How to Get into Video Editing

Contributor, Benzinga

Becoming a successful video editor takes dedication and hard work. You need skills to move around in a video editing program. Knowing what needs to be done and how to do it takes experience as well as education. This article will teach you the basics of what you need to learn, where you can learn it and some practical ways to sell your skills.

What to Look for When Learning Video Editing

When it comes to learning a new skill such as editing videos, you need to learn many different skills. Going through a basic video editing course will help you to gather the necessary knowledge before diving into a video editing program. Take a look at what you need to learn as well as how to get started promoting your skills. 

Technical Abilities

You must learn the technical side of video production before you can land a gig. This includes having a good eye and enough talent to know how to execute your ideas. You need to understand color grading, proper lighting, saturation, using green screens and even working with audio. 

Software Selection

Choosing the right type of video editing software helps you learn more easily on your own instead of going through a course. Consider which programs your computer can handle as well as the courses you plan to take in the future. For instance, if you plan to take a course that focuses on Final Cut Pro, don’t purchase Adobe Premiere. 

Content

New clients will normally ask for your highlight reel or your portfolio so they can see that you have what it takes to work for them. You generally want to have a diverse selection of editing skills showcased in this folder so you can appeal to a wide client base. Many professional video editors have their own specific style, but that comes with years of building your name and demand for your work. 

Mentors

To really grow as a video editor, take a look at the professionals around you and in the industry. Find someone that you want to emulate and model your decisions and direction after them. Look into this person’s work history and try to find out how this person made connections. You will not always be able to copy what they did completely, but it will point you in the right direction. 

Gigs

You can make a living as a video editor for a repeat client or for countless smaller clients. Check on websites such as Fiverr and Upwork to find freelance opportunities. You can also try contacting YouTube channels. Many channels also send their content to an editor to prepare and upload their videos for them.

The Best Places to Learn Video Editing

Check out the list of the best places to learn video editing skills, whether you are a beginner or just want to learn a new program. These options range from free learning to over $100.

1. Best for Adobe Premiere Users: Premiere Pro CC for Beginners: Video Editing in Premiere

Best For
Short Courses

Hosted by Udemy, Phil Ebiner created this course for beginners who want to edit videos with Adobe Premiere. This course will help you learn with its multitude of practice exercises and videos. 

Pricing: $99.99

2. Best for Mac Final Cut Pro Users: Mastering Final Cut Pro

Jason Cox and Nick Harauz created this course that goes over every step of the video editing process in Final Cut Pro. Both certified trainers for Final Cut Pro offer a wealth of knowledge and materials for you to learn from. This is great for beginners who want to get started. 

Pricing: $49

3. Best for Beginners Looking for Resources: Larry Jordan

Larry Jordan created this learning epicenter after working as a producer, editor and director for countless corporate videos and television shows. This website offers a wealth of knowledge that comes with over 50 years of experience. On Larry Jordan, you can find resources for 2 of the most popular professional video editing programs Adobe Media and Final Cut Pro. 

Pricing: $19.97 to $129

4. Best for Basic Video Editing Techniques: Introduction to Video Editing

Best For
Quick Courses

Linkedin Learning has become a source of professional learning for almost any career field. Introduction to Video Editing helps you learn about video editing without having to focus on specific software. This means you can learn the skills you need and you can more easily apply them to every program that you use.

Pricing: $34.99

5. Best for Learning on a Budget: Videomaker on YouTube

The YouTube Channel Videomaker has a large wealth of knowledge and helpful information for video editors and filmmakers. It specializes in Final Cut Pro with an entire playlist of all the essentials that you need to know to learn the basics. 

Pricing: Free

6. Best for Adobe Premiere Beginners: Free Adobe Premiere Pro Essentials Tutorial Course: Video Editing Basics

The YouTube channel Bring Your Own Laptop offers a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the digital world and you can watch the 2-hour video to learn about video editing in Adobe Premiere. Take the time to check out the other videos from them to grow your knowledge of video production in general.

Pricing: Free

Develop Your Skills

Applying the dedication and hard work needed to become a professional video editor pays off. If you take the time to build your skills and reputation, you can not only find clients but have clients asking for you. Showing clients you care about their project can make the difference between never hearing from them again and getting a repeat client. Remember that your name gets attached to the work you do. As a freelancer, your reputation can grow or destroy your clientele. 

