Student Video Editing - Free with CutScene

Create Professional Videos for School and Beyond

Between assignments, projects, and building your portfolio, you need video editing tools that are accessible, affordable, and capable. CutScene gives students a free, browser-based video editor with AI tools to help you create impressive work.

No expensive software subscriptions, no downloads, no technical setup. Just open your browser and start editing. Generate footage with AI when you don't have your own, add professional voiceover, and export polished videos for any assignment.

Why Students Choose CutScene

• Free to use: No subscription required - edit as many projects as you need.
• Works anywhere: Browser-based, so it works on any computer with WiFi - at school, home, or the library.
• AI assistance: Generate footage, graphics, and voiceover when you need them.
• Presentation-ready: Turn slides into engaging videos with professional polish.
• Easy collaboration: Export and share with group members for team projects.
• Portfolio quality: Export without watermarks for applications and competitions.

Example: A student transforms a boring slide deck into an engaging video presentation, earning top marks and building skills for the future.

Common Student Projects

Class Presentations

Transform static slides into dynamic video content that keeps your audience engaged.

Setup: Create a 16:9 project, import your slides as images or record your screen.

Polish: Add voiceover (record your own or use AI), include smooth transitions, and add background music.

Tips: Keep videos under 5 minutes, include an intro with your name and date, and add captions for accessibility.

Documentary Projects

Turn research papers into compelling video essays with professional production value.

Structure: Open with a hook (15 seconds), provide context (30 seconds), present your research (2-3 minutes), and close with a conclusion (30 seconds).

Techniques: Layer B-roll over narration, use graphics to display statistics, add lower-thirds for interview subjects, and maintain consistent color grading.

Portfolio Pieces

Build a reel that showcases your creative abilities for applications and competitions.

Ideas: Short films (3-5 minutes), photo montages with music, narrative voiceover pieces, music videos, or creative projects that show your personality.

AI advantage: Generate footage when you don't have access to cameras or locations.

Social Media Content

Build your personal brand while practicing your video skills.

Platforms: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram - create study tips, project recaps, vlogs, or advice content.

Skills transfer: The editing techniques you learn for social content apply directly to school projects.

Video Essays

Transform written essays into engaging visual content.

Process: Write a 2-3 page script (about 5-7 minutes of video), record your voiceover in CutScene, add B-roll and graphics for visual interest, and apply professional color grading.

Topics: History deep-dives, literary analysis, science explainers, philosophy discussions, social commentary.

Assignment Types and Approaches

Concept Explainers

Explain complex ideas in an accessible format.

Structure: Show the question (5 seconds), define the concept (30 seconds), provide examples (1-2 minutes), summarize (20 seconds).

Tools: Use text overlays for key terms, graphics to illustrate concepts, voiceover with B-roll, and visual transitions between ideas.

Interview Videos

Feature conversations with experts, mentors, or peers.

Process: Record the interview (phone, Zoom, or in-person), export the audio, find or generate B-roll, layer the interview with supporting visuals, and add lower-thirds with names and titles.

Process Documentation

Show how something works step by step.

Approach: Capture each step as video or photos, add voiceover explanation, include close-ups of important details, label steps with text, and reveal the final result.

Promotional Content

Create excitement for events, clubs, or initiatives.

Template: Grab attention (3 seconds), explain what and when (10 seconds), share why it matters (15 seconds), provide where and how (5 seconds), and end with a call-to-action (5 seconds).

Time-Saving Tips

Script efficiently: Use AI to help outline your script, speak naturally rather than reading robotically, and record multiple takes to pick the best moments.

Repurpose content: Cut long YouTube videos into short TikTok clips, extract audio for podcast-style content, and use stills for social media posts.

Build templates: Save your intro, outro, color grades, fonts, and transition styles to reuse on future projects.

Record smart: Write your full script before recording, find a quiet space, and record 2-3 takes of each section to give yourself editing options.

Free Tools That Work with CutScene

• Stock video: Pexels, Pixabay, Unsplash Video
• Music: Epidemic Sound (educational accounts), YouTube Audio Library
• Graphics: Canva (free tier), Figma
• Screen recording: OBS (free), browser built-in tools
• Transcription: Google Voice Typing, Otter.ai (free tier)

Preparing for College and Competitions

Quality over quantity: One polished 3-minute video beats five mediocre ones.

Show personality: Let your voice and perspective come through in your work.

Demonstrate technique: Show you understand color grading, transitions, and audio mixing.

Hook early: Grab attention in the first 10 seconds.

Always include captions: It's more accessible and more professional.

Submit checklist: Include your name and date in the title, export at 1080p or higher, ensure no watermarks, clean audio, professional color grading, captions included, and the correct file format.

Getting Started

1. Create your account: Free, no credit card required.
2. Choose your format: 16:9 for presentations, 9:16 for social content.
3. Import or generate: Upload your own footage, record your screen, or generate with AI.
4. Edit freely: Cut, transition, color grade, and mix audio at no cost.
5. Export and submit: Download your video and upload to your class or portfolio.

Remember: The best way to learn video editing is by doing. Start simple, experiment often, and your skills will grow with each project.

CutScene gives students everything they need: free access, no watermarks, no subscriptions - just the tools to create professional work.