u/shorthaired13

Why do my edits feel ‘done’ even when they’re just basic cuts and transitions?

I feel stuck as a video editor — I can’t tell what my videos are missing even when they’re too simple. How do I train myself to see what’s missing in terms of pacing, effects, and storytelling?

I’m a video editor who can assemble clips cleanly, but I struggle to go beyond basic cuts and transitions. What specific skills or frameworks can I learn to make my edits more engaging and intentional?

When editing, I stop at basic cuts because I genuinely can’t see what else the video needs. Is this a creativity issue, a lack of references, or a missing workflow—and how do I fix it?

For context, my niche is sports industry. I strive to do fast-paced edits like Nike in the weightlifting setting, but my work always looks cheap compared to Nike videos. (My client provides footage recorded from an actual camera.)

I’ve always been a fan of clean edits, but where I work requires me to do more than that since we sell products. They want hooks and elements that hold the viewer’s attention. For context, I edit workout videos where the person is lifting. I’m stuck with cutting to the beat, using transitions, but it still feels flat and boring when compared to a video from Nike (which is the level we’re aiming for).

Any ideas would help. Thank you so much.

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u/shorthaired13 — 9 hours ago