What are ‘handles’ in video editing?

In video editing, "handles" refer to the extra media at the beginning and end of a clip that is not visible in the timeline but is available for editing. They provide additional footage that can be used for trimming or adjusting transitions without needing to re-import the media. This allows editors greater flexibility when cutting and positioning clips, ensuring they have enough footage to work with even if the visible part of the clip is relatively short.

The other options do not define handles accurately. The main part of the clip is simply the core content you see in the timeline and does not include extra footage for editing. Effects applied to the video pertain to visual adjustments rather than additional media attached to a clip. Finally, the audio associated with the video clip refers specifically to sound elements, which does not capture the concept of handles that focus on the visual footage of the clip itself. Thus, the understanding that handles are the extra media serves as a key component in the editing process.