Finding the right video editing software for your project can often make or break its quality. Never forget that filming is just half the battle! Editing is where the real movie magic happens. One of our favorite examples of editing magic is the Kuleshov Effect--when Shot A is placed next to Shot B, Shot A has one meaning, but when Shot A is placed next to Shot C, it has a whole different meaning. This lead to the invention of the montage! Editing is not just a technical skill, but also a creative storytelling technique. Keep reading for our top three video editing softwares.
1) Adobe Premiere Pro
Premiere Pro has become the standard in NLE (non-linear editing) software in recent years. While the program has a steep learning curve, the time and energy it takes to master Premiere Pro's expansive features are absolutely worth it. Because it's part of the Adobe Suite, the program seamlessly integrates with After Effects and other Creative Cloud software. This makes Premiere Pro one of the most robust NLE options for video editing. This program is even responsible for a plethora of Oscar nominations and winners, including Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022 Oscar winner for Best Picture and Best Film Editing), Top Gun: Maverick (2022 Oscar winner for Best Sound), and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022 Oscar winner of Best Visual Effects). Premiere Pro is a subscription software at $23/month for Premiere alone, or $60/month for the full Creative Cloud suite.
2) Final Cut Pro
Final Cut (formerly Final Cut Pro X) has been one of the top names in NLE software since its inception. We must note, first and foremost, that this video editing software is made by Apple and compatible with Macintosh computers only. However, this exclusivity enables Final Cut to be optimized specifically for the Apple silicon chip and run exceptionally quickly and reliably. Like Premiere, Final Cut is a software that requires a notable amount of time and energy to learn to navigate. However, it has impressive capabilities and works wonders with ProRes and RAW files. In 2011, Apple converted its Final Cut Pro 7 to Final Cut Pro X, with the goal of catering to the "prosumer" audience. Many users raved about the changes, which were intended to make the software more intuitive and streamlined. On the other hand, many professionals asserted that the update ultimately lessened Final Cut 7's more advanced capabilities. Films edited on Final Cut Pro (7) include The Social Network (2010), 500 Days of Summer (2009), and X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009). Final Cut Pro is a one-time purchase for $300 on the Apple Store.
3) CapCut Video Editor
Are Adobe and Final Cut sounding really intimidating? Don't worry--you still have NLE software options! If you're new to the editing game and want something affordable and user-friendly, we suggest CapCut. The program is an app that can be downloaded directly to your phone. You can also go to CapCut.com to edit in your web browser without downloading any software. While the program is limited in features and capabilities, CapCut is extremely intuitive. Because there are fewer options and settings to maneuver, the app is very easy to figure out. If you're looking to complete a simple edit with footage that's not too large, CapCut is a great place to start. It's owned by TikTok's parent company ByteDance, so it's highly integrated with TikTok. CapCut offers a free version, or you can purchase the Pro version for $10/month.
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