people making a video

Videography and Video Editing

Video Basics: Getting Started

Videos can be a really powerful way to express ideas or thoughts, help audiences visualize complex research or share more about the work you do and who it impacts. Whether you have a budget or not, whether you have experience filming and editing or not, there are resources on campus and beyond that can help you tell your story. Before you start talking to vendors or downloading software, you should be able to answer a few basic questions that will help you plan your project. Typically called a creative brief, this project plan should include:

  • Project Summary: What has to be done, when, and by whom? How will this project help you achieve your goals?
  • Target Audience: Who do you want to reach? What do you know about them?
  • Budget: Video production is expensive. Do you have the money for an outside vendor? How about assets like stock music and images?
  • Timeline: When does this need to be produced, and whose schedule do you need to factor in (the talent, reviewers and approvers, editors)?
  • Key Message: What are the key points you need to make in this video to inspire action (stick to 3 maximum)? 
  • Call to Action: What should the viewer think, feel, and do as a result of watching your video?

Download the UC Davis Creative Brief

UC Davis Video Resources

  • Aggie Studios: Student-run media production studio at UC Davis. They offer photography, videography and animation services for ASUCD, student organizations, and external clients. Their studio is fully functional throughout the academic year, with a small crew available during summer. Their production schedule fills up fast, so get in touch with them far in advance of your project deadline.
  • Academic Technology Services: ATS specializes in academic and research-based video production services, including classroom lecture capture, studio recordings, single and multi-camera recordings of seminars and special campus events, live webcasting and faculty eLearning content development. Video editing is about $100 an hour.
  • College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES): The Communications team within CAES offers communication support (including videography) on a recharge basis. You can reach out to Multimedia Specialist Hector Amezcua with questions or get in touch with the Director of Communications Caren Weintraub. 
  • Strategic Communications: UC Davis Strategic Communications provides a variety of information, guidance and resources in their Brand Communications Guide. There are lots of video-specific resources (like planning guides, interview tips, video assets, and a Consent to Record form for explicit permission to photograph/videotape someone) as well as a list of approved external vendors if you have a project budget. If you are interested in collaborating with Strat Com, start by filling out this interest form. 

Video Editing Software Options

 
Software Description Cost Best For
Adobe Premiere The industry-leading video editing software for social sharing, TV, and film. Edit videos for color grade, adjust sound, and import graphics and special effects from other Adobe apps.
  • Access with an Adobe account
  • Free 7 day trial
  • Team plan for $19.99 a month 
  • Advanced users
Adobe Express Online and mobile design app that helps you create social graphics, webpages, presentations, and animated videos. Choose from a variety of free professionally designed templates and fonts and for every occasion.
  • Access with an Adobe account
  • Free starter plan
  • Team plan for $19.99 a month 
  • Beginners
  • Social media graphics
Avidemux

One of the best video editing software for beginners with a simple, easy to navigate interface. This program can help you to perform basic tasks including cutting, encoding, and filtering.
  • Free
  • Beginners
Blender A flexible video editor that caters to beginners and advanced users. Allows you to perform basic actions like video cuts and splicing as well as complex tasks like masking, but the sheer array of features can make the learning curve steep and tutorials are limited.
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Advanced users
  • 3D animation
DaVinci Resolve An advanced video editor with many professional video features and an intuitive interface. The app gives the option for adding 2D and 3D titles to your video, but the wide array of features can be overwhelming.
  • Free
  • Cost for some tutorials

 
  • Advanced users
  • Color correction
GoPro

One of the most popular free video editing apps available, it's simple to learn due to its intuitive interface. You can edit and cut videos in just a few taps. Add some transitions and sounds from the large built-in library, and your video is ready to share.
  • Free
  • Annual subscription for $49.99
  • Anyone
  • Mobile
  • Quick editing

 
iMovie

This video editor is very intuitive to use. The drag and drop interface makes it quick to move and edit video elements. Mac users can use it as a playground for learning the basics of video editing. Advanced users may find the features limited.
  • Free download with iOS or macOs
  • Beginners
  • Mac users

InVideo

 This online video editing tool is good for beginner and seasoned video editors alike. It is deceptively simple to use, and has amazing flexibility, with new, high-quality video templates added often, but you cannot add more than one audio file. 
  • Free starter plan
  • Business plan for $10 a month
  • Anyone
  • Presentation videos/listicles
Openshot A free editor with advanced features and a simple interface. It also allows real-time previews when you create transitions between clips. Similar to iMovie with its easy to use drag and drop interface but more features, including unlimited layers and audio mixing.
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Beginners
Promo A great tool to create gorgeous, professional videos, especially for social media posts and advertising. With a web and mobile version of the program, you can edit videos at your desk or on-the-go easily. 
  • Free 2-month trial
  • Plans starting at $49 a month
  • Anyone
  • Mobile
  • Marketing videos and ads