Learning video editing can seem daunting at first, but with the right guidance and persistence, it’s an achievable goal for most people. Video editing encompasses a wide range of skills, from basic cutting and splicing to advanced post-production techniques. The learning curve varies depending on what type of editing you want to do–simple home movies or professional polished projects. The good news is that today’s editing software and online tutorials make it easier than ever to pick up video editing.
How long does it take to learn video editing?
For a beginner with no experience, it can take 2-3 months of consistent practice to learn basic video editing skills. During this time, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with editing software, learn how to organize and assemble clips, add transitions, insert subtitles, and export your final product.
With regular practice, you can move on to more advanced techniques like color grading, audio editing, animation, and visual effects within 6-12 months. Professionals who do video editing full time have years of experience and constant learning. The more complex your projects, the more skills you’ll need to develop.
So while you can start editing simple videos within a few months, to become an expert at professional-level video production can take years. Be patient, challenge yourself with new techniques, and keep practicing. The video editing learning process is ongoing.
What skills do you need to learn?
Here are some of the fundamental skills needed for video editing:
Technical Skills
– Learning video editing software – Most popular options are Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve. You’ll need to know how to import footage, assemble timelines, cut clips, adjust audio, apply effects, and export.
– Understanding video formats and codecs – Knowing the technical properties of different video types and how to optimize them for editing.
– Hardware/equipment knowledge – How to set up your computer, choose the right processing power, graphics card, storage, and accessories like monitors and external drives.
Editing Skills
– Organizing and assembling footage – Selecting the best shots, trimming clips, arranging them into sequences.
– Cutting techniques – Hard cuts, crosscuts, transitions, pacing, matching action, cutting to continuity.
– Adding b-roll – Supplementing scenes with secondary footage for visual interest.
– Titling – Creating opening/closing titles, lower thirds, animating text.
– Correcting color – Adjusting brightness, contrast, saturation, white balance, etc.
– Audio editing – Balancing sound levels, adding music, correcting imperfections.
Creativity and Storytelling
– Understanding story arcs and structure.
– Bringing out emotions and reactions from the audience.
– Pacing scenes and sequences for impact.
– Choosing visuals, camera angles, and editing techniques to convey stories.
– Developing your artistic eye – shot composition, color, movement.
What kind of video editing do you want to do?
Your goals will determine how much time you need to dedicate to learning video editing. Here are some common video editing paths:
Home Movies
If you want to edit together fun family videos, vacation clips, or hobby projects, you can get started with just a few months of practice. Focus on the basics in an easy-to-use consumer program like Adobe Premiere Elements, Apple iMovie or Microsoft Photos.
YouTube Videos
YouTubers need a broader range of skills to edit vlogs, gaming videos, tutorials, reviews and more. Plan to spend 6-12 months learning editing fundamentals, YouTube optimization, and more advanced techniques. Popular programs include Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro.
Business/Marketing Videos
For companies producing commercials, promos, internal comms and other professional videos, expect to spend over a year training staff or hiring experienced freelance video editors. Adobe After Effects is commonly used for motion graphics.
Film/TV Editing
Working in narrative film, TV, or documentaries requires mastery of editing techniques over many years. This is a full-time career path requiring film school or extensive self-education. Avid Media Composer is the industry standard for large projects.
The more complex your video goals, the more patience and dedication it will take to develop professional editing abilities. But anyone can start picking up skills with consistent practice over time.
What’s the best way to learn video editing?
While anyone can theoretically figure out video editing through trial and error, getting formal instruction accelerates your learning curve. Here are some of the best options for education:
Take a Course
Enrolling in an in-person or online video editing course lets you benefit from an instructor’s guidance in a structured program. Community colleges, universities, private schools, freelance editors, and platforms like Udemy and LinkedIn Learning all offer courses.
Use Video Tutorials
YouTube has unlimited free video tutorials teaching every editing skill. Channels like VideoRevealed, Movies in Color, and This Guy Edits can take you from basics to advanced techniques step-by-step. Jump around topics or follow a series.
Get a Book
Readable introductions to video editing include “How Video Works” by Marcus Geduld, the “Adobe Premiere Pro Classroom in a Book,” and “The Film Editing Room Handbook: How to Tame the Chaos of the Editing Room” by Norman Hollyn.
Take Workshops/Seminars
Editing software companies like Adobe and Apple offer in-person and virtual workshops focused on their products. Local production companies sometimes open up seminars too.
Apply to Editing Internships
Getting hands-on experience under the guidance of professional video editors is invaluable. Search for openings at local media production companies, TV stations, or video studios.
Practice Editing Projects
After getting the basics down, the best way to improve is to keep practicing on your own video projects. Apply what you learn from courses and experiment.
What software/hardware do you need?
Here is recommended gear for getting started:
Computer Hardware
You’ll need a sufficiently powerful PC or Mac workstation. Look for multicore processors like Intel i5/i7 or Apple M1, 16+ GB RAM, dedicated graphics card like Nvidia GeForce or AMD Radeon. Get at least 500GB SSD storage.
Video Editing Software
Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X are popular choices for beginners. DaVinci Resolve is highly capable free software. Look for lots of online tutorials/support.
Monitor
Get an IPS LCD computer monitor like Dell Ultrasharp or Apple Pro Display XDR. Aim for at least 1080p resolution, 24-27 inches, accurate color reproduction, and wide viewing angles.
