Video Editor

Video Editor — Professional Post-Production

Companion skills: remotion · video-gen · faceless-youtube

When to Use

Trigger phrases:

• "edit this video" · "add captions" · "color grade" · "make a promo video"
• "merge clips" · "add music" · "watermark" · "optimize for instagram"
• "speed ramp" · "slow motion" · "lower third" · "add transitions"

Use cases:

• Post-production editing of AI-generated or recorded footage
• Adding captions/subtitles with brand styling
• Color grading and visual correction
• Audio mixing, ducking, and loudness normalization
• Creating promotional videos from raw clips
• Platform-specific export (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn)
• Batch processing multiple videos
• Thumbnail extraction and creation

When NOT to use:

• When creating video from scratch with React (use remotion)
• When generating video from AI models (use video-gen)
• When the task requires real-time editing (use a NLE like DaVinci Resolve)

Overview

FFmpeg is the industry-standard tool for video post-production. This skill covers professional-grade filter graphs for promotional videos: color grading, audio design, kinetic text, transitions, motion effects, and multi-platform export.

Process

1. Ingest — Analyze source footage (duration, resolution, codec, audio levels)
2. Assembly — Trim, arrange, and concatenate clips
3. Color grade — Apply LUTs, curves, contrast, and color harmony
4. Audio design — Mix music, voiceover, SFX; apply ducking and normalization
5. Add text — Captions, lower thirds, title cards, CTAs
6. Add brand — Logo overlay, watermark, consistent color scheme
7. Transitions — Crossfade, wipe, or zoom between scenes
8. Motion effects — Speed ramps, slow-mo, Ken Burns, motion blur
9. Export — Master file + platform-specific optimized versions
10. Thumbnail — Extract best frame, add text overlay

Promo Video Structure

Professional promotional videos follow a proven narrative arc:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  HOOK (0-3s)          │ Grab attention immediately              │
│  Bold text / motion   │ "Stop scrolling" moment                 │
├───────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  PROBLEM (3-8s)       │ State the pain point                    │
│  Text + B-roll        │ "You're wasting hours on..."            │
├───────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  SOLUTION (8-20s)     │ Show your product/service               │
│  Screen recording /   │ "Here's how X fixes this"               │
│  product demo         │                                         │
├───────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  PROOF (20-30s)       │ Social proof, metrics, testimonials     │
│  Stats / quotes       │ "10K+ users" / "4.9★ rating"           │
├───────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  CTA (30-45s)         │ Clear call to action                    │
│  Bold text + logo     │ "Try free today" + URL                  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Timing Guide

Professional FFmpeg Filter Graphs

1. Color Grading

Apply LUT (Look-Up Table)

# Apply a .cube LUT file for cinematic color grading
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "lut3d=file='cinematic.cube'" -c:a copy graded.mp4

# Apply LUT with reduced intensity (50% blend)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "
  [0:v]split[orig][lut];
  [lut]lut3d=file='cinematic.cube'[graded];
  [orig][graded]blend=all_expr='A*(1-0.5)+B*0.5'
" -c:a copy graded-subtle.mp4

Manual Color Correction

# Lift shadows, boost highlights, add warmth
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "
  curves=lighter=0/0 0.25/0.22 0.5/0.52 0.75/0.78 1/1:
         green=0/0 0.5/0.48 1/1:
         blue=0/0 0.5/0.47 1/1,
  eq=brightness=0.03:contrast=1.1:saturation=1.15
" -c:a copy color-corrected.mp4

Cinematic Teal & Orange

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "
  curves=
    r='0/0.05 0.3/0.25 0.5/0.55 0.7/0.75 1/0.9':
    g='0/0.03 0.3/0.2 0.5/0.48 0.7/0.7 1/0.85':
    b='0/0.1 0.3/0.3 0.5/0.45 0.7/0.6 1/0.7',
  eq=saturation=1.3:contrast=1.15,
  unsharp=5:5:0.8
" -c:a copy teal-orange.mp4

High-Contrast Promo Look

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "
  eq=contrast=1.3:brightness=0.02:saturation=1.2,
  curves=master='0/0 0.15/0.05 0.5/0.55 0.85/0.95 1/1',
  unsharp=5:5:1.0
" -c:a copy high-contrast-promo.mp4

2. Audio Design

Background Music + Voiceover Mixing

# Mix voiceover (primary) with background music (ducked)
ffmpeg -i voiceover.mp4 -i music.mp3 -filter_complex "
  [0:a]volume=1.0[vo];
  [1:a]volume=0.15[music];
  [vo][music]amix=inputs=2:duration=shortest:dropout_transition=3
" -c:v copy -c:a aac -b:a 192k mixed.mp4

