Video Editing

If you need to edit video, you might consider a program like DaVinci Resolve, iMovie, or Capcut.

DaVinci Resolve is a more full-featured desktop program, with support for color grading and audio mixing.

iMovie is a better choice for editing on your phone or tablet.

Capcut is another popular video editor especially suited for working on your phone or tablet.

All three programs are widely used for professional video production.

Here's a brief rundown of how to get started with each program, along with some links to more detailed tutorials.

get started with davinci Resolve

Create a new project.
Go to the File menu and click 'New Timeline.'
Go back to the File menu and scroll down to 'Import,' then click on 'Media.'
Browse to find where your videos are stored, and import them into the Media Pool.
From the Media Pool, click and drag your videos into the timeline below. It should fill out the timeline with a video track and an audio track.
At the very bottom of the screen, click the icon showing three horizontal bars and a cursor--this is the 'Edit' tab. It should bring up a different view of the timeline, with the video and audio tracks separated out.
From here, you can edit each track however you'd like. The Timeline menu has options for making cuts and joining clips, but you can also right click on a track to bring up editing options.
If you'd like to change the color grade or mix your audio tracks, there are icons for those options at the bottom of the screen.
Once you've finished editing your video, click the rocket ship icon, also at the bottom of the screen. This will bring up export options. You can choose to export a Quicktime (.MOV) file, an .MP4 file, or any other type of video file. The default codec (H.264) will probably be best for most applications, but Apple ProRes is another commonly used codec.
When the export options have been finalized, click 'Add to Render Queue.' It will bring up a window where you can choose where to save the file. Then the rendering job will be added to the queue at the right of the screen. Click 'Render All,' and it will export your finished video.

You might also check out some of the tutorial videos on the DaVinci Resolve website.

get started with imovie

To use iMovie, you will need to create a project, import your media, edit and refine your video clips, add enhancements like music and titles, and finally, export your finished movie.

Step 1: Create a New Project

Open iMovie. In the Projects browser, tap or click the plus button (+).
Select Movie to begin a new project from scratch.

Step 2. Import Media

Bring your video clips and photos into iMovie.
Use the Import button within the app or drag files from your computer directly into the iMovie library.
On iPhone/iPad, the app will prompt you to select media from your photo library. You can also record video directly within the app using the Camera option.

Step 3: Arrange and Trim Clips

The clips you import will appear in your timeline (the editing area at the bottom of the screen).
Arrange: Drag and drop clips in the timeline to change their order.
Trim: Select a clip in the timeline (a yellow highlight appears around it). Drag the beginning or end of the clip to make it shorter or longer.
Split: Move the playhead (the vertical line) to the desired spot in a clip and use the split command to cut it into two separate clips.

Step 4: Add titles and Effects

Titles and Text: Add text overlays, title sequences, or end credits by clicking the Titles menu.
Music and Sound Effects: iMovie includes built-in soundtracks and sound effects. You can add these, adjust volume levels, or add music from your own library.
Transitions: Smoothly connect clips by adding transitions (like fades or wipes) between them.
Video Effects: Apply video filters, adjust colors, or use effects like the Ken Burns effect (which adds motion to still photos).

Step 5: Export and Share Your Movie

When you are satisfied with your project, export it to a file you can share or watch on different devices.
Go to the File menu and then click Share.
Select what file type to export (.mov, .mp4, etc.).
Choose your desired resolution, quality, and compression settings, then save the file to your computer.

For more in-depth guidance on specific features, Apple provides comprehensive user guides for iMovie on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. The librarians at University of California at Santa Cruz have put together a thorough guide on their website as well. There are also, of course, many good iMovie tutorials on YouTube.

Get started with capcut

To use CapCut, you will follow a process similar to those detailed above, involving starting a project, adding media, editing on a timeline, enhancing with effects, and exporting your final video. CapCut is available on mobile, desktop, and web, with slight variations in interface.

Step 1: Create a New Project and Import Media

Open the CapCut app or software and start a new project to access the main editing interface.
On your phone or tablet, tap the "New Project" button on the home screen. This opens your device's camera roll, where you can select the videos and photos you want to use and tap "Add".
On your computer, click "Create project" or "Import" to upload files from your computer (or cloud services like Google Drive/Dropbox for the web version).

Step 2: Arrange and Edit Clips in the Timeline

Your selected media will appear in the timeline at the bottom of the screen.
Arrange: Drag and drop clips in the timeline to reorder them.
Trim/Split: Select a clip in the timeline. To trim the ends, drag the start or end of the clip. To cut a section out of the middle, move the white vertical playhead to the desired start point, tap the "Split" or scissor icon, move the playhead to the end point, split again, and then select the unwanted segment and tap "Delete".
Adjust Speed: Select a clip and find the "Speed" option to slow down or speed up the footage using a simple slider for normal speed or a "Curve" for dynamic speed changes.

Step 3: Add Audio, Titles, and Effects

Use the toolbar (at the bottom on mobile, side panels on desktop) to add titles and effects to your video.
Audio: Tap "Audio" or "Sound" to add background music, sound effects, or extract audio from other videos. You can also record a voiceover.
Titles & Stickers: Select "Text" to add captions, choose from various styles and animations, and type your message. The "Stickers" tab offers a wide collection of graphic overlays.
Transitions: Go to the "Transitions" tab and apply effects between clips for smooth scene changes, such as fades, swipes, or glitches.
Filters & Effects: Use "Filters" for color grading or select from a range of "Effects" to apply unique visual styles.

Step 4: Export Your Video

Once editing is complete, export your project to save and share it.
Click the "Export" button. It should bring up export settings for you to adjust.
Give your video a title, and select the folder where you want your video to be saved.
Select your desired resolution, codec (H.264), file format (.mov, .mp4), and frame rate.
Once your selections are in place, click "Export" at the bottom of the menu. The file should show up in the folder you specified.

For a more thorough walkthrough, the CapCut resource page offers many free tutorials and guides. The CapCut YouTube channel also offers a helpful series of tutorial videos.