Nothing beats kicking up your feet after a long day of wedding filming, but sooner or later the editing deadline will come. And, if you’re feeling even the slightest bit uninspired or busy, procrastination may just get the best of you.
But, there is a solution: Shake up your edits. Nothing inspires the wedding filmmaker crowd like new, shiny tools, and today we have six tools and tricks to keep your edits fresh and your heart in the video from the second you hit record to that final review.
1. Lens Distortions
To add interest to your videos, try one of Lens Distortion’s plug-in effects like the lens flare. These effects stimulate natural lens flares with dozens of 20-to-30-second styles to choose from.
While these flares can add a touch of beauty and interest, use them sparingly. I only add them when it makes sense (e.g., if the sun could actually flare behind the couple — not on a cloudy or foggy day). When I do use them, I turn the flare’s opacity way down; going too heavy will make your film feel artificial.
2. LUTs
I shot and edited my first few films with natural, straight-from-the-camera colors, but decided to dabble into LUTs after talking to fellow filmmakers — and wow! When used correctly (i.e., subtly and consistently) LUTs can make an everyday film look much more cinematic.
If you’re a new wedding filmmaker, here’s some quick backgrounds: LUTs are like filters, or for photographers, presets, that add a certain style to your film. You can buy them from video brands like ColorFinale, or from top industry filmmakers like White in Revery.
3. Mind mapping
While not necessarily a video tool, mind mapping will help you edit in a documentary style. You can plot out the film’s theme, track your key visuals and piece together audio to tell a compelling story. With the industry’s high standards and talented storytellers, couples are seeking wedding films with a story — not just pretty clips with nice music. Mind mapping is a proven way to help you become a better wedding storyteller, whether you’re a beginner or seasoned filmmaker. One of my favorite mind mapping platforms is iMindMap.
4. Text effects
Distinct and attractive fonts will help you captivate your clients in the first few seconds of your film. Of course, software like FinalCut has pre-set text, but if you really want to “wow,” try Pixel Film Studios. I’ve purchased a variety of their plugins and text effects for wedding, documentary, and business films; they’ve saved me the hassle and headache of solely creating effects on my own.
5. Musicbed
Music can make or break a film, but Musicbed — the wedding industry leader — almost always “makes it” for me. Songs don’t come cheap; one song for a wedding video is about $49, a wedding filmmaker membership is $59/month. That said, it’s worth every penny. From musical numbers to songs with lyrics, I can almost always find what I need. I love finding new, indie songs for my Spotify playlists along the way!
6. Love Stories TV
Sometimes the best inspiration comes from watching talented peers. Love Stories TV, an online aggregator of wedding films from around the world, is a great way to do just that. You can browse films based on style, location, religion, and more. As a filmmaker, you can also sign up to share your videos — and inspire others — for free. A bonus perk? You may attract some new clients, too!
Adding effects to your wedding film (within reason) will make your clients happy, but to really improve as a filmmaker, you need to understand the editing process. Check out this guide on video editing tips for beginners to get started.