Audio Ducking (Auto-Lower Music During Speech)

# Sidechain compress: music ducks when voice is present
ffmpeg -i voiceover.mp4 -i music.mp3 -filter_complex "
  [1:a][0:a]sidechaincompress=threshold=0.02:ratio=10:attack=200:release=1000[ducked];
  [0:a]volume=1.0[vo];
  [vo][ducked]amix=inputs=2:duration=shortest
" -c:v copy -c:a aac ducked-mix.mp4

Loudness Normalization (EBU R128)

# Normalize to broadcast standard (-14 LUFS for streaming)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -af "loudnorm=I=-14:TP=-1.5:LRA=11" -c:v copy normalized.mp4

# Two-pass for accurate normalization
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -af "loudnorm=I=-14:TP=-1.5:LRA=11:print_format=json" -f null - 2>&1 | tail -12
# Then apply measured values in second pass:
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -af "loudnorm=I=-14:TP=-1.5:LRA=11:measured_I=-20:measured_TP=-3:measured_LRA=8" -c:v copy normalized.mp4

Fade In/Out

# Audio fade in (0.5s) and fade out (1s) at end
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -af "afade=t=in:st=0:d=0.5,afade=t=out:st=29:d=1" -c:v copy audio-faded.mp4

3. Text & Captions

Animated Title Card

# Title that fades in, holds, fades out (frames 0-90 = 3s at 30fps)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "
  drawtext=text='YOUR BRAND':
    fontfile=fonts/Bold.ttf:
    fontsize=120:
    fontcolor=white:
    borderw=3:
    bordercolor=black@0.3:
    x=(w-text_w)/2:
    y=(h-text_h)/2:
    enable='between(t,0,3)':
    alpha='if(lt(t,0.5),t*2,if(gt(t,2.5),(3-t)*2,1))'
" -c:a copy title-card.mp4

Lower Third (Name + Title)

# Animated lower third with background bar
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "
  drawbox=x=0:y=ih-160:w=iw:h=160:color=black@0.7:t=fill:
    enable='between(t,2,8)',
  drawtext=text='John Smith':
    fontfile=fonts/Bold.ttf:fontsize=48:fontcolor=white:
    x=60:y=ih-130:
    enable='between(t,2,8)':
    alpha='if(lt(t,2.5),(t-2)*2,if(gt(t,7.5),(8-t)*2,1))',
  drawtext=text='CEO, Company':
    fontfile=fonts/Regular.ttf:fontsize=32:fontcolor=white@0.8:
    x=60:y=ih-80:
    enable='between(t,2,8)':
    alpha='if(lt(t,2.5),(t-2)*2,if(gt(t,7.5),(8-t)*2,1))'
" -c:a copy lower-third.mp4

Styled Subtitles (Brand Colors)

# Burn subtitles with custom styling
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "
  subtitles=captions.srt:
    force_style='
      FontName=Inter,
      FontSize=28,
      PrimaryColour=&H00FFFFFF,
      OutlineColour=&H00000000,
      BackColour=&H80000000,
      Bold=1,
      Outline=2,
      Shadow=1,
      MarginV=60,
      Alignment=2
    '
" -c:a copy captioned.mp4

Word-by-Word Highlight Captions (ASS Format)

# Generate ASS file with word-by-word highlighting
cat > captions.ass << 'EOF'
[Script Info]
ScriptType: v4.00+
PlayResX: 1920
PlayResY: 1080

[V4+ Styles]
Format: Name, Fontname, Fontsize, PrimaryColour, SecondaryColour, OutlineColour, BackColour, Bold, Italic, Underline, StrikeOut, ScaleX, ScaleY, Spacing, Angle, BorderStyle, Outline, Shadow, Alignment, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Encoding
Style: Default,Inter,48,&H00FFFFFF,&H0000FFFF,&H00000000,&H80000000,1,0,0,0,100,100,0,0,1,3,1,2,40,40,60,1
Style: Highlight,Inter,48,&H0000FFFF,&H0000FFFF,&H00000000,&H80000000,1,0,0,0,100,100,0,0,1,3,1,2,40,40,60,1

[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.00,0:00:03.00,Default,,0,0,0,,{\k50}This {\k30}is {\k40}your {\k50}brand
EOF

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "ass=captions.ass" -c:a copy word-highlight.mp4

4. Transitions

Crossfade Between Clips

# 1-second crossfade between two clips
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 -filter_complex "
  [0:v]fade=t=out:st=4:d=1[v0];
  [1:v]fade=t=in:st=0:d=1[v1];
  [v0][v1]concat=n=2:v=1:a=0[outv];
  [0:a]afade=t=out:st=4:d=1[a0];
  [1:a]afade=t=in:st=0:d=1[a1];
  [a0][a1]concat=n=2:v=0:a=1[outa]
" -map "[outv]" -map "[outa]" crossfade.mp4

