How Pro Video Editors Change Tempo For Emotion

Ever feel like your edits fall flat, but you can’t quite figure out why? In this video, I break down one of the simplest but most powerful tools pro editors use: changing tempo to match emotion.

Most beginner editors run at a constant pace, like a commuter driving with cruise control. But pro editors? We’re more like Formula One drivers—constantly adjusting speed to fit the track. In editing, that “speed” is your cuts per minute (CPM).

Here’s the process I walk through:

• Start steady: Build a baseline tempo with a series of shots. You can even calculate it—just count the number of cuts in 30 seconds and double it for CPM.

• Find a story change: Look for a new moment, reveal, or shift in emotion. This is your “turn on the track.”

• Adjust tempo to match: Speed up your cuts when the story needs more energy, or slow them down when the moment calls for reflection.

This doesn’t have to be complicated—you just need to react to the story rather than coasting at the same pace. In the example I share from one of my short films, I move from around 10 cuts per minute up to 33 as the tension ramps up into a chase scene. That shift in rhythm makes the edit feel alive and emotionally connected.

The key takeaway: don’t edit on cruise control. Vary your tempo to reflect the emotion you’re targeting, and your edits will instantly have more impact.

Happy editing!

Austen is an ADDY award-winning film & commercial editor with over 20 years of experience. He has worked with global brands like Meta, KPMG, SAP, and Christianity Today. His PSA work has championed causes like school safety (with Matthew McConaughey), driving safety, and anti-tobacco. A thought leader in the editing field, his online lessons quickly amassed over 100K views after launch.