberra Presents