Crafting Impactful Narratives: How to Crop and Trim a Video

Have you ever wanted to crop and trim a video? Well, you're not alone. In fact, it's one of the most helpful editing skills you need. If you're using video to tell a story, then you may want to keep the audience glued to the screen. The secret? Having content that is engaging, perfectly sized, and highlighting the right moments. But how? Read on!

Crop V.S. Trim

Cropping highlights the visual focus in a video frame. When you crop the frame of a video, you cut away a portion of the frame and zoom in on a specific area so the surrounding elements are removed or blurred from sight. Trimming involves removing segments of the video from the beginning, end, or even the middle of the video. It keeps lengthy videos short and straight to the point without altering the content flow.

Although used interchangeably, cropping and trimming serve different purposes. Cropping readjusts the focus of an image or video while trimming removes the unnecessary parts of your video or audio file.

Below are top tips to help you trim and crop a video to get the best output that can captivate viewers!



Best practices to trim and crop a video

1. Decide on the vocal focus

Before you trim and crop the video, you need to pinpoint what you want to highlight. Once you've established your focus, identify the critical elements within the frame that contribute to that focus. If it's a person speaking, consider whether to highlight their face, specific features, or a product they're showcasing. Now, crop out any distracting elements that divert attention from your main subject. And if your video contains watermarks of logos that ruin the storyline, carefully crop or trim them.

2. Choose aspect ratios

The next item to check on your list will be the aspect ratios. Your video's aspect ratio will be determined by where you will share the video. Will you share it on Instagram, YouTube or maybe Facebook? Keep in mind that these platforms have different requirements for video aspect ratios. For example, Facebook's recommended size for videos is 16:9 to 9:16, while Snapchat's is 9:16.

3. Leverage a professional video trimmer and cropper.

Tools like CapCut are available to assist you in all your editing projects. CapCut is an all-in-one multimedia editor with a range of features that help you edit videos easily. For all your trimming and cropping needs, use CapCut resize video. It enables you to adjust the dimensions of your video and shorten its length. Here are some of its key features.

• Multiple aspect ratios for resizing

Many content creators face the challenge of crafting engagement content and turning these pieces of content into the appropriate formats like reels, stories, and posts. The resize video allows you to adapt your content to the proper channel. So, if you need an Instagram reel, you can easily adjust the aspect ratio to 9:16 and effortlessly switch to other ratios like 16:9, 4:3, etc.

• Trim with timestamps-based precision

It helps you make accurate edits by specifying exact time points for the beginning, middle, or end of a trimmed video. This is beneficial in situations when you need to synchronize the content with specific events or timelines.

• Integration with the CapCut editor

The resize video seamlessly integrates with the CapCut editor, which offers a comprehensive set of editing features beyond basic resizing. You will access more advanced controls for removing unwanted sections, accurately dividing the video, and adjusting the frame.

• Use for free

You can easily use it without any payment.

Steps to use CapCut's resize video

Wishing to crop out that unwanted bystander who photobombed your stunning shot? If the answer is yes, try CapCut out now!

Step
1. Upload
2. To get started with the resize video, upload your video to the platform; you can upload it from your device, CapCut Cloud Space, or drag and drop the file.
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Step
4. Crop and trim
5. Choose an aspect ratio. The tool offers many options, from YouTube ads to Instagram posts' aspect ratios, or you can stick to your video's original aspect ratio.
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7. From there, click on ''Background'' at the top right corner to choose your preferred color from the color palette to change your background color.
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9. You can also decide to blur your backdrop by selecting any of the options as shown in the screenshot.
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11. To trim the length of your video, click on the split icon directly above the video and drag the cursor to whatever point you want to cut. But if you are not satisfied with the results, select "Undo" to turn the video into its original form and trim again.
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13. I f you want to keep editing. You can access CapCut's abundant editing features, such as splitting scenes, transcript-based editing, and adding captions, text overlays, and various sound effects, as well as utilizing its free stock of templates, filters and transitions, etc.
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Step
15. Export

Select "Export" to save your edited video to your device. You can share it as a link for review or as a presentation or post it directly on your social media page on TikTok and YouTube.



