CapCut: Editing & Exporting Vertical UGC Videos

1. Setting Up Your Project in CapCut

Before we start editing, we need to set up our project correctly. Since you're creating a UGC video for social media, it must be in a vertical format (9:16 aspect ratio) to look best on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.

If you haven't already, please download and install the free CapCut desktop app. While CapCut has a mobile version, the desktop app provides more screen space and control for editing.

First, let's understand why the vertical format is so important.

Now, let's create your project and get your assets ready.

Your First Task: Project Setup

1. Open the CapCut desktop app and click + New Project.
2. In the top left, click the Import button and select all the assets you created in the last lesson (your talking head video, B-roll clips, and voiceover audio). They will appear in the project media panel.
3. Below the preview window, you'll see a button that says Ratio (it might say 'Original' by default). Click it and select 9:16. Your preview window will now be a vertical rectangle.

2. Assembling Your Video on the Timeline

With your project set up, it's time to build the foundation of your video. This involves placing your main talking head video (A-roll) on the timeline and syncing it with your audio.

Your Task: Assemble the A-Roll

1. Drag your main talking head video from the media panel onto the top track of the timeline at the bottom of the screen.
2. Drag your voiceover MP3 file onto the audio track directly below your video clip.
3. Play the video. Since you generated the talking head video using the voiceover, the lip-sync should already be good. However, there might be awkward pauses at the beginning or end.
4. Use the Split tool (the icon looks like |-|) to cut out any unwanted silent parts from the beginning and end of your clips. Click on the part you want to remove and press the Delete key.

3. Layering B-Roll and Adding Visual Interest

A continuous shot of a talking head can become boring. To keep viewers engaged, we'll overlay your B-roll clips at relevant moments, as planned in your storyboard. In video editing, this is done by placing the B-roll clips on a video track above the main A-roll.

Your Task: Add B-Roll and Transitions

1. Look at your storyboard to see where the B-roll shots should appear.
2. Drag your first B-roll clip from the media panel onto the timeline, placing it on the track above your A-roll at the correct time.
3. Resize and position the B-roll clip in the preview window as needed. You can make it full-screen or have it appear smaller, picture-in-picture style.
4. Repeat this for all your B-roll clips.
5. To make the cuts less jarring, you can add simple transitions. Click on the Transitions tab at the top of the screen. Find a simple one (like a basic Fade or Dissolve) and drag it to the start and end of your B-roll clips. Don't overdo it—for UGC, quick cuts often work best.

4. Adding Captions and Audio

Captions are essential for social media, as many people watch videos with the sound off. CapCut's auto-captioning feature is powerful and easy to use. Once captions are done, we'll add background music to set the mood.

Your Task: Generate Captions and Mix Audio

1. Generate Captions:
   • Click on the Text tab at the top.
   • Select Auto captions.
   • Ensure the language is set correctly and click Generate. CapCut will analyze your voiceover and create timed captions on a new track.
   • Review the captions for any errors and correct them by clicking on the text clip.
2. Style Captions:
   • With a caption clip selected, use the Text panel on the right to choose a font, color, or a Template that fits the UGC style. Applying a style to one caption will apply it to all.
3. Add Music:
   • Click the Audio tab and then Music. Browse CapCut's royalty-free library to find a track that matches the mood of your ad.
   • Drag the music track to the timeline below your voiceover.
4. Balance Audio:
   • This is critical! Your voiceover must be clear. Click on the background music track. In the Audio panel on the right, lower the Volume significantly (e.g., to -20dB or lower) so it sits subtly in the background.

5. Exporting Your Final Video

You've assembled, edited, and polished your video. The final step is to export it as a single MP4 file, ready for upload.

Your Final Task: Export the Video

1. Click the blue Export button in the top-right corner of CapCut.
2. In the export window, give your video a title.
3. Choose where to save the file.
4. Apply the following settings for social media:
   • Resolution: 1080p
   • Format: MP4
   • Frame Rate: 30fps
5. Click Export.

Once the export is complete, you will have your finished 30-second UGC marketing video!

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully completed your first major project, moving from an idea to a finished, shareable video. You've navigated the entire AI video production pipeline: ideation, scripting, asset generation, and now, final editing and assembly.

Key Takeaways:

• Vertical is Standard: Always set up your projects in a 9:16 aspect ratio for short-form social media content.
• The Timeline is Your Canvas: Editing is the art of arranging video and audio clips on the timeline to tell a story. A-roll forms the base, and B-roll adds visual context.
• Captions Drive Engagement: Use auto-captioning tools to make your videos accessible and hold viewer attention.
• Audio Balance is Key: A professional video has clear dialogue with background music that supports, but never overpowers, the message.
• Export Settings Matter: Using standard settings (1080p, 30fps) ensures your video looks great on any platform.

Next Lesson Preview:
With this fantastic project under your belt, we'll move on to your next creative challenge: the short animated story. In the first lesson of that project, you'll learn how to finalize a script and create a detailed storyboard for a narrative piece, applying the planning skills you've learned here to a new format. Well done