How To: Trick YouTube Into Being a Decent Video Editor

Today I'll be detailing how to use the two YouTube Video Editors to enhance the quality of your work, as well as going over a simple workaround to save time uploading the variety of clips you'll need to assemble a more complicated piece of filmmaking.

While the tools YouTube provides are relatively simplistic in comparison to other cloud-based editing solutions, they do provide a level of functionality that can enhance just about any video taken on the fly.

If you have a mobile device that records video, why not give the YouTube editors a try right now?  Using the tried and true handheld method, not a tripod, record a one minute conversation with someone that includes at least three different kinds of shots. Upload it to YouTube, and then test out the stabilization, color-correction and editing tools.  You might be pleasantly surprised at how these quick tweaks can improve your work right away.  

YouTube also allows you to access to other editing mini-apps such as WeVideo and Magisto from within the browser. I'll be reviewing them in the coming weeks, but to give them a spin now, go to YouTube Create.

Tips

• Shoot your subjects with more space around the edges of the frame to allow the YouTube Stabilizer to work without cutting out too much into your composition
• Instead of the time consuming process of uploading multiple clips for medium shots, closeups etc., grab as many shots as you can in one take, then use the YouTube editor to trim them into different shots.
• Use the Enhancement tools in the individual Video Clips themselves rather then in the Video Editor, thereby giving you more control over Color Temperature, Fill Light, etc.—except when using the Stabilizer, which has more accurate controls in the Video Editor.

Mentioned in the Video:

• YouTube Video Editor
• Color Temperature 
• Image Stabilization

Video Details:

• Video: The example footage of me and dog Nora was shot with the iPhone 4's rear camera, 1280x720.
• Audio: Logitech Headset, (model no longer available), AAC, 44.1kHz.
• Software: Snapz Pro X was used to capture on screen video of YouTube, Final Cut Pro X was used to add titles.