In short
- We start by assessing what you have, because the edit can only be as good as the footage.
- Tell us the audience, length and where it will be shown before anything is cut.
- Music, faces and permissions in the footage are checked before the film is shared.
- Review rounds and delivery files are agreed in the scope.
Not every event is filmed by the videographer who edits it. You may have phone clips from guests, files from another videographer, or a recording you never had time to use. We edit that footage into a finished film.
Editing existing footage is a core service. We start by looking at what you have, then agree a plan that suits it.
What we can make from existing footage
The finished video depends on what was filmed. Typical outputs are:
| Output | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Highlight film | A short edited story with music | Sharing with members, families and sponsors |
| Speech or ceremony cut | A speaker or segment cleaned up and kept in full | Archive and those who could not attend |
| Social clips | Short vertical or square cuts | Posting on social media |
| Compilation | Clips from several people joined into one film | Events where guests shot most of the footage |
The deliverables sheet helps you write down which you want.
Step one: we assess what you have
An edit can only use what the cameras caught. Before quoting, we look at a sample and ask:
- Coverage: were the key moments filmed, and from how many angles?
- Picture: is it sharp, steady and well lit?
- Sound: can speech be heard clearly, or is it buried in noise?
- Format: what file types, frame rates and orientations are involved?
- Amount: roughly how much footage there is.
We then tell you plainly what the edit can deliver. If sound is the main problem, we say so, since that is the hardest to repair. The video storage and transfer calculator helps you plan how to send large files.
What to tell us before we start
A clear brief saves rounds of changes. Please share:
- Who the film is for and where it will be shown.
- The length you have in mind, and the tone, such as warm, formal or lively.
- The people and moments that must appear, and any that should not.
- Names, titles and spellings to show on screen.
- Any music, logos or style you would like.
- The format: wide screen, vertical or both. The video format and framing planner explains the choice.
If you cannot answer everything, send what you know. The event video brief builder also supports existing-footage requests.
Rights and permissions
Footage from many sources raises questions we ask before the film is shared:
- Who filmed it, and did they agree to its use?
- Are there people on camera who did not want to be shared, or children whose use needs a parent’s or school’s consent?
- Does the footage include music playing in the room?
- Do you want a private version for members and a public version for social media?
As the owner or organiser, you decide how the footage may be used, and we flag any issues we see. The filming and publication responsibilities checklist and our permissions guide explain what to settle.
Review and delivery
We share a draft for you to review. Collecting feedback from your team in one list, with the time in the video, keeps each round short. The timecoded feedback builder and revision planner help with that. Our editing and delivery guide explains the usual stages.
The number of review rounds, the file formats and how you receive them are written in the quote. Before approving, use the final video acceptance checklist. If you need captions or subtitles, see event video captions and subtitles.
Keeping the footage afterwards
Once the film is done, decide what to keep: originals, the edited film and any alternative versions. The archive and handover planner lists the choices, and the guide to keeping and reusing event recordings explains how to store them safely.
What moves the quote
For an edit, the quote follows how much footage there is, its condition, the number of finished videos and any sound repair. We quote after seeing a sample, as set out on our pricing page. If you also need new filming, tell us and we scope both together.
If you can tell us what was filmed, how much there is and where the finished video will be shown, we can tell you what is realistic. Send those details and a sample of the footage, and we will confirm what is possible.
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