How to Become a Video Editor – A Guide to Beginners
How to Become a Video Editor?
If you have a flair for storytelling and an appreciation for the work that goes into film, TV, and online productions, video editing could be the right career for you. As one of the most important jobs in any production, video editing is responsible for the end product that viewers see. It is also a position that can benefit from the ever-increasing demand for content in today’s media environment.
So, how do you get into video editing? As with any career in production, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but there are some helpful tools and resources that will help you get started.
From the top video editing jobs hiring right now to the skills you need to succeed in the industry, here’s everything you should know about becoming a movie and video editor.
What does a video editor do?
A video editor collects footage from a film or television shoot, organizes it, and creates a cohesive end product. Video editors work with directors and producers, as well as other post production departments, to create the final edit — or the finished product as seen by viewers. Video editors may also collaborate with colorists to achieve the final edit look, or they may color-grade on their own.
In the film and television industry, this takes place during the postproduction stage of a project — or the period following principal photography (film).
A video editor’s tasks include:
- Assembling footage
- Adding audio to video
- Clipping, attaching, and otherwise organizing videos
- Crafting a rough cut and then responding to feedback for the next draft
- Overseeing assistant video editors
- Communicating with directors and film crew
While the editor and the cinematographer are two separate positions, it’s not uncommon for the roles to be done by the same person, especially for smaller productions. Regardless, the video editor is someone who understands the basics of film language and can speak to the other departments about what choices are being made, why they are being made, and what needs to be done to achieve the director’s vision.
Video editing skills: what you need to be successful
You must master certain hard and soft skills to succeed as a video editor. Film and video editors should:
Understand video editing software: A lot of the work of an editor takes place using programs such as Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, After Effects, Adobe Lightroom, and DaVinci Resolve, so familiarity with these softwares is a must. Try your hand at beginner–friendly video editing software like Capcut and Filmora.
Be detail-oriented: Because of the vast amount of data, videos and information editor’s deal with on a daily basis, attention to detail and excellent organization are essential skills in the profession.
Be Communicative: Much of the video editor’s work entails following a director’s vision, responding to feedback, friendly and reading scripts. Verbal and written communication skills and the ability to ask questions for clarification are imperative.
Be flexible: Producing and editing a video creates a constant state of flux. You must be highly adaptable to new situations so that you can handle delays, unexpected mistakes, and last-hour revision requests. It’s also important to have the flexibility to follow industry trends and advancements while adapting your own process accordingly.
Be Creative: A video editor must have the creative capital to understand the fundamentals of basic visual storytelling—such as composition, tone, pace, rhythm, sequencing, and montage.
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