Raw footage is just ingredients. Editing is cooking — this is where your story actually
comes together. We'll use DaVinci Resolve: the same software used to edit Hollywood films like
Avengers, and it's completely free.
🧠
Key Concepts: The DaVinci Workflow
DaVinci Resolve is split into
tabs, each for a different stage of post-production. Professional editors move through them in order.
🎬
Media
Import your video and audio files into your project. Organise clips in the
Media Pool before touching the timeline.
✂️
Edit / Cut
Arrange clips on the timeline. Rough cut first — get the story right
before polishing anything.
🎨
Color
Color grade and correct your footage. Even a subtle warmth adjustment
makes video look intentional and professional.
🔊
Fairlight
Mix audio levels — your voice at -6 to -12dB, background music at -18dB
(felt, not heard).
📤
Deliver
Export your finished video. Use the YouTube preset for H.264 1080p MP4 —
the universal upload standard.
🛠️
The 7-Step Edit Workflow
Every professional editor
follows a workflow. Here's the one that gets beginners from raw footage to a polished export — in order.
1️⃣
Import Your Footage
In the Media tab, right-click the Media Pool and choose "Import Media."
Drag all clips to the timeline in the Edit tab.
2️⃣
Rough Cut
Don't perfect anything yet. Just get the story right — cut boring parts,
off-topic moments, and mistakes. Structure first.
3️⃣
Trim Silence & Pauses
Remove "um," "uh," and gaps between sentences. Your audience won't notice
the cuts — they'll just feel like you're fast and confident.
4️⃣
Add Music & Level It
Drag music to a second audio track. Set it to -18dB in the mixer so it
sits beneath your voice without fighting it.
5️⃣
Add a Title
In Effects → Toolbox → Titles, drag a "Text" onto the timeline above your
video. One clean title at the start is enough.
6️⃣
Quick Color Grade
In the Color tab, slightly warm up your Gain (highlights) and adjust Lift
(shadows). Small corrections look intentional. Less is more.
7️⃣
Export for YouTube
Go to Deliver → YouTube preset → Add to Render Queue → Render All. H.264,
1080p, MP4. Done.
⌨️
Must-Know Keyboard Shortcuts Space Play/Pause
B Blade Tool
A Select Tool
Cmd+Z Undo
Cmd+S Save
🎬
Watch & Learn
📺 DaVinci Resolve for Beginners — A crash course on the complete editing
workflow from import to export.
🕹️
Exercise: Editor's Decision Quiz
Editing is about making smart
decisions. For each situation, choose what a professional editor would do.
Question 1 of 4
🏆 Editor's Cut: Complete! Score:
Cut, Color, Export! ⭐
You've learned the complete editing workflow.
One module to go: publish your episode to the world.