editing 101: Intro to the Timeline and why it can Boost your career Opportunities

Whether you’re an actor or a stunt performer, understanding the editing process is a game-changer. Why? Because knowing how to edit not only gives you a deeper insight into the filmmaking process but also empowers you to create your own content. In an time where social media and the ability to be boosted by algorithms really can make or break careers, your ability to craft great video content can be a superpower. Plus, by learning to edit, you can produce your own films and clips, building an impressive showreel without having to wait for someone else to hire you and hoping you appear in the final cut!

Why should Performers Should Learn Editing?
As performers, we often focus on what happens in front of the camera but understanding what happens behind the scenes, especially in the editing room, is incredibly important.

When you understand how editing works, you begin to appreciate the importance of timing, continuity, and how different shots come together to tell a cohesive story. This knowledge allows you to adjust your performances to better suit the editor’s needs, helping the production achieve a smoother workflow and, ultimately, a better final product.

Additionally, with platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube becoming the main place where people will go to see your reels or even where you can be discovered, the ability to edit your own content to professional standards has become an essential skill for self-promotion.

These platforms thrive on video content, and the more polished and professional your videos are, the more likely they are to capture attention and be boosted.

Being able to edit means you can take control of your online presence, showcasing your unique talents skills exactly how you want to. Whether it’s an action-packed stunt reel, a dramatic monologue, or a behind-the-scenes look at you training, you have the tools to make it happen.

Finally, by learning to edit, you’re no longer stuck waiting for opportunities - you’re creating them. You can produce short films, sketches, or showreels that highlight your talents, giving casting directors and producers a reason to take notice. In the competitive world of acting and stunts, this proactive approach can make all the difference.

Understanding the Timeline: The Heart of Your Editing ProjectNow that we’ve established why editing is so crucial, let’s dive into the first step of the process: understanding the timeline. The timeline is where the magic happens. It’s the workspace in Premiere Pro where you arrange, trim, and organise your video and audio clips. Think of it as a digital storyboard, where each piece of your story falls into place.

1. What Is a Timeline?
In simple terms, the timeline is a graphical representation of your video project. It shows you the sequence of your clips over time. Just like reading a comic strip, where each panel leads to the next, your timeline allows you to see how your video will unfold from start to finish.
When you import your video clips, audio, and other assets into Premiere Pro, they don’t just magically combine into a finished product. You need to place them onto the timeline, where you can arrange them in the right order, cut out the unnecessary parts, and add transitions or effects. The timeline is your canvas, and every clip is a piece of the puzzle.

2. The Basic Components of a Timeline
Here’s a quick breakdown of the timeline’s key components:

• Tracks: The timeline consists of multiple tracks, which are horizontal layers where your clips are placed. You’ll usually have separate tracks for video and audio. The video tracks are stacked on top of each other, with the top track appearing above the others in your final video. Similarly, the audio tracks play together, layering sounds to create a full soundscape.
  
  
• Clips: These are the building blocks of your project. A clip can be a video, an image, or an audio file. You place clips on the timeline, rearranging them as needed to build your sequence.
  
  
• Timecode: Timecode is like the ruler of your timeline, showing you exactly where you are in your project in hours, minutes, seconds, and frames. Understanding timecode helps you navigate your timeline with precision, especially when syncing video with audio or making fine adjustments.
  
  

3. Navigating the Timeline
At first glance, the timeline can seem overwhelming. All those tracks and clips might look like a jumble of confusion. But don’t worry—navigating the timeline is straightforward once you get the hang of it.

• 'Zooming' In and Out: You’ll often need to zoom in on your timeline to make precise edits or zoom out to see the bigger picture. In Premiere Pro, you can do this using the slider at the bottom of the timeline panel or by using shortcuts on your keyboard.
  
  
• 'Scrubbing' Backwards and Forwards: Scrubbing means moving your playhead (the vertical line that moves along the timeline) to different points in your video. This lets you quickly preview different parts of your sequence without having to play through the entire video. You can scrub through your timeline by dragging the playhead or by clicking directly on the timeline ruler.
  
  

4. The Importance of Timecode and Frames
Understanding timecode is essential for making precise edits. Timecode tells you exactly where you are in your video, down to the frame. This is crucial when you’re trying to sync up video and audio, match cuts, or make sure that everything lines up perfectly.
In film and video, there are 24 frames in a second (for cinematic projects), 30 frames (for most TV), or 60 frames (for smooth action sequences). When you edit, you’re often working at the frame level, making sure that every cut happens at the right moment. The timecode in Premiere Pro shows you exactly which frame you’re on, helping you to be as precise as possible.

Get Started with Your First Timeline
Now that you have a basic understanding of the timeline and some technical terminology, it’s time to try editing. Open up your editing programme, import your first set of clips, and start experimenting with placing them on the timeline.

Don’t worry about making something perfect at the start - editing is a process of trial and error and the more you play the quicker you will discover and master things like shortcuts, hotkeys and techniques that really can transform your raw footage or action sequences. 

At The ISA we teach action editing during our our Diploma Courses because it is an essential skill and really does transform a performers understanding of their work and how it fits into the bigger picture of filmmaking and entertainment content.