How professional video editors approach sound in every shot

How do professional video editors approach sound in every shot?

Professional video editors ask one critical question for every shot: "What is the sound of the shot?" This simple question transforms edits from visual sequences into immersive experiences that engage audiences on a deeper level.

Sound carries equal importance to visuals in professional editing. While footage captures what viewers see, strategic sound design creates the emotional foundation that makes edits truly impactful.

Why sound matters more than you think

Here's a hot take: sound is more important than visuals when it comes to editing. Consider The Blair Witch Project from 1999 — 78 minutes of shaky handheld footage that grossed over $240 million. People embraced the found footage aesthetic and sat through deliberately rough visuals.

But flip that scenario. What if the footage was beautiful but the audio was scratchy, difficult to hear, dead, or uninteresting? Would audiences have sat through that? Would it have been a hit? Probably not.

One of the greatest film editors of all time, Walter Murch, also happens to be one of the greatest sound designers. In 1997, he won an unprecedented double Oscar for film editing and sound editing for The English Patient. It's no coincidence that one of the most influential editors was also a sound mixer.

While not all editors need to become sound designers, all editors should do some of their own sound design work — even if it's improved upon later by a sound team.

The question that changes everything

When you start asking "What is the sound of the shot?" early in your career, your edits really start to come to life. This question forces you to think beyond the visual and consider the complete sensory experience you're creating.

Sometimes the sound of a shot calls for specific sound design to tell the story. Professional video editors decide where to cut every shot based on both visual and audio elements working together.

Other times, the sound will be as simple as morning park birds, the sound of a city street, a transitional whoosh, or the sound of an empty room. Don't forget — silence is a valid sound choice as well.

How to incorporate sound into your workflow

Instead of thinking of sound as something you polish up at the end of a project or pass on to somebody else, make it a priority from the beginning. Join a site with a searchable sound effects library like Artlist so you can quickly find the sounds you need.

As you begin an editing project, ask yourself what the sound of each shot is. Do a quick search and start building out your edit with sound effects right away. Discover the 5 criteria top editors use to craft emotionally-impactful edits and see how sound plays a crucial role in each decision.

This approach transforms your editing process from a visual-first workflow to a complete sensory experience. Your audience will feel the difference, even if they can't articulate why your edits feel more professional and engaging.

The most successful editors understand that every shot has a sound — whether it's a carefully designed effect, natural ambiance, or strategic silence. Start asking the question, and watch your edits come to life.

Edit Like A Broadcast Pro teaches you how to create emotionally-impactful edits that win serious clients with real budgets, including advanced sound design techniques used by professional editors.