Becoming a successful video editor takes dedication and hard work. You need skills to move around in a video editing program. Knowing what needs to be done and how to do it takes experience as well as education. This article will teach you the basics of what you need to learn, where you can learn it and some practical ways to sell your skills.

Contents

What to Look for When Learning Video Editing

When it comes to learning a new skill such as editing videos, you need to learn many different skills. Going through a basic video editing course will help you to gather the necessary knowledge before diving into a video editing program. Take a look at what you need to learn as well as how to get started promoting your skills. 

Technical Abilities

You must learn the technical side of video production before you can land a gig. This includes having a good eye and enough talent to know how to execute your ideas. You need to understand color grading, proper lighting, saturation, using green screens and even working with audio. 

Software Selection

Choosing the right type of video editing software helps you learn more easily on your own instead of going through a course. Consider which programs your computer can handle as well as the courses you plan to take in the future. For instance, if you plan to take a course that focuses on Final Cut Pro, don't purchase Adobe Premiere. 

Content

New clients will normally ask for your highlight reel or your portfolio so they can see that you have what it takes to work for them. You generally want to have a diverse selection of editing skills showcased in this folder so you can appeal to a wide client base. Many professional video editors have their own specific style, but that comes with years of building your name and demand for your work. 

Mentors

To really grow as a video editor, take a look at the professionals around you and in the industry. Find someone that you want to emulate and model your decisions and direction after them. Look into this person's work history and try to find out how this person made connections. You will not always be able to copy what they did completely, but it will point you in the right direction. 

Gigs

You can make a living as a video editor for a repeat client or for countless smaller clients. Check on websites such as Fiverr and Upwork to find freelance opportunities. You can also try contacting YouTube channels. Many channels also send their content to an editor to prepare and upload their videos for them.

The Best Places to Learn Video Editing

Check out the list of the best places to learn video editing skills, whether you are a beginner or just want to learn a new program. These options range from free learning to over $100.

1. Best for Adobe Premiere Users: Premiere Pro CC for Beginners: Video Editing in Premiere

Hosted by Udemy, Phil Ebiner created this course for beginners who want to edit videos with Adobe Premiere. This course will help you learn with its multitude of practice exercises and videos. 

Pricing: $99.99

2. Best for Mac Final Cut Pro Users: Mastering Final Cut Pro

Jason Cox and Nick Harauz created this course that goes over every step of the video editing process in Final Cut Pro. Both certified trainers for Final Cut Pro offer a wealth of knowledge and materials for you to learn from. This is great for beginners who want to get started. 

Pricing: $49

3. Best for Beginners Looking for Resources: Larry Jordan

Larry Jordan created this learning epicenter after working as a producer, editor and director for countless corporate videos and television shows. This website offers a wealth of knowledge that comes with over 50 years of experience. On Larry Jordan, you can find resources for 2 of the most popular professional video editing programs Adobe Media and Final Cut Pro. 

Pricing: $19.97 to $129

4. Best for Basic Video Editing Techniques: Introduction to Video Editing

Linkedin Learning has become a source of professional learning for almost any career field. Introduction to Video Editing helps you learn about video editing without having to focus on specific software. This means you can learn the skills you need and you can more easily apply them to every program that you use.

Pricing: $34.99

5. Best for Learning on a Budget: Videomaker on YouTube

The YouTube Channel Videomaker has a large wealth of knowledge and helpful information for video editors and filmmakers. It specializes in Final Cut Pro with an entire playlist of all the essentials that you need to know to learn the basics. 

Pricing: Free

6. Best for Adobe Premiere Beginners: Free Adobe Premiere Pro Essentials Tutorial Course: Video Editing Basics

The YouTube channel Bring Your Own Laptop offers a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the digital world and you can watch the 2-hour video to learn about video editing in Adobe Premiere. Take the time to check out the other videos from them to grow your knowledge of video production in general.

Pricing: Free

Develop Your Skills

Applying the dedication and hard work needed to become a professional video editor pays off. If you take the time to build your skills and reputation, you can not only find clients but have clients asking for you. Showing clients you care about their project can make the difference between never hearing from them again and getting a repeat client. Remember that your name gets attached to the work you do. As a freelancer, your reputation can grow or destroy your clientele.