3. Consider the storyline

Before you crop or trim, have a clear understanding of your story's arc and the key moments you want to emphasize. It also helps set in and out points on the timeline to specify the sections you need to trim. Another vital thing to note is transition. Always aim for a seamless flow to avoid confusing the viewer and maintain a natural storytelling flow. Lastly, adjust the pacing of your edits to match the tone and mood of the storyline. Know when to time the crops or trims so you are creating or evoking the right emotion. For example, quick cuts create tension or excitement, while slower transitions evoke contemplation or anticipation.

4. Mind the resolution

It is always best to start with high-resolution source footage because it will provide more flexibility when you trim and crop video. Also, it is important to preserve the clarity and visual appeal of your content by maintaining a consistent resolution throughout the editing process. If you are suffering from low-res video quality, consider using a video upscaler to improve its sharpness.



5. Avoid over-trimming

Over-trimming can result in incoherence, leaving viewers needing clarification about the storyline. To be safe, you should engage with a mock audience to test their understanding of the content. Then, use the feedback to reassess whether you've trimmed too much and if portions of the content need more context to be understood.

6. Balanced audio

Audio is a crucial aspect of your video. It is vital to ensure the dialogue is clear and intelligible. When trimming a video crop frame with dialogue, be careful not to remove too much. You should also pay attention to audio transitions and avoid abrupt cuts in audio so that the viewer is clear about the narrative flow. You can cut out filler words and unwanted pauses or set speech gaps with CapCut's transcript-based editing options.

7. Back up the original footage

It is always better to create a backup when dealing with video or audio files so you do not lose them for good. Another reason to make duplicates of the original video footage is so you can have an untainted version for reference. Create a folder to save both the original and edited copies.

8. Preview before exporting

Only post videos you have previewed. Previews allow you to assess the overall flow and coherence after trimming and cropping so you can make changes. Another thing to look out for during previews is visual consistency. Look out for any disruptions that are inconsistent in framing or resolution. Also, listen to the audio to confirm they are balanced, aligned with the visuals, and that the dialogue is clear.

9. Share for feedback

Share your video with others to receive feedback or a second opinion. A different perspective can help you address problems that you missed during the editing process. Sharing your videos online for review and collaborative input can enhance the quality of your edits. Even better, you get to increase your social media following!



Conclusion

Trimming would remove the unwanted parts of your video. At the same time, cropping will readjust the focus of your shot or change the aspect ratios to fit within a specific area. It is that easy! Moreso, with tools like CapCut, anybody from the budding Youtuber to the mum who has filmed their child's birthday party can learn to crop a video frame like a pro.

FAQS

1. Can I crop a video frame on my smartphone?
2. Yes, it is possible to crop a video frame on your phone using the CapCut mobile editing app. Open the CapCut app, click on "add new project," and upload the video you want to crop. Open the video, and you will see features like effects and audio listed below. Click on "Edit" (it has the scissors icon), go through all the options by sliding to the left, and tap on "Edit." You will see 3 categories: Mirror, Rotate, and Crop. Select "Crop" and choose from the aspect ratios listed, or crop out the unwanted parts of the video by sliding the box inwards to contain the portions you want in the video. If you like what you see, click on the "Checkmark" icon below, and if you don't, click Reset to go back to the original video and crop again.
3. Does cropping the frame of a video reduce file size?
4. Yes, cropping the frame of a video can reduce file size. However, the proportions depend on several factors. Say you cut a large portion of the video or removed a segment of the tape containing movement or color variation; it can result in a more considerable reduction in file size. On the other hand, cropping out a small section of the video may not significantly lessen file size.
5. Can I add transitions after I crop and trim my video?
6. Yes. With CapCut resize video, it is easier to crop and trim your footage. After cropping and trimming, click on ''Edit more'' at the top of the CapCut resize video interface to access the CapCut video editor. The CapCut video editor offers incredible transitions to elevate your content and aid in storytelling. Once your clip is opened in the timeline, move the vertical line at the beginning of the video to the point where you want to add transitions. Select ''Transitions'' on the left side of the screen and choose from CapCut's many templates and effects like overlay and glitch.