There are a few key things you'll need to be able to do to get started on any video editor. Once you have these elements sourced and practiced, other tools and skills can be topped up as you go along.
The first thing you'll need to do is ensure your video footage is transferred or downloaded onto the computer or hard drive you'll be editing from. Some video editors will allow you to import directly from the source such as a smartphone connected via cable or an SD card plugged into the computer. If you are filming and editing on a smartphone or tablet then this step is not usually required.
Editing Basics
Once you have your footage you're ready to delve into the basics.
Import - You need to be able to bring your video clips, audio files, photos, etc into the video editing software in order to begin creating your video.
Select - You need to select which clips, or which portions of your clips you wish to place on your timeline. Once you've made your selection, it's a click and drag onto the timeline with most editors.
Cut - You need to know how to make cuts, adjustments and move your clips around the timeline as needed. There are often a number of different ways you can do this and tools you can use, but having a few basic options will get you started.
Transitions - Knowing how to apply transitions such as cross-dissolves is not essential, but is very useful.
Text - Applying text will be essential for the majority of projects whether these are opening titles, descriptors or end credits.
Audio - You'll need to be able to add audio and make simple adjustements such as volume & fades.
Export - You'll need to be able to create a final version of your video that can be viewed and/or uploaded to video viewing platforms. Until you export your video, the process of which writes a new file, your edit remains a set of instructions within your video editor.
Editing Basics on DaVinci Resolve
Editing Basics on Final Cut Pro
External Hard Drive
In additional to familiarising yourself with the editing software itself, it may be necessary to invest in some hardware to support your editing process.
Obtaining an external hard drive would be one of the key things you'd need in order to keep your computer free and functioning optimally. It will also be essential if you are editing on a laptop or desktop computer that you do not own.
These can vary greatly in price depending on the type, size and speed of the drive. Brands like WD, Toshiba, Seagate, G-Drive, Lacie and Samsung are pretty reliable. 1TB is the standard minimum for most drives these days and is more than enough for most projects. They can also be handy for backing up your computer and course files. These may need to be formatted in advance of their initial use in order to function on the computer system you're using.
*Be Aware the process of formatting erases the entire drive, so do not format an existing drive with files on it, unless you have them securely backed up elsewhere.
As well as the source video files themselves, the editing process generates 'render files' which are what allow you to view the changes you're making along the way. Depending on the file format used for recording and the amount of effects applies, these render files can become very large very quickly so a lot of free space is needed. It's also important to know how to clear these files once you have completed your project.
Exporting a working project onto an external hard drive can be a bit tricky initially, depending on the software you're using, but once you're set up it usually functions quite smoothly.