Editing compilation videos with user generated content

Editing compilation videos - helpful tips showing list of files — Original video file names

Editing compilation videos is an established part of my work as a freelance video editor. Clients may wish to include some of their own user-generated content (UGC) clips alongside any filming I may carry out for their projects.

What is a compilation video?

A compilation video brings together many different shots into a longer video, often with added text and music. I have edited many compilation videos featuring greetings sent from family and friends around the world to celebrate special occasions. People generally film these on a smartphone and send them to me so I can edit everything together to make it look and sound great.

Variable quality video

I receive a wide and varied assortment of video clips of varying quality. Contributors may film on completely different cameras, using different frame rates, resolutions, and codecs, none of which may suit the project’s technical requirements. As a freelance video editor, I need to assess how best to manage such a wide range of content.

This takes advance thought and planning. The goal is always to get the best possible result from whatever arrives in my inbox. To help freelance video editors and their clients tackle these compatibility challenges, I have put together two lists of practical tips, one for sending media, and one for receiving it.

Tips on sending media to a freelance video editor

Here is what to consider when sending user-generated content for editing compilation videos.

Avoid WhatsApp. WhatsApp compresses photos and videos by around a quarter when you share them. You cannot restore that lost quality at the other end. Flag this with your client or contributor at the start of every project and suggest a better alternative.
Use a file transfer service instead. Good options include WeTransfer (free for smaller files, paid for larger ones), Google Drive (ideal for Gmail users), and MyAirBridge (a paid option for large transfers fast, efficient, and my personal preference).
Use a better camera app. Most smartphone cameras don’t let you fix settings like frame rate. If the content creator is technically astute I recommend FILMIC Pro it gives you much more control. That said, some contributors will only be able to deliver what they can, not what is technically ideal.
Check out my list of smartphone filming tips for more guidance on getting the best footage before it reaches the edit.

Tips on receiving media if you are a freelance video editor

Look after your hard drives. Never move a spinning disc drive. Always unmount it first and let it stop completely before you move it or pick it up.
Plan for mixed media. Your compilation video may include photographs and voiceover audio alongside video clips.
Budget for unsupported file formats. Some files need to be converted or transcoded before they work in your editing software. This takes extra time and can add cost and is something clients may not anticipate when you first quote for a project.
Keep your media local. My preference is to store everything locally. I use Promise Pegasus RAID 5 drives, all backed up to G-Tech drives.

Setting a technical specification

Ideally, agree a technical specification for all video submissions before anyone starts filming. This might cover codec, aspect ratio, raster size, bit rate, format, and frame rate. When editing for broadcasters like the BBC or Netflix, these standards are set in advance. With UGC, contributors often film the best they can without asking what settings to use. That can create real compatibility headaches so getting ahead of it early saves time for everyone.

- Find out how much footage you are receiving in minutes and gigabytes. One person sending a large selection of clips needs different advice to someone sending a single short clip.
- Ask contributors to check their network speed before transferring. This tells you whether broadband is fast enough or whether another method makes more sense.
- For local clients with large amounts of footage, a courier delivery is often the most efficient solution.
- For large transfers from slow or distant connections, posting a drive using an insured international postal service can be the best option. Always make sure the media is backed up before that drive leaves anyone’s hands.
- Run a virus scan on every external drive you receive. This is the first thing I do before connecting anything to my system.
- Ask how and where your client will play the final video. Knowing the end device helps you deliver a compatible file format.
- Ask contributors to back up everything before sending. They should have at least one copy on a separate drive or SSD before any transfer takes place.

Freelance video editor based in London

Working as a freelance video editor in London, I edit a wide variety of content, short and long, including editing compilation videos that combine my own filmed work with clients’ digital submissions.

If you need help or advice with your project, get in touch.