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Have you ever struggled with making a truly great video in a shorter amount of time?  I did too. 

Just like you, I truly wanted to make an impact with my videos - and frankly, wanted each one to be better than the last!  But, it was a struggle until I finally learned this  THING. It’s THE most important thing you should consider before you begin to work on your next video masterpiece.

That is: learn your SHORTCUTS.  Com’on Dan, is that it? YES, let me explain. 

I remember back in the days of editing on 1” tape (a LONG time ago) there was an editor that was training another editor, and he used to slap the new editor’s hand if he reached for the fast forward lever instead of simply typing in the timecode!  I guess he thought he was the General Patton of video, and took it a little too far…  

Well, I won’t slap you if you reach for the menu with your mouse to select UNDO, instead of typing command-Z with your keyboard…but… maybe that image will help remind you to NOT do that! 

The point is, that the time it takes you to grab your mouse, slide it up to the pulldown menu, and then sift through each category until you find that command - say like copy and paste… you could have done 3-4 edits in the same time!  Likely, most of you know that it’s command-C and command-V(or control C and V for windows users).

That’s an easy one - as it is standardized across all Mac and PC apps - that are worth using.  But taking that to the next level: I use copy so often that I didn’t even want to type command-C, but just changed it to simply, C!  Man, now we’re cookin’ with fire!.  

Or take for example, if you want to replace a shot, you could mark in and out (or mark clip) and then do an overwrite edit to replace - OR, you could just map the Replace With Clip/from source(In Premiere Pro) to the number 3!  Again, I use it so often, I wanted to map it to ONE keystroke. 

Ok one last example, and I’ll let you go.  How about, when using markers in the timeline, did you know there’s a shortcut for snapping to each one?  I mapped command-up arrow and command- down arrow to snap the CTI to previous and next markers, respectively.  I use this one a LOT.  

I have a ton of shortcuts mapped and anytime I find I’m doing a new function more often, I quickly map it to somewhere on my keyboard or Streamdeck.  I also save various keyboard layouts according to what mode I’m in  - multicam editing vs audio, etc…

Whew!  Hope that gets your creative juices flowing! 

Hey have you downloaded my FREE “Tools I Use” PDF yet?  Just go to dansfx.tv/tools to get it.  I cover all the gear I use - both software and hardware - and WHY I use it.  You might find some surprises in there.  

Also, I want you to go to dansfx.tv and download the new pack for filmmakers called TV TEXTURES - its over 150 clips of REAL Tube TVs and all the goodness that brings - with glitches, pixels, tears, scan lines, all sorts of awesome stuff to level up your edit.

It works with ALL editing Apps - Premiere, Resolve, Final Cut, After Effects, whatever you like. - just drag and drop, change the blend mode and voila! Looks like butta.  

For a limited time, use the coupon code DAN20 for 20% off.  

Until next time, know this:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.

Stay Creative!