Video Editing Starter · free course

Free course · Lesson 1 of 5

Introduction to Non-Linear Editing (NLE)

In this lesson you will

  • Explain non-linear editing
  • Set up and organise a project

Non-Linear Editing means you can access any frame in any clip at any time — there is no fixed playback order like old tape-to-tape systems. Your raw assets (video clips, audio files, images, graphics) are stored in bins (folders), and you drag them onto a timeline in whatever sequence you choose. This gives you total creative freedom to rearrange, trim, and layer without damaging your original files.

  • Bins keep your project organised — create folders for "Footage," "Audio," "Graphics," and "Exports." Name every clip before you start editing.
  • Source Monitor lets you preview and mark In/Out points on a clip before adding it to the timeline. This saves time and keeps your timeline clean.
  • Sequence (Timeline) is where you build your story. A sequence has its own resolution, frame rate, and audio settings — set these correctly before you add any clips.
  • Popular NLEs: Adobe Premiere Pro (industry standard for documentaries/YouTube), DaVinci Resolve (excellent free version with pro colour tools), and CapCut (great for short-form mobile content).

Practical Skill: When starting a new project for an NGO documentary, create a bin structure: "01_Raw_Footage," "02_Captured_Audio," "03_Music_Bed," "04_Graphics," "05_Exports." Import all assets into their bins before touching the timeline. This habit alone saves hours of searching later.

TemplateProject Startup Checklist & Sequence Settings
Worksheet
==== NEW PROJECT STARTUP CHECKLIST (Adobe Premiere / DaVinci Resolve / CapCut) ==== [ ] Create project folder on your hard drive (e.g., "NGO_Water_Project_Doc")[ ] Inside, create subfolders:      /01_Raw_Footage      — original camera files (never move these!)      /02_Captured_Audio   — external mic recordings (WAV, 48kHz)      /03_Music_Bed        — royalty-free or licensed background tracks      /04_Graphics         — lower-thirds, logos, title cards (PNG, PSD)      /05_Exports          — final rendered videos [ ] Open your NLE and create a NEW SEQUENCE with these settings:       Resolution:    1920 x 1080 (Full HD)      Aspect Ratio:  16:9 (standard widescreen)      Frame Rate:    29.97 fps (NTSC) or 25.00 fps (PAL — common in Africa/Europe)                     Use 25 fps for NGO docs shot locally; 29.97 for mixed-source content      Pixel Aspect:  Square Pixels (1.0)      Field Order:   Progressive (no interlacing — this is 2026!)      Audio Sample:  48,000 Hz (48 kHz) — professional standard      Audio Channels: Stereo (2 channels) for most projects; 5.1 only if required [ ] Import all assets into bins inside your NLE[ ] Name your sequence: "SEQ_Main_Story_v01" (use version numbers!)[ ] Save the project file before adding a single clip[ ] Set Auto-Save to every 5 minutes (File → Project Settings → Auto-Save) ==== WHY THESE SETTINGS? ====  • 1920 x 1080 at 25 fps is the sweet spot for sharp visuals without huge file sizes.  • Progressive scan means every frame is a full image — no motion combing.  • 48 kHz audio matches professional field recorders (Zoom H1n, Tascam).  • Naming your sequence with a version number lets you experiment without losing work.

Practice exercise

Create a project folder with subfolders for footage, audio, music, graphics and exports, then import three clips and build a ten-second sequence.

Key takeaways

  • Edits never change the original files
  • Match the timeline to your footage's frame rate
  • Back up footage before formatting cards
In the full program Module 1: Non-Linear Editing Fundamentals See how this topic is taught in depth, with practical activities and an assessment.

Free self-study lesson — no certificate. For the full instructor-led program, see registration options.