Technical skills:
The skills pay the bills, so they say. And in the world of media, there are quite a number of skills to master in order to prove that you are a competent creator of media. One skill that seems to transcend several different formats; everything from web design, to producing feature-length films; is video editing. Video editing is an invaluable skills because it enables you to present ideas that incorporate sound, images, and textual information (a powerful combination).
Three-point editing is an easy way to ensure that your video editing is professional quality. After describing the three points and the process of using them, I will explain the benefits of a three point edit compared to a drag-and-drop editing style.
How to edit on three-points:
Point 1- The First In-Point.
The first step is to select a starting point on a the video you want to insert into your project. You do this because you always want to incorporate this clip into your timeline in a way that has a good data flow (meaning you can find a file later if it gets lost in transfer) and you want to make sure that your files remain separate (when you edit two files from the same source they that editing one does not affect the other).
Point 2- The First Out-Point.
The same rules that apply to the first point apply to the second; however, you want to make sure that you end with enough time to have a transition to the next clip (assuming you want more than a jump cut).
Point 3- The Second In-Point.
Finally, all that needs to be done is to identify a place on your project timeline that the clip will appear. This is done by finding the end of the previous clip with the playhead controls (often JKL on a keyboard). Finding the end of the previous clip is very important, it ensures that you do not have a lost frame in-between the two clips (which might not show up until after you've spent 10+ hours rendering).
There is no need for a second Out-Point! Given that you have created an in-point on the project timeline, and have a clip with a defined time (because of the first in and out points) the editing software will add an end point automatically. Isn't that nifty?
Significance:
The significance of Three-Point editing is that you will have a project that has video running from one end to the other without a single frame dropped (assuming you've followed the procedures correctly). This is HUGE because it show a level of attention to detail that an employer is looking for.
Having a frame or two missing may not seem like a bug deal, but you have to remember this: People will notice the flaws in your work before they notice the positive aspects. A jumpy file can turn people off (losing the flow of the moment in a video), and sometimes it can prevent you video from completing (as the player/editor will stop the video and start searching for that missing frame).
Attention to the little things will get you ahead, and having a Three-Point edit shows that you care about the details.