External Storage
Video takes up a lot of space, so get an external drive with multi-TB capacity. Portable SSDs like Samsung T7 offer fast speeds. G-RAID and Glyph drives work for desktops.
Media Accessories
A Wacom tablet helps with precise editing controls. An external drive reader like Lexar makes transferring memory cards easy.
Investing in quality tools will make the video editing process smoother. But start with an affordable setup, then upgrade over time as needed.
How can you practice video editing skills?
Getting better at video editing takes regular practice. Here are ideas for DIY projects:
Edit Home Movies
Take old family footage and edit into “highlight reels” for special occasions. Practice arranging clips, adding transitions, fixing color, and more.
Create Music Videos
Use stock footage and edit into music videos synced with your favorite songs. This lets you work on pacing cuts, action matching, transitions, and mood.
Remix Online Videos
Find royalty-free video clips on YouTube/Vimeo and remix into original stories. Or use footage from your smartphone to make mini documentaries.
Make Tutorials
Teach a skill by filming instructional steps then editing into an educational tutorial. This provides good cutting and continuity practice.
Produce Promos
Make promotional videos for businesses, brands, causes, services. Apply stylistic editing like quick cuts, text animations, intros/outros.
Edit Screen Recordings
Record your computer screen while demonstrating something then edit into how-to videos or game play highlights.
The more you edit, the faster your skills will progress. Practice applying effects, transitions, manipulating audio, correcting color, and other techniques.
What are some video editing techniques to learn?
Once you have the basics under your belt, here are some more advanced techniques to add to your toolkit:
Audio Editing
– Noise reduction to minimize background hums and hiss
– Compression to even out inconsistent volume
– Equalization to boost certain frequencies
– Panning for directional effects
– Syncing separately recorded audio
Titling
– Kinetic typography with motion and animations
– Tracking to pin text to moving objects
– Masking shapes and text behind objects
– Stylizing with color, size, and font adjustments
Compositing
– Chroma key for green screen masking
– Rotoscoping to isolate and track objects
– Match moving elements across shots
– 2D motion graphics and animation
Color Grading
– Primary adjustments to blacks, mids, highlights
– Secondary adjustments with masks and tracking
– Creating specific color “looks” like bleach bypass
– Color matching different footage
Special Effects
– Speed ramping slow motion/fast motion
– Camera shake effects
– Parallax shifts/scrolling backgrounds
– Explosions, weather effects, transitions
Multi-cam Editing
– Syncing and aligning footage from multiple cameras
– Dynamic cutting between angles
– Creating picture-in-picture effects
The more techniques you add to your skillset, the more creative options you’ll have when editing videos. But focus on completely mastering the fundamentals first.
How can you find video editing inspiration?
In addition to learning technical skills, watching others’ inspirational work can spark creativity:
Study Favorite Films/TV Shows
Analyze how professional editors use pacing, camera angles, scenes, and sequences to tell stories. Notice how different genres use editing conventions.
Break Down Music Videos
See how the visuals sync with lyrics and beats. Examine interesting transitions that match the tone.
Follow Video Essays
YouTubers like Nerdwriter, The Discarded Image, and Every Frame a Painting have excellent video essays examining editing techniques.
Watch Filmmaking Channels
RocketJump Film School, Film Riot, and channels hosted by working editors demonstrate helpful tips and tricks.
Browse Editing Showreels
Reels from professional video editors showcase impressive samples of projects and creativity.
Attend Film Festivals
From indie festivals to mainstream like Sundance and SXSW, you can see groundbreaking uses of video editing.
Join Online Communities
Subreddits like r/videoediting, creative Cow, and other forums let you connect with editors to exchange ideas.
Surrounding yourself with great examples will help push your own boundaries and skills as a video editor.
How long does it take to master video editing?
There is no definite threshold for “mastering” such a multifaceted craft. Professional, lifelong video editors consider themselves constantly learning. But here are some milestones:
6-12 Months
For dedicated beginners, expect proficiency with:
– Basic editing software
– Fundamental cutting techniques
– Basic transitions and effects
– Exporting completed videos
Enough to start taking on simple client work and personal projects.
3-5 Years
Within a few years of professional editing, you can master skills like:
– Advanced editing software functions
– Stylized transitions and effects
– Color grading and correction
– Motion graphics and animation
– Complex multi-cam editing
5-10+ Years
At this stage, experienced editors expand skills like:
– Efficient large project workflows
– Full range of software techniques
– Original creative transitions/effects
– Distinct artistic “editing voice”
– Collaborating in editor/director teams
10-20+ Years
Veteran editors reach pinnacles like:
– Cutting full feature films
– Showrunning TV shows or documentaries
– Leading post-production teams
– Pushing technical boundaries
– Having an intuitive, distinctive storytelling style
Mastery depends on constant learning and expanding your creative vision over a lifetime. But give yourself at least 1-2 years to build a confident beginner’s toolkit.
Conclusion
Learning video editing takes patience. But with guided education, regular practice, and commitment to the craft, it’s possible for anyone to pick up the essential skills within their first year. Remember to start simple, be patient with yourself as you progress up the learning curve, and don’t be afraid to lean on tutorials, courses, books, and online communities. Stick with it, keep expanding your toolkit, and you’ll reach mastery before you know it.