Need to edit raw footage. Where do I begin?

[Onno Zel]

Recently shot some footage with intention to use it for music video clips. Never before done video editing myself. Have no idea what I need to be able to make clips on my own ( software as wel as hardware). I guess the definition/quality is needed to be good enough to be shown on HD TV... Please help if you have time, cause I need to start from the beginning. Thank you.

[smrpix]

What kind of camera did you use? A good starting editor is Vegas Movie Studio -- powerful, inexpensive and there are many, many tutorials to help you get started.

[newpball]

Recently shot some footage with intention to use it for music video clips. Never before done video editing myself. Have no idea what I need to be able to make clips on my own ( software as wel as hardware).

First of all never underestimate the creative aspect, I'd say focus 80% on creativity and 20% on technical. A crappy video with a brilliant idea will get more "wow" than a boring perfectly rendered and color graded 12 bit video.

For hardware the first question is the resolution of your video, is it SD, HD or UHD?

For HD you need a powerful computer, I would recommend a minimum of core i7 and 16GB of memory for editing worry free. For SD you could use a minimum of core i5 and 8GB. These are obviously not hard numbers and it depends partly on your tolerance for waiting. For editing I would recommend against using a laptop, instead use a desktop computer and at least one good monitor (preferably 2).

You obviously need a video editor. There are a few free editors and I do not see any reason you could not make a brilliant clip with them. If you edit a lot and you want professional convenience you could think of using professional video editing software.

[Onno Zel]

Thank you both very much for the feedback. I suppose I can start now with finding a computer suitable for editing the footage shot with HD camera that I've shot. Conserning the software I'm still not sure what to choose coz I need as much effects as possible at hand, especially stabilizing the image that is jumping ( camera shook violently during filming) Although the footage is in colour I 'd like to make it "antique looking colours" or perhaps black & white depending on the kind of overall appearanse of the filtre(?) and the effect the image is getting by the use ov the given tool... For the rest once again appreciate your advises. Thanx!

[smrpix]

The best stabilization method is a tripod. Second best is paying attention to what you're doing while you're shooting. Software stabilization can create some interesting effects, and work invisibly in some circumstances, but it's no substitute for doing it right in the first place.

The best special effect is a good concept. Otherwise you're just throwing cowpies at the wall and hoping it will look like a Van Gogh. (You won't even touch Pollock.)

Recommendation remains the same -- Try Vegas Movie Studio.

[Onno Zel]

So many thanks! Im overwelmed with the sudden surges of gratitude that make it difficult to breath at times. Thank YOU. So. Very. Much!