Skillshare – Mastering DaVinci Resolve: The Complete Guide to Editing, Sound, VFX, and Deliverables

Class Overview: Master DaVinci Resolve from start to finish in this all-in-one class that covers storytelling through editing, sound design, visual effects, and final delivery. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to deepen your skills, this course takes you through every essential feature of DaVinci Resolve, helping you shape raw footage into a polished, engaging story. By the end, you’ll be able to confidently edit, add sound and VFX, and render projects with cinematic quality.

What You Will Learn:

Storytelling Through Editing

• Tell a Story: Learn the art of storytelling in video editing and how to turn clips into a meaningful narrative.
• Software Walkaround & Importing Footage: Get familiar with DaVinci Resolve’s layout and how to import and organize footage.
• Sifting & Cutting with Intention: Discover how to sift through footage efficiently, cutting with a story-first approach.
• J and L Cuts & Transition Techniques: Master the J and L cuts for seamless dialogue flow and transitions that support the story, not distract from it.
• Editing in Real Time: Walk through an actual edit as I demonstrate the tools, techniques, and mindset needed for every cut.
• Timing, Remapping & Shortcuts: Learn timing adjustments, remapping, and essential shortcuts to streamline your workflow.

Introduction to Sound

• Why Sound Matters: Explore how sound impacts mood and immersion, and why it’s critical to the storytelling process.
• Fairlight Page Walkthrough: Get hands-on with DaVinci Resolve’s audio suite to add and adjust audio elements.
• Equalizer & Channel Types: Discover basic sound mixing techniques using the equalizer and learn about different audio channels.
• Adding Stock Music & Transitions: Learn how to add stock music, use transitions, and mix audio for smooth, balanced sound.
• Volume Levels & Mixing Rules: Understand volume levels, rules for professional mixes, and where to find the perfect stock music.

Introduction to VFX

• Fusion Page Fundamentals: Dive into the Fusion page to start adding visual effects to your projects.
• Masking & Rotoscopy: Learn how to isolate elements in your footage for precise effects.
• Chroma and Luma Keying: Remove backgrounds and composite scenes using chroma and luma keying.
• Tracking Basics: Add motion-tracked effects to objects, bringing a new level of depth and professionalism to your edits.

Rendering & Deliverables

• Final Checks: Run through a final checklist to ensure your project is polished and error-free.
• Optimized Render Settings: Learn the best settings for different scenarios, whether for social media, broadcast, or film.
• Project Archival: Understand how to archive projects for future access and reuse.

Why You Should Take This Class: This class gives you a complete understanding of DaVinci Resolve, taking you beyond just the tools to develop creative, problem-solving skills. With my professional background and over 15 years in the film industry, I’ll guide you to master the “how” and “why” of each process. By the end of the course, you’ll have the confidence and skills to produce compelling, cinematic videos with professional-grade quality.