My #1 Tip on editing dance videos

How to edit dance? 

When you’re creating branded content, covering an event, or making a film using movement you won’t always have it choreographed.

When it comes time to edit how to decide when to cut and what's the best shot to pick next? In this blog post, I'm going to share my #1 tip for editing movement. 

I absolutely loved the book “In the Blink of an Eye” by Walter Murch and he gives 6 rules on how to make the best possible decision where to make the cut.

Here is a number one tip I use from my dance background to supplement Walter Murch's rules of editing.

I use a complete movement. Meaning: each movement has a beginning and end with transitions in between. Like in this clip below: Angie picks up her left leg to turn on her right, she turns, switches her feet, and her right foot lands on the floor. Watch it closely.

I’m paying close attention to which foot she lands on because this will play a role in what frame I choose next. This detail focus allows us to have a smooth continuity in movement, it continues the story, follows the rhythm, and also guides the viewer's eye. Ding Ding Ding! Hitting all major points from “The Rule of Six! 

To illustrate how it will look in the sequence here is another clip.

In this clip, I matched Angie’s right foot landing with Loryane starting her footwork with her right leg. Notice that I changed an angle. By switching an angle you let the audience learn about the environment making them feel like they were there. Going back to “The Rule of Six” this decision follows the story and advances it from a different perspective. Check out a full video below.

Editing is a very detail-oriented art form but when it comes to editing movement it gets even more specific.

That’s why dance knowledge is so incredibly helpful when editing a sequence, especially when it’s not a choreography. 

If you need advice on how to edit your next video you can schedule a consultation here.