Wipe Transition

# Horizontal wipe (left to right) between clips
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 -filter_complex "
  [0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=wipeleft:duration=1:offset=4
" -c:a copy wipe-transition.mp4

Available xfade Transitions

5. Motion Effects

Speed Ramp (Slow-Mo → Normal)

# Slow-mo section (2x slower from 5s to 8s), normal elsewhere
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -filter_complex "
  [0:v]setpts='if(between(T,5,8),PTS*2,PTS)'[v];
  [0:a]atempo='if(between(T,5,8),0.5,1.0)'[a]
" -map "[v]" -map "[a]" speed-ramp.mp4

Ken Burns (Slow Zoom on Still Image)

# 10-second Ken Burns zoom-in on a product image
ffmpeg -loop 1 -i product.jpg -t 10 -vf "
  zoompan=z='min(zoom+0.001,1.5)':
    x='iw/2-(iw/zoom/2)':
    y='ih/2-(ih/zoom/2)':
    d=300:
    s=1920x1080:fps=30
" -c:v libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p ken-burns.mp4

Motion Blur (For Fast Movements)

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "
  tmix=frames=4:weights='1 1 1 1'
" -c:a copy motion-blur.mp4

6. Brand Elements

Logo Overlay (Corner)

# Logo in bottom-right corner, 10% opacity watermarked
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -i logo.png -filter_complex "
  [1:v]scale=150:-1,format=rgba,colorchannelmixer=aa=0.3[logo];
  [0:v][logo]overlay=W-w-30:H-h-30
" -c:a copy watermarked.mp4

Animated Logo Intro (Logo + Fade)

# Logo appears centered, fades in over 0.5s, holds 2s, fades out
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -i logo.png -filter_complex "
  [1:v]scale=300:-1,format=rgba[logo];
  [0:v][logo]overlay=(W-w)/2:(H-h)/2:
    enable='between(t,0,3)':
    format=auto
" -c:a copy logo-intro.mp4

7. Multi-Clip Assembly

Full Promo Assembly Pipeline

# Step 1: Prepare individual clips (trim, color grade, normalize audio)
ffmpeg -i raw_hook.mp4 -t 3 -vf "eq=contrast=1.2:saturation=1.1" -af "loudnorm=I=-14" -c:v libx264 -crf 18 hook.mp4
ffmpeg -i raw_problem.mp4 -ss 2 -t 5 -vf "eq=contrast=1.2:saturation=1.1" -af "loudnorm=I=-14" -c:v libx264 -crf 18 problem.mp4
ffmpeg -i raw_solution.mp4 -ss 0 -t 12 -vf "eq=contrast=1.2:saturation=1.1" -af "loudnorm=I=-14" -c:v libx264 -crf 18 solution.mp4
ffmpeg -i raw_proof.mp4 -ss 5 -t 8 -vf "eq=contrast=1.2:saturation=1.1" -af "loudnorm=I=-14" -c:v libx264 -crf 18 proof.mp4
ffmpeg -i raw_cta.mp4 -t 4 -vf "eq=contrast=1.2:saturation=1.1" -af "loudnorm=I=-14" -c:v libx264 -crf 18 cta.mp4

# Step 2: Create concat list with crossfades
cat > clips.txt << EOF
file 'hook.mp4'
file 'problem.mp4'
file 'solution.mp4'
file 'proof.mp4'
file 'cta.mp4'
EOF

# Step 3: Concatenate with xfade transitions
ffmpeg -i hook.mp4 -i problem.mp4 -i solution.mp4 -i proof.mp4 -i cta.mp4 -filter_complex "
  [0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=fade:duration=0.5:offset=2.5[v01];
  [v01][2:v]xfade=transition=wipeleft:duration=0.5:offset=7[v012];
  [v012][3:v]xfade=transition=fade:duration=0.5:offset=18.5[v0123];
  [v0123][4:v]xfade=transition=fade:duration=0.5:offset=26[vout];
  [0:a][1:a]acrossfade=d=0.5[a01];
  [a01][2:a]acrossfade=d=0.5[a012];
  [a012][3:a]acrossfade=d=0.5[a0123];
  [a0123][4:a]acrossfade=d=0.5[aout]
" -map "[vout]" -map "[aout]" -c:v libx264 -crf 18 -c:a aac -b:a 192k promo-assembled.mp4

