Challenging Myself: Learning the Art of Video Editing in Two Hours
Life has an uncanny way of throwing curveballs your way, often forcing us to adapt and change our plans. This was precisely what happened to me when I had to shelve my ambitious multimedia Ravenloft game project for personal reasons. Instead of letting disappointment get the best of me, I decided to channel my creative energy in a new direction: video content creation, especially as we (Steph and I) enjoy watching reaction videos and user created content since we cut the cable.
Setting up the channel was the easy part, so I set a challenging rule for myself, to edit each video in just two hours. The purpose? To become proficient in edits, overdubbing, and graphic inserts before incorporating them into my live content. So far, I've completed six videos, and I'm thrilled to share my journey with you.
The Learning Curve: Embracing Constraints
When I first decided to venture into the world of video content creation, I was aware of my limited editing skills. I work in IT, and I know there are various nuances to every system and/or software package, and normally - I would just hire an expert in the field to do the work for me. Sadly, in real life, that costs money. So, in true “Ed Fashion”, I decided to tackle this head-on by setting a (semi) strict two-hour time limit for editing each video. The constraints were deliberate. They forced me to prioritize, make quick decisions, and develop a structured workflow. This approach, while challenging, has accelerated my learning process.
The Evolution of My Work: From Amateur to Aspiring Creator
To be honest, I had actually done some of this type of work for the gaming community before. My first videos from years ago were far from perfect, and I cringed watching it later. But that's the beauty of the creative process. With each video, I began to understand the nuances of editing, overdubbing, and inserting graphics. My mistakes became my greatest teachers. I gradually honed my skills and embraced a sense of progression with each new upload.
One of my first video edits for a TTRPG - way back in 2007
The Pinnacle So Far: "In Search Of - The Demogorgon Miniature: A Stranger Things History"
Out of the six videos I've created since starting this project, the latest one, "In Search Of - The Demogorgon Miniature: A Stranger Things History," stands out as a milestone in my journey. This video explores the history of the Demogorgon miniature from the popular series Stranger Things. It allowed me to experiment with complex edits, overdubbing, and graphic inserts. I believe it's my best work to date, and I invite you to check it out.
My Video Content Journey: The Path Ahead
The purpose of these self-imposed constraints was never to create perfect videos but to learn, evolve, and acquire the skills necessary to enrich my live content. As I look back on my journey, I can see significant progress. I've become more proficient in various editing software, fine-tuned my voice editing skills, and learned to use graphics to enhance storytelling.
As I move forward, my goal is to continue pushing my boundaries. I plan to explore more complex projects, experiment with various editing techniques, and, most importantly, have fun in the process. I've come to realize, just like in Dungeons and Dragons, that the joy of creation lies in the journey - not just the destination.
Join Me on My Journey
If you're interested in following my progress and witnessing the evolution of my video content creation skills, I invite you to check out my videos in chronological order:
#1 - Fulfilling Prophecies | Tomas Waverly
#2 - The Plan | Princess of Celene
#3 - The Plan part B | Princess of Celene
#4 - Wizards of the Coast's Major D&D Distribution Shift: What You Need to Know"
#5- Princess of Celene Campaign Update | Do Twitter Poll Results Predict the Future?
#6- "In Search Of - The Demogorgon Miniature: A Stranger Things History"
Your feedback and support mean the world to me, and I'm excited to have you on this creative journey. Stay tuned for more content, more challenges, and more growth as I continue to develop my video editing and storytelling skills.
