Pacing is everything. In 2025, faster-paced videos started to win due to the influence of TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Editing is where the magic happens. The right cut, the right reaction and the right visual cue are the things that make a moment stick. So let’s talk about the editing tricks that can help you get there.
1. Timing is Everything
Pacing of your video heavily depends on the timing, so cutting is your most important ally here. A well-timed cut can turn an okay moment into something hilarious.
So what works best? Let’s start with the ol’ reliable classic: jump cuts. As TikTok and YouTube Shorts grew in popularity, so did the snappy jump cuts. These are the bread and butter of fast-paced videos.
They remove unnecessary filler and keep things moving, which enhances the energy flow. CinnamonToastKen is a great example of using this technique quite often in a comedic way.
Reaction shots are another good way of making the editing funny. The trick here is to cut to the reaction as quickly as possible after a punchline or an unexpected moment. Don’t let the viewer linger on the original action too long, get them to the next reaction.
What can help you with the timing of your videos are unexpected cuts (taking a beat longer before switching the scene, creating a slight awkward pause) which can make the following punchline feel more abrupt and jarring.
This, in turn, can turn out very funny. As an example, you can look at how Ice Cream Sandwich does it. Despite being an animation channel, his editing style is full of unexpected cuts and twists that make the entire video more enjoyable and funny.
There is a thing to avoid when you try to put together a video with great timing. Don’t overuse jump cuts to the point when it feels too choppy or forced. If the pacing is too rapid it’ll start feeling like you’re rushing to get to the end of the video and instead of being funny it ends up looking strange.
2. Rhythm
The second point that will help put your editing skills on a whole new level is maintaining rhythm (that means not just aligning visuals, but also sound). Without a tight sense of pacing, the energy of the video will fall flat, no matter how funny the content is.
So what works?
Since rhythm is mainly about sound, music cues are a logical answer to that question. Music or sound cues should match the energy of the scene. Choose tracks with a clear beat and pace that matches the cuts (and if you struggle with finding one, AIR Media-Tech can offer a whole library of royalty-free music you could use in your videos).
Remember that fast beats often complement rapid cuts, while sudden pauses in music make for stronger comedic timing. Most YouTubers use background music to enhance the rhythm of their videos. As an example, you can look through Young Yong Tales. Notice how his background music changes with the story.
Speaking of sounds - sound effects. Don’t underestimate them. A quick cut with a funny sound or a noise can turn a regular reaction into something hilarious. Use these sparingly, though.
As with all, overwhelming your videos with sound effects can create an opposite effect. Steven He is a perfect example of using the funny sound effects sparingly at appropriate times that only makes his videos more interesting instead of stunting them.
On a similar note, don’t overuse background music. It should enhance the video, not distract from the moment. Don’t make it too loud in a video. Layer sound effects in post-production, matching the beat of the visuals to make sure the rhythm flows naturally.
3. Reaction Shots
Reactions are a cornerstone of humor, especially when it comes to fast-paced videos.
A timely facepalm, an exaggerated laugh, a look of shock - it can all be used to amplify the energy of the scene. But you need to be smart with it. Humor and editing are tricky together. Missing the timing or providing something that looks uncanny can make the video cringe instead of fun.
Exaggerated reactions are your best buds.
But the bigger doesn’t always mean the better. Don’t overdo it. The audience wants the overreaction, but not to the point when it's an obvious overreaction. A good example of ‘comedic’ reaction would be Mrnigelng channel. There are plenty of overreactions, but he does so tastefully and in-character, which makes it funny.
4. Visual Gags and Jump Scares
We have already established that humor comes from something unexpected. Visual gag, a jump scare, subverting viewers’ expectations, all of it are comedy tools that best creators know how to wield.
Balancing comedy and shock value in fast-paced videos is what differentiates a great comedian from an okay one.
Visual gags can be typical, like a comedy relief character walking into a doorframe (good ol’ reliable) or exaggerated actions. These little moments (if timed properly) will add layers to the humor. Throw in some fast zoom-ins or sudden zoom-outs and the joke turns epic. FunkyFrogBait, despite appearing as a serious video essay channel, thrives on visual gags. Their delivery is what changes everything. They use comedy to frame very serious topics sometimes.
Memes. Another important component to a great fast-paced funny video. Memes get old fast, but a fresh one will keep the audience entertained. You’ve probably seen how creators like Danny Gonzalez use meme references to punctuate their commentary. It’s fun to see if it's well-made.
Subverting expectations is a comedy bit that thrives on surprise and that’s why these are funny. The audience anticipates one outcome, but you deliver something completely different.
It’s the heart of the “unexpected punchline” that has made viral videos so effective. Introduce a scenario, build the tension, then deliver an unexpected twist. For example, you can play with nonlinear editing: start in the middle of the action, jump back, then forward again. Several examples of this can be found in TimTom videos.
5. Camera Work
It might seem obvious, but it’s an important thing to note as well. The way you frame your shots is everything. Good camera work can make a joke twice as funny.. Using closeups, slow/fast motion, freezing the frame or even replaying funny moments can make delivery hit harder..
Good camera work can make any content niche shine. Look at FutureCanoe cooking channel. His latest camera work combines all the tricks mentioned above. It’s subtle, but it definitely works.
For better edits, nail the basics:: rhythm, timing, and reaction. These tricks are what turn a regular moment into a memorable one. The more you experiment with your edits, the better you’ll get at combining these techniques together into hilarious content.
