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How to create and use an effective video editing workflow

9 min read

Dec 30, 2024

A videographer holds a professional camera mounted on a stabilizer as they capture raw footage to send to a video editor.

What is a video editing workflow?

Broadly speaking, your video editing workflow is the process that occurs after your final piece of footage has been acquired, and before your final cut is exported and sent to the desired recipient.

There is no single video editing workflow. Instead, different editors will have their preferred methods that suit their needs and editing styles.

While the individual stages of video editing workflows may vary, they will typically include steps like organizing footage, creating a first edit, post-production, audio, and visual effects.

6 steps for an effective video editing workflow

To help you get started, we’ve created a simple workflow that introduces the common video editing stages. This can easily be adapted to suit your own needs or working preferences.
 

1. Gather and organize your material

Before the editing process can begin, a video plan and storyboard will have been completed, followed by production or the curation of raw footage.

Before you get started with your edit, you should sort this raw footage into folders for different sources, formats, or video sections, depending on your needs.

Here are some common examples of files and formats, and the ways you can organize them:
 

  • Video
    • Main footage
    • B-roll footage
       
  • Audio
    • Voiceover files
    • Music
    • Sound effects
       
  • Visual effects
    • Lighting, filters, and texture packs
    • Transitions
    • Motion graphics
    • Any logos, branding, or other recurring imagery

With its advanced file storage capabilities, Dropbox cloud storage makes it easy to upload your files to a central location, organize them, and access them from any device. You could even have a film crew upload the footage from a filming location, ready for you to access remotely from your editing workstation.

Store your files securely with Dropbox

Documents, photos, videos and more—Dropbox keeps all your files and folders safe in online cloud storage.

Video editing workflow tips and best practices

Now that we’ve established the basic video editing workflow stages, here are some additional tips to ensure you get the most out of your edits.
 

Filter your “junk” footage—don’t discard it

As you make your way through the initial edit, you’ll be slicing up a lot of raw footage.

In addition to the clips you’ve selected, you’ll also have a collection of “off cuts”—the remnants of your original clip.

While it can be tempting to delete these and clear space as you go, it often makes sense to keep the trimmed clips. You never know what might still be useful for filling out gaps in your final edit!

 

Think about your remote video editing workflow

Many of us now work in remote, hybrid, or flexible teams—whether between the office and working from home, or teams working across time zones. To make the most of remote collaboration, it can help to have an editing workflow that’s built to handle remote tasks.

That’s why Dropbox is a perfect fit, with cloud storage, file sharing, and feedback capabilities—it’s never been easier to create an effective remote video editing workflow.
 

Back up your work as you go

There’s nothing worse than spending hours on an edit, only for a software crash or human error to result in all of your hard work being lost.

Backing up your data to Dropbox provides a simple way to keep your files and in-progress edits safe, even if disaster strikes.

Video editing workflow checklist

We’ve covered a lot in this guide, so here’s a quick recap for your reference.

Before you begin editing your video, you’ll need:

  • A clear brief
  • A storyboard
  • Raw material (either via a shoot or curated from existing footage)

The video editing workflow then consists of the following steps:

  1. Gather and organize your material—making use of the advanced file organization features of Dropbox cloud storage.
  2. Decide on objectives and create a plan—with the video production plan template in Dropbox Paper.
  3. Create your first edit—with all of your favorite editing apps, connected through Dropbox app integrations.
  4. Review and feedback—taking advantage of Dropbox Replay to fast-track the process.
  5. Final approval—using Dropbox Replay to keep your reviewers updated.
  6. Delivery—sending the finished product simply and securely with Dropbox Transfer.

Get a complete video editing workflow all in one place, with Dropbox

An effective video editing workflow is made possible by effective tools like Dropbox Replay, with built-in video review capabilities that make the toughest part of the editing workflow feel effortless.

Video has never been bigger—and, with Dropbox, it’s never been easier to create a simple workflow that takes your editing process to the next level.

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