Video Post-Production Guide: Editing, Output, and Workflow

Post-Production

During the video post-production stage, footage captured during production is taken through organizing, editing, and exporting processes to create a final product. Follow the 11-Step Editing Workflow below to streamline the final stage of video production.

Georgia Tech has teamed with Adobe Inc. to streamline digital media production across all platforms. We use and recommend the Adobe Creative Suite of professional video production tools.

Note: Video may be acquired in a variety of formats, sizes, and frame rates, but Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects will import most footage types without the need to transcode. 

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Pro Tip

For best production results, sequences in Premiere Pro and compositions in After Effects should match native video formats and frame rates as closely as possible. 

Rendering and Output Specifications

SettingRecommended Specification
Video Resolution3840 x 2160p (4K) or 1920 x 1080p (Full HD), 16:9 aspect ratio
Render FormatH.264
Frame Rate30fps (29.97) or 24fps (23.976)
AspectSquare pixels
Audio CodecAAC
Sample Rate48000 kHz
Channels16-bit Stereo
Audio QualityHigh
Bitrate [kbps]256
Render QualityMaximum

Encoding 

  • H.264 video is usually the best delivery codec for playback on the web.
  • Do not edit with h.264 coded video.
  • You will almost certainly encounter major issues, regardless of editing software used. 
  • It is recommended that you first transcode all source footage to be edited to a single and consistent codec. 
  • We recommend transcoding your source footage to the Apple ProRes 422 codec for editing in Adobe Premiere OR using the native codec of your video camera device (AVCHD, XDCAM, and others).   

11-Step Video Editing Workflow

Streamlining Production With Adobe Premiere

Click through and follow the recommendations below to optimize the video post-production process:

1. Organize the Project — Folder Structure and Naming Conventions

Folder StructureNaming Conventions
  • Before importing footage, organize your assets.
  • Use folders like “Footage,” “Audio,” “Graphics,” “Sequences,” “Exports,” and “Other” to make it easier to navigate and stay organized throughout the project.
  • Label your files and sequences clearly.
  • Use project-based prefixes (e.g., “CampusTour_Interview_A01.mp4”) to quickly identify specific clips.

2. Adjust Project Settings — Resolution, Frame Rate, and Scratch Disks

Project SettingsScratch Disks
  • Set up your project in the resolution and frame rate needed for the platform.
  • A standard format is HD (1920 x 1080) at 30 or 24 frames per second, though 4K (3840 x 2160) is becoming more common for higher-end productions.
  • Ensure that scratch disks (where Premiere stores temporary files) are set to a fast external or internal drive to avoid performance slowdowns.

3. Organize Media Assets — Bins, Labels, and Color Coding

Create BinsLabel and Color Code
  • Organize your media into bins (folders) for easy access. Group them by content type, such as “Interviews,” “B-roll,” “Music,” “Graphics,” and “SFX.”
  • Use Premiere’s labeling and color-coding features to quickly identify important clips or sections, such as interviews, key B-roll, or sections of the timeline.

4. Organize Sequences — Multi-Camera and Nested

Multi-Cam Editing for InterviewsNested Sequences
  • If you’re working with multiple camera angles for interviews or events, set up a multi-camera sequence to sync the footage. This makes it easier to switch between angles during the edit.
  • When working on complex timelines, use nested sequences to keep the main sequence clean and easier to manage.

5. Apply Editing Techniques — Ripple Trim, J-Cut, L-Cut, and Lumetri Color

Trimming and Ripple EditingJ-Cut and L-CutAdjusting Lumetri Color
  • Use shortcuts like “Q” and “W” for ripple trim (cut at the playhead, pulling clips together) to save time and keep the edit tight.
  • These cuts are helpful for maintaining a natural flow between interviews and B-roll. Let the audio from the interview start before cutting to the person talking (J-cut), or let the audio continue over the next clip (L-cut) for a smoother transition.
  • Ensure your footage looks cohesive by using Lumetri Color for basic color correction and color matching between clips.

