How Pro Video Editors Cut For Emotion (Practical Guide)

When editors talk about emotion being the most important factor in a cut, it sounds inspiring—but vague. So in this video, I sit down with veteran director Scott Rice to break down how to actually edit for emotion in a practical, actionable way.

Whether you're working on a short film, commercial, or YouTube video, here’s the three-step method we recommend:

Step 1

Before you start cutting, define what you want the audience to feel—not just what the characters are feeling. You might choose different emotional beats for different parts of your video, but having a clear intention up front gives your edit direction. Even just writing those target emotions down can make a huge difference.

Step 2

Once you know the emotional arc, use every tool available—performance, music, timing, sound, framing, and structure. Scott and I walked through a sequence from his short film Treasure Imagination, showing how subtle tweaks (like a tighter crop or a music cue) can transform a scene’s impact. Editing is where emotional clarity is built or lost.

Step 3

This one’s critical. Show your work—live if possible. You’ll feel when a moment is flat or when it hits. We did over 150 versions of Treasure Imagination, constantly refining based on feedback. It's uncomfortable at first, but doing this step will make you a better editor faster than anything else.

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.