Just like being an unwilling photographer at your girlfriend’s sudden Instagram photo shoot, you may find yourself conscripted into the role of online video editor without much choice in the matter. Perhaps it’s for your kid’s school project or your boss’s last-minute product demos that they swear are “super easy” to do.
Regardless of the reason, when you’re tasked with using an online video trimmer, having a handful of practical tips and tricks under your belt can certainly help streamline the process. Here’s your guide to using a quick video trimmer online and making your edits not just passable but perfect.
Why Trim Videos Online?
Do you remember that camping trip video where your dad seemed to take forever setting up the campfire? Or your graduation ceremony clip where half the footage was shaky floor shots as your parents got over-excited? Those are some perfect candidates for a trim. Using a video trimmer allows you to cut out unwanted sections from your videos swiftly and easily, highlighting only its best parts.
But why an online video trimmer? Because these tools offer a great solution when you’re on the go. There is no need for software installation. Just find a decent internet connection, and you’re good to start trimming.
A free video trimmer online comes with another added advantage: it’s free! You can quickly edit your videos without burning a hole in your pocket. And when it comes to trimming large video files online, these tools switch from being merely handy to downright lifesaving.
And talking about all of these benefits, Flixier is a free video trimmer online that helps users edit videos without getting too caught up in the technicalities. With an easy-to-use interface and several editing features, you can trim large videos online, and add soundtracks, text overlays, or even transitions – all within minutes.
How to Trim Video Online Using Flixier
Step 1: Get Started With Flixier
Go to Flixier.com and click on the Start Editing button. Simple, right? You don’t need to muck about with downloading applications or signing up immediately to use the video trimmer feature.
Step 2: Import Your Video
The next step, of course, is to upload the video you want to trim. On Flixier, click on Create Project in your dashboard, then import your video by clicking on Import or Record in the upper left-side menu.
Step 3: Drag and Drop on Timeline
After importing your video file successfully, it will appear in the My Library section. From here, just drag your footage onto the timeline below.
Step 4: Trim Your Video
You’ve got your video lined up and ready to go. Now, you have to trim out the parts that don’t make the cut:
Move the playhead to the start of the section you want to keep, and click the Cut button to make your first cut. Repeat this action at the end of the section you want to keep and click Cut again. This marks your trim points. Delete the unwanted parts by right-clicking and selecting Delete.
Step 5: Edit And Adjust
While trimming is the main focus here, no one said you couldn’t do a bit more. If need be, adjust contrast or brightness and add transitions between clips or even text overlays to enhance your content.
Step 6: Export and Share
Once you’re done trimming and sprucing up your video, it’s time to let it loose. Click the Export button on the top-right corner. This lets you download your video or directly share it on sites like YouTube or Vimeo.
Practice Makes Perfect: Improve Your Trimming Skills
After going over these basic steps on how to trim video online using Flixier’s simple interface and useful tools, all that’s left is time and practice. Like anything you are unfamiliar with but forced into doing unwillingly (remember the girlfriend’s photoshoot?), as you go along, things will get easier. Here are some pro tips to take your edits from good to fantastic.
The J-Cut and L-Cut
These are some popular techniques used by professional editors to improve the flow of their videos. In a J-cut, the audio from the next scene begins while the visual is still on hold. This creates anticipation for what’s about to come next.
In an L-cut, it’s pretty much the opposite. The video changes, but the audio from the previous shot is carried forward into this new scene, creating continuity.
Remember that less can often be more in editing—no need to overly saturate your project with transition effects, speed-ups, or slow-downs unless they serve a purpose and make sense in context.
Trimming on Action
Think about movies; they often cut right in the middle of an action, making edits less noticeable and scenes flow more naturally. When you trim video online, see if you can implement this method to create seamless transitions between shots. This technique is perfect for sports events or concert videos.
The Rule of Six
The “Rule of Six” is a principle introduced by legendary filmmaker and editor Walter Murch. This rule encourages you to take six elements into consideration while trimming – emotion, story, rhythm, eye trace (the movement keeps continuity within the frame), the two-dimensional plane of the screen (action stays in frame), and three-dimensional space occupied by action (depth). Primarily focus on preserving emotion and telling the story – they hold more weight.
Having Patience with Pacing
Just because you’re using a quick video trimmer doesn’t mean your editing process has to feel rushed or sloppy. Consider the pacing of your overall video when making cuts. Sometimes, a longer pause between dialogue or action can make a significant impact and set the mood for the scene.
Know When Not To Cut
Knowing when not to make an edit is as important as knowing when to trim. Every now and then, a long take can create tension or focus on a character’s reaction without any interrupting cuts.
Movie buffs may recall Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rope,” which was edited to look like one continuous shot. By strategically choosing long single-shot sequences over multiple cuts, the director highlighted suspense in every frame.
Snap, Cut, Action
If only losing and shedding a few extra pounds could be as easy as trimming unwanted parts of a video, but that button won’t trim down that kebab from last night. However, at least you can trim videos online with Flixier without breaking a sweat and make them look superb.