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How To Edit Video (Near & Far Cuts)

by Mike Bradson
10 replies
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I'm looking to create a video where I'm talking in front of the camera and every so often it cuts to a mid-close up of me and then goes back to a wider shot.

Eben Pagan does this perfectly in his videos:
Official Double Your Dating | David DeAngelo's Double Your Dating

Notice how the camera keeps jumping closer to him and then further away? This is what I'd like to create.

How does one accomplish this effect?
Can you do it with 1 camcorder or do you need 2?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
#cuts #edit #video
  • Profile picture of the author Richard Whyte
    Hi Mike

    If you want to do this with a single camera, what you need to do is record the entire talk two times. Then in your editing software, you have some editing to do so that you mix the two videos together.

    Most people that are doing this type of work are using either Adobe Premiere or Sony Vegas Video.

    I have used both and my choice is Vegas Video..... But that is just me....

    Plan out your video with a brief storyboard so you know were you are going to be doing the cuts beforehand for best effect. Then you are ready to go once you record the two takes.

    Hope that helps you out.

    Have a Great Day!
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Bradson
    Hi Richard,

    Thanks a lot for clearing that up. I was hoping there would be a way where you could just do 1 take and then cut, zoom in, play, cut, zoom out to create that effect, but I guess that wouldn't work.

    Thanks for the software suggestions as well. Do you know if you could do that sort of thing (with 2 separate takes) with Camtasia?
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Bradson
    Also, do you know what kind of cut/edit that is called?
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  • Profile picture of the author getsmartt
    Actually Camtasia has a built in "zoom" function which should accomplish this for you.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Bradson
      Originally Posted by getsmartt View Post

      Actually Camtasia has a built in "zoom" function which should accomplish this for you.
      Really? So you could, in theory, do these kinds of edits/cuts in just 1 take? Would zooming in on the original video comprise the quality?
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      • Profile picture of the author getsmartt
        Originally Posted by Mike Bradson View Post

        Really? So you could, in theory, do these kinds of edits/cuts in just 1 take? Would zooming in on the original video comprise the quality?
        As Brandon points out, yes this will "degrade" the quality, but so, of course, will compressing the video so it is viewable over the internet. I would suggest trying it (shoot your video in the highest quality available) out and seeing if you can live with the degradation.
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    • Profile picture of the author Brandon Tanner
      Originally Posted by getsmartt View Post

      Actually Camtasia has a built in "zoom" function which should accomplish this for you.
      Anytime you use digital "zoom" (ie post production "zoom"), the image quality suffers. If you record the video in standard def. you can't zoom in very much digitally without losing sharpness. If you record in hi-def, you can zoom in a little more before image quality starts to take a hit.

      If it's an option, the best way to do this is to record with 2 cameras at the same time (1 up close and 1 pulled back), then mix the footage together when editing. Or like Richard said, you could just use 1 camera and record everything twice. It's a bit harder to maintain "flow" if you do it that way though.
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      • Profile picture of the author Mike Bradson
        Originally Posted by Brandon Tanner View Post

        Anytime you use digital "zoom" (ie post production "zoom"), the image quality suffers. If you record the video in standard def. you can't zoom in very much digitally without losing sharpness. If you record in hi-def, you can zoom in a little more before image quality starts to take a hit.

        If it's an option, the best way to do this is to record with 2 cameras at the same time (1 up close and 1 pulled back), then mix the footage together when editing. Or like Richard said, you could just use 1 camera and record everything twice. It's a bit harder to maintain "flow" if you do it that way though.
        Thanks Brandon. Those were my thoughts exactly. Only problem is that I just got my first camcorder last night and the thought of dropping $500 for another camera isn't appealing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Richard Whyte
    Mike

    I use my Kodak Zi8 for doing all of my recording. It can record in High Def or whatever you want. With a 32 GB memory card and a clip on mic with a 20 ft cable back to the camera, I got the entire thing for under $200 off of eBay... Brand new!

    I like this as it records in digital format and is super easy to use. It even has a built in USB plug that you can pop out and plug right into your laptop or computer and transfer the video.

    With the 32 GB card, I can record up to 10 hours in HD and the picture is sharp. Now, with a basic lighting setup and two of these puppies running, you can get the shots you want.

    If you are shooting indoors, you want to setup your own light box. I do this with 5 lights I purchased from Home Depot. very cost effective and gives you quality lighting for your videos.

    Have a Great Day!
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  • Profile picture of the author Richard Whyte
    Oh, Almost forgot. Yes, Camtasia can zoom in, and this is not bad when you are doing a screen capture, but the results when you are doing a video shoot of people..... Well, for me it looks bad. I have not had much success with Camtasia and zooming on video shots of people.

    As with everything else... "Your results may vary"....
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