Editing my video

 Hi readers, I have reached the editing part of my music video and just wanted to share the process of it. 

Being a media student, I understand the crucial role that post-production plays in shaping the final meaning and aesthetic of a music video. Choosing the right editing software is key in achieving the desired mise-en-scène, pacing, and emotional impact. I opted to use iMovie, as I had prior experience with the platform, which meant I was confident navigating its interface and understood how to utilise its range of editing tools. This included the ability to overlay text for lyrics (anchorage), insert non-diegetic audio such as laughter and ambient sound to enhance verisimilitude, and apply transitions that supported the nostalgic tone of my narrative. While conducting research into industry practices, I noticed that many successful artists – particularly those with an autobiographical element in their work – often rely on straightforward editing styles that don’t overshadow the emotion of the content. This validated my decision to prioritise emotional storytelling over complex visual effects.

Although many of my peers experimented with apps like CapCut, which offers a broader range of filters and effects, I chose to remain with iMovie because of its accessibility and my prior proficiency. My decision was also influenced by research into real media products and DIY artists who often use user-friendly editing software to create raw, authentic content. This reflects Blumler and Katz’s Uses and Gratifications theory – particularly personal identity and emotional connection – as audiences increasingly favour genuine, relatable content. iMovie allowed me to maintain this authenticity and supported the narrative arc of my music video, which explored themes of memory, separation, and personal growth.

That said, I did face occasional limitations, such as constraints around advanced layering and effects which might have been easier to apply in software like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve. However, I overcame these challenges by watching YouTube tutorials – a form of secondary research – to find workarounds and make the most of what iMovie had to offer. This problem-solving process reflects the iterative nature of media production, where constant testing, evaluating, and refining are essential. Ultimately, my choice of iMovie was not just about convenience, but about creating a product that reflected my personal identity and matched the conventions of real media texts I had analysed throughout the course.