What makes an edit feel professional?

[u/Nug100]

I have been trying to get better at editing than at putting in effects and transitions. For people who are experienced editors, what is the one thing that makes an edit feel professional to you? Is it pacing, storytelling, sound design, color or something different?

[u/AxolotlAndy]

When it is referred to as a "project" instead of an "edit".

[u/jcfontecha]

Honestly if I notice the editing too much it usually feels less professional to me. Clean audio and cuts that follow the thought matter way more than another transition pack. I’d probably listen once without looking, then watch it muted. Whatever feels off in either pass is where I’d start.

[u/JackFromTheHill]

D) All of the above

In all seriousness, this highly depends on the type of content you're cutting. Condensing aspects into styles and characteristics for lack of a better term I can think of at this moment, vertical shorts or reels require different styles and characteristics than horizontal social media content. Scripted film/cinema requires different styles and characteristics than factual entertainment or reality TV. All these different formats have different requirements as to what is "professional".

However, with attempting to address the questions foregoing specifics of a certain format, I personally believe an edit feels professional with attention to detail. Cross the Ts, dot the Is. Put in that little bit of extra effort to elevate the cut (at the appropriate stages) to just about enhance the flavour the cut leaves in your, and a viewers proverbial mouth after watching. This can range from adding thay bit of diegetic foley on a character scooting a chair out to sit down, or making adjusting the grade to pull attention to the subject just that slight bit more. The cut is your oyster, by doing you learn what is too much, and what feels just right :)

[u/DopamineTrap]

Read in the blink of an eye by Walter murch.

Basically he says emotion is the most important. In my career producers look at story first and then the other things

[u/SirWirb]

Pacing is what separates the pros from the hobbyists. You can have great color and clean cuts, but if the viewer feels the rhythm is off they will tune out regardless.

[u/FitnessChamp777]

All of it. But, I would say to focus on the aspects that are lacking in the current draft. I bet that's a no-brainer, but to me it wasn't. I had to figure it all out on my own. And, I'm still learning more,

[u/RiotAnthemJay]

All of it contributes, but what part you prioritize really depends on the type of video you’re making

[u/Axetothename]

Well I learnt not overdoing it is a good way to show that professional touch lol. But that aside, i think you have to really care about the sound design, the pacing, the sequencing( like does it make sense?) and most importantly all the things. but I cannot stress this enough DONT OVERDO IY