Let’s start off with the fact that the images above were both AI generated. I used prompts like “a 1950s style robot editing video on the beach”, and “robot helping hipster dude edit video in an editing suite, classical painting” and within 5-10 seconds I had what I wanted.
Everything about how we consume the digital world is about to change forever. So, in 2022, how does this apply to video? What can AI do, in its current state, to streamline the content creation process?
I don’t want to go into every single detail in the post, but rather educate those who might not know about the big steps that are currently being taken. As AI becomes more advanced and sophisticated, it is likely to play an increasingly important role in the work of video editors and other professionals in the media industry.
AI and the video editing process
One of the most significant benefits of AI for video editors is its ability to speed up and streamline the editing process. Video editing can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive task, particularly when it comes to sifting through large amounts of footage to find the most relevant clips and pieces of audio. AI algorithms can analyze footage and identify patterns and themes, making it easier for editors to quickly locate the most relevant content.
Face Detection in DaVinci Resolve can automatically detect and tag faces in a video, making it easier for editors to search and find specific shots or clips later on. This can be particularly useful for large video projects with many different shots and clips, as it allows editors to quickly and easily locate the content they need.
Color correcting footage is also a huge space for AI to make its mark.
DaVinci Resolve, a professional-grade video editing software, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help video editors automatically color correct footage. Using AI algorithms, DaVinci Resolve can analyze the colors of a video and automatically adjust the hue, saturation, and luminance to achieve a more consistent and pleasing look. While this AI-powered feature can be a great time-saver, it is important to note that it is only capable of creating a basic level of color correction. The human eye is still needed to fine-tune the colors and ensure that they are fully optimized for the final video.
In fact, while this feature is controversial in terms of results, I think the point is that the potential to at least get to a great starting point is certainly there.
AI can also be used to automatically synchronize audio and video, eliminating the need for manual synchronization. By automating these types of tasks, AI can help video editors save time and reduce the risk of errors.
Speaking of audio, Adobe Premiere’s AI-powered music remixing feature is a great example of how AI is being used to streamline and enhance the work of video editors. Using AI algorithms, Premiere can analyze the audio of a video and identify the different musical elements, such as the beat and melody. It can then use this information to automatically create a new mix of the music, matching the length and pacing of the video. This can save video editors a significant amount of time and effort, as they no longer have to manually adjust the audio to fit their video.
Organizing the Creative Process
A huge part of organizing – when it comes to storytelling – can be organizing thoughts. Moments. Storylines. The actual meat of the video! Adobe Premiere now includes a feature called Speech to Text, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically transcribe spoken dialogue in a video. This can be a useful tool for editors looking to quickly and easily create subtitles or closed captions for their videos.
Long interviews can now be converted to text easily, quickly, and for FREE. Editors simply need to select the audio track that contains the spoken dialogue and choose the “Speech to Text” option from the menu. Premiere Pro will then use its AI capabilities to automatically transcribe the spoken dialogue, creating a text transcript that can be edited and formatted as needed.
One of the main benefits of the Speech to Text feature in Premiere Pro is that it can save clients money on expensive, manual transcriptions. While AI generated transcriptions may not be 100% accurate, they can often get you 90% of the way there, and the remaining errors can be corrected quickly and easily by an editor. This can be a much more cost-effective solution than hiring a professional transcriber, particularly for longer or more complex audio tracks.
This is a huge part of RNT’s workflow – the ability to import transcripts into Google Sheets, color code and organize different speakers and topics within a given set of interviews, and quickly build a coherent story – is absolutely invaluable. It allows us to create a rough cut to share with clients before we even touch a piece of footage.
Sure, some moments in the actual footage might not live up to their text counterparts (think trailing off, too many ums…) but the fact that everything has already been organized (and is now searchable) allows us to quickly find replacements. The fact of the matter is that ideas, moments, and important storylines are just straight up more accessible.
Compare this to stringing out interview footage in a timeline, and spending hours, nights – even WEEKS – sifting through answers, manually marking up the timeline, and trying to remember where you heard that one phrase 6 hours ago!
Can’t Replace Us Yet!
While AI can streamline a number of processes when it comes to content creation, fortunately we’re not all about to lose our jobs!
Video editing requires a high level of creativity and artistic judgment. While AI can certainly be used to assist with certain tasks, such as identifying and selecting shots to use or automatically correcting color balance, it may not have the same level of creative insight as a human editor.
Second, video editing often requires a deep understanding of the context and purpose of a video, as well as the target audience. This can include understanding the tone, mood, and message of the video, as well as the emotional response that it is intended to elicit from the audience. While AI can certainly be programmed to understand certain elements of context and purpose, it may not have the same level of understanding of human emotions and intentions as a human editor.
Finally, video editing can be a highly collaborative process, involving input and feedback from multiple people. While AI can certainly be used to facilitate collaboration, it may not be able to fully replace the role of a human editor in this process.
The Future of AI and Video Editing
The future of AI and video editing As AI technology continues to evolve, it is likely to play an even greater role in the work of video editors and other professionals in the media industry. For example, AI might be used to automate more complex tasks, such as the creation of custom graphics or the optimization of audio levels. AI might also be used to create entirely new types of content, such as interactive or personalized video experiences.
Artificial intelligence is already having a significant impact on the field of video editing, and this trend is likely to continue in the future. By speeding up and streamlining the editing process, enhancing creative decision-making, and optimizing content distribution, AI has the potential to revolutionize the way that video content is produced and consumed. As AI technology continues to advance, it is likely to play an increasingly important role in the work of video editors and other professionals in the media industry.
Overall, it is likely that AI will continue to be used as an assistive technology in the field of video editing, rather than fully replacing human editors. However, it is important for video editors to be aware of the potential impacts of AI and to continue developing and honing their skills in order to remain competitive in the job market.
And let’s bring this home where it really belongs – at the end of the day, these tools will allow us to get the same work done, but faster, more efficiently, and at a lower cost. This means I, as a video production professional, can spend more time with (and money on) my family. That is the real reason that this is huge.
