Editing, Sound and Finishing

AI generates clips; editing turns them into a video.

Editing software

DaVinci Resolve (free, professional), CapCut (fast for social), Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or browser editors. Many include AI helpers: auto-captions, background removal, upscaling and noise reduction.

Assembly

• Cut on action and keep clips short; social video moves fast.
• Use transitions sparingly: hard cuts usually look more professional.
• Colour-match clips so they look like one production (adjust white balance, contrast and saturation).

Sound is half the video

• Voice-over: record your own, or use AI voice tools for drafts and approved uses. Only clone a voice with the speaker's explicit consent.
• Music: use properly licensed tracks (royalty-free libraries, platform music libraries, or AI music tools whose terms allow commercial use).
• Sound effects add realism (pouring, steps, ambience).
• Balance levels: voice clear above music.

Captions

Most social video is watched without sound. Add captions (auto-generate, then correct) with readable size and contrast, kept inside platform safe areas.

Exporting

Export H.264 or H.265 MP4 at appropriate bitrates; for website background loops, keep files small and muted.

Exercise

Edit your six coffee-shop shots into a 20-second reel with music, a voice-over, sound effects and captions; colour-match the clips and export 9:16 and 1:1 versions.

Check yourself

• Why are captions essential for social video?
• What must you have before cloning someone's voice?
• What changes between 9:16 and 16:9 exports?