# Step 4: Add music bed with ducking
ffmpeg -i promo-assembled.mp4 -i bg-music.mp3 -filter_complex "
  [0:a]volume=1.0[vo];
  [1:a]volume=0.12,afade=t=out:st=30:d=3[music];
  [music][vo]sidechaincompress=threshold=0.02:ratio=12:attack=150:release=800[ducked];
  [vo][ducked]amix=inputs=2:duration=shortest:dropout_transition=2,
  loudnorm=I=-14:TP=-1.5:LRA=11
" -c:v copy -c:a aac -b:a 192k promo-with-music.mp4

# Step 5: Add logo watermark
ffmpeg -i promo-with-music.mp4 -i logo.png -filter_complex "
  [1:v]scale=120:-1,format=rgba,colorchannelmixer=aa=0.25[logo];
  [0:v][logo]overlay=W-w-25:H-h-25
" -c:a copy promo-final-master.mp4

Batch Processing

Export for All Platforms

#!/bin/bash
# export-all.sh — Export master video for all platforms
MASTER="promo-final-master.mp4"
OUTDIR="exports"
mkdir -p "$OUTDIR"

# YouTube (16:9, 1080p)
ffmpeg -i "$MASTER" -vf "scale=1920:1080" -c:v libx264 -preset slow -crf 18 -c:a aac -b:a 192k "$OUTDIR/youtube.mp4"

# Instagram Reels (9:16, 1080x1920)
ffmpeg -i "$MASTER" -vf "scale=1080:1920:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=1080:1920:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2:white" -c:v libx264 -preset slow -crf 22 -c:a aac -b:a 128k -t 90 "$OUTDIR/instagram-reels.mp4"

# TikTok (9:16, 1080x1920)
ffmpeg -i "$MASTER" -vf "scale=1080:1920:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=1080:1920:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2:black" -c:v libx264 -preset slow -crf 22 -c:a aac -b:a 128k -t 600 "$OUTDIR/tiktok.mp4"

# Instagram Feed (1:1, 1080x1080)
ffmpeg -i "$MASTER" -vf "scale=1080:1080:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=1080:1080:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2:white" -c:v libx264 -preset slow -crf 22 -c:a aac -b:a 128k -t 60 "$OUTDIR/instagram-feed.mp4"

# LinkedIn (16:9, 1080p)
ffmpeg -i "$MASTER" -vf "scale=1920:1080" -c:v libx264 -preset slow -crf 20 -c:a aac -b:a 192k -t 600 "$OUTDIR/linkedin.mp4"

# X / Twitter (16:9, 720p)
ffmpeg -i "$MASTER" -vf "scale=1280:720" -c:v libx264 -preset slow -crf 22 -c:a aac -b:a 128k -t 140 "$OUTDIR/twitter.mp4"

# Thumbnail
ffmpeg -i "$MASTER" -ss 00:00:03 -vframes 1 -q:v 2 "$OUTDIR/thumbnail.jpg"

echo "✅ Exported to $OUTDIR/"
ls -lh "$OUTDIR/"

Platform Specifications

Color Grading Presets

Cinematic (Teal & Orange)

-vf "curves=r='0/0.05 0.3/0.25 0.5/0.55 0.7/0.75 1/0.9':g='0/0.03 0.3/0.2 0.5/0.48 0.7/0.7 1/0.85':b='0/0.1 0.3/0.3 0.5/0.45 0.7/0.6 1/0.7',eq=saturation=1.3:contrast=1.15"

Clean Corporate (Bright, High Contrast)

-vf "eq=brightness=0.03:contrast=1.2:saturation=1.1,curves=master='0/0 0.15/0.08 0.5/0.55 0.85/0.95 1/1'"

Moody Dark (Low Key)

-vf "eq=brightness=-0.05:contrast=1.3:saturation=0.9,curves=master='0/0 0.2/0.1 0.5/0.4 0.8/0.75 1/0.9'"

Vibrant Social Media (Punchy Colors)

-vf "eq=brightness=0.02:contrast=1.25:saturation=1.4,unsharp=5:5:0.8"

Desaturated Premium (Muted, Elegant)

-vf "eq=saturation=0.7:contrast=1.15,curves=master='0/0.02 0.3/0.28 0.5/0.52 0.7/0.73 1/0.95'"

Anti-Rationalization Table

Verification

• Audio normalized to -14 LUFS (streaming standard)
• Music ducked during voiceover/speech
• Color grading applied consistently across all clips
• Transitions between scenes are smooth (xfade, not hard cuts)
• Captions styled with brand colors and fonts
• Logo/watermark placed consistently
• CTA is bold, readable, and appears long enough to read
• Exported for each target platform with correct specs
• Thumbnail extracted and styled
• Final video watched from start to finish before delivery