6. Clean Up Audio and Add Captions — Essential Sound, Balanced Mix, and Accessibility

Audio Cleanup*Balanced MixCaptions/Subtitles
  • Use the Essential Sound panel to clean up and enhance audio. Label interviews as “Dialogue,” and B-roll sound as “Ambience” to apply appropriate presets.
  • Make sure the dialogue is clear and sits well with the music. Adjust the levels so the music doesn’t overpower any speaking parts (typically -6 to -12 decibels for background music).
  • Add captions for accessibility. Adobe Premiere has built-in captioning tools, which are crucial for educational content to reach broader audiences.

*Step-by-Step: Using Enhance Speech (AI Audio Cleanup)

  1. Import your audio or video.
  2. Bring your clip into the timeline.
  3. Open the Essential Sound Panel.
  4. Go to: Window > Essential Sound to open it.
  5. Tag the audio as “Dialogue.”
  6. Select your clip on the timeline.
  7. In the Essential Sound panel, click “Dialogue” to tag it correctly.
  8. Enable “Enhance Speech.”
  9. Scroll down to the “Enhance Speech” section.
  10. Toggle it on.
  11. Choose the enhancement level:
    1. Low – Good for minor cleanup.
    2. High – Stronger cleanup, removes more background but may sound more processed.
  12. Fine-tune if needed.
  13. You can also tweak other settings like:
    1. Clarity
    2. EQ Presets
    3. Reverb Reduction
    4. Background Noise Reduction (if you want to manually adjust in addition to Enhance Speech)
    5. Play Back and Adjust
  14. Preview the cleaned-up audio and adjust settings until it sounds right.

7. Add Interesting Visuals — B-Roll, Cutaways, and Speed Ramping

B-Roll VarietyStrategic CutawaysSpeed Ramping
  • Use a mix of wide shots, medium shots, and close-ups to make the content visually engaging. Show campus landmarks, classrooms, research labs, or students interacting.
  • When editing interviews, use cutaways to B-roll to hide jump cuts or visual breaks in the dialogue. This keeps the flow smooth and visually interesting.
  • Consider using speed ramping to emphasize key moments, especially in event highlight reels or dynamic footage of campus life.

8. Arrange Graphics and Titles — Lower Thirds, Motion Graphics, and Text Overlays

Lower ThirdsMotion GraphicsText Overlays
  • Use one of the Georgia Tech-branded lower third templates for introducing speakers. Ensure consistency in font, size, and placement.
  • Keep them simple and professional. You can create them in Adobe After Effects and import them into Premiere or use Essential Graphics directly in Premiere. Stick to the brand guidelines (colors, logo placements).
  • Use text to highlight key points. Ensure the font is legible and consistent with branding.

9. Prepare for Reviews — Markers, Versioning, and Stakeholder Feedback

Markers and NotesVersioningReview With Stakeholders
  • Use markers to indicate where changes are needed or to communicate with collaborators. Premiere lets you add notes to these markers.
  • Save different versions of your project (e.g., “Version 1.0,” “Version 1.1”) to avoid confusion and easily track changes. Always back up your project regularly.
  • Before finalizing, review the video with key stakeholders (faculty, marketing, etc.) for feedback on content, tone, and branding.

10. Adjust Export Settings — Presets and File Names

PresetsFile Naming
  • For most online platforms (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.), use the H.264 format and the “YouTube 1080p Full HD” preset.
  • For larger productions or archival purposes, you may want to export in a higher resolution or format (Apple ProRes, Digital Nonlinear Extensible High Definition (DNxHD).
  • Name your exported files in a clear, descriptive way, such as “Campus_Tour_Final_1080p.mp4” or “Faculty_Interview_v2.mp4.”

11. Protect the Project — Back Up and Archive

Back Up Your Project FilesArchive
  • Use external drives or cloud storage to save backups of your project files, media, and exports.
  • After the project is finished, archive the full project, including media, to an external hard drive or cloud service in case you need to make changes or reference the project later.