Daily Life of a Video Editor

Daily Life of a Video Editor

From advertising to instructional videos to creating a social media presence, almost every industry requires the expertise and skills of a Video Editor. Video Editors in any field share common tasks and responsibilities. Learning more about the day-to-day lives and workflow of Video Editors can help determine if this is your career path. Use the following article to imagine your life as a Video Editor and how you can make this exciting career your reality.

What is a Video Editor?

If you’re looking for a career that combines your artistic and organizational skills into a cohesive, creative experience, consider pursuing training as a Video Editor. Video Editors are responsible for compiling, editing, and producing different types of audio and visual content into a coherent and unique form of media. They frequently work with advertisers, filmmakers, directors, social media companies, and other visual media fields to create seamless and compelling narratives.

Video Editors use professional-grade applications such as Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro to transform raw footage shot onsite or at a soundstage into the modern movie masterpieces we see on our screens today. Editing includes smoothing the transitions between camera angles, removing background noises, and adding sound and visual effects. Video editors also transform ordinary greenscreens and tennis balls into fantastical landscapes and mythical figures.

Read more about the responsibilities of a Video Editor.

Video Editor Specializations

Within the field of video editing, there are several job titles that a Video Editor might specialize in, each requiring its own unique set of skills. A professional with video editing skills can turn raw footage into a cohesive, visually engaging project. A Video Editor is responsible for assembling the different elements of a video such as effects, music, sound, and dialogue, into a finished product. They need to have strong technical skills to manipulate video and audio files with precision. Video Editors must also be able to collaborate with other production team members to create a cohesive project.

Motion Graphics Designers specialize in creating animated graphics for videos. They must be highly skilled in using specialized software and have an eye for detail when creating visuals that capture the viewers' attention. Motion Graphics Designers must also understand how color, light, and sound can be used together to create the desired effects. These professionals bring a creative flair to the production process and are essential for creating videos that captivate the viewers. 3D Animators focus on creating realistic visuals common in video games or feature films. These professionals need to have advanced drawing and animation skills and an understanding of the principles of animation and storytelling. 3D Animators must be able to work independently to develop high-quality visuals that meet deadlines and client expectations.

There are also Graphic Designers who specialize in creating visuals for videos. These professionals must be highly skilled in typography, layout design, and color theory to create visually engaging graphics that meet the client's specifications. They use industry-standard software to create visuals that capture the viewers' attention, ensuring that the video project remains consistent from start to finish. No matter what job title Video Editors choose, their skills and creativity are essential for creating visually engaging videos that meet client expectations.

Read more about other job titles related to Video Editor.

Starting Your Day

Think about your ideal work environment. Are you at home or in an office? Are you working independently or with colleagues? Do you prefer to begin the day by listening to podcasts while commuting to the office or enjoying your first cup of coffee in your home office? One of the significant benefits of working in the video editing field is workspace flexibility. Today, many video editing jobs are fully remote or hybrid, while others occur in a film studio or collective workspace. As a Video Editor, you can pursue jobs that will allow you to work in environments where you can flourish.

9 AM

While each person's workflow may differ, most Video Editors begin their day with a thorough project review. This includes a review of the client's expectations for the finished product and any project notes provided by supervisors or colleagues. Depending on the