AVCHD Editing

While we’ll be using Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum on the PC as a professional-grade example for AVCHD editing, the techniques employed can also be reproduced on both PC or Mac and with other similar programs.

GET STARTED

1. Use Picture Motion Browser to transfer the video files from your HD Handycam® into your computer. Transferred files are saved in a format known as .M2TS and can be found in subfolders within your My Documents/My Pictures folder by default.

2. Open Vegas Movie Studio Platinum and locate and arrange video. In Vegas, use the Explorer tab to locate the .M2TS files you imported from the camcorder. Right-click and choose Add to Project Media.

THE VIDEO MASTERCLASS

Sony Vegas’ extensive feature set can be mastered in a matter of minutes, but what will remain for a lifetime are the methods the pros use to turn raw ingredients into a video packed with action and emotion.

INTERVIEWS

Documentaries derive a large amount of their “meat” from interviews, but hearing someone speak, especially for extended periods of time, can quickly become boring.

“The most common mistake to make during an interview portion is to just show the face of the person being interviewed, with their voice rambling on and on.”

Start by trimming your clips. Take a look at the ends – most people will often make their answers longer than they need to, or repeat points. Cut off these superfluous bits first.

Arranging Footage: The Shot/Reverse-Shot Technique

It’s time to use the shot/reverse-shot technique you learnt for filming interviews. Arrange your trimmed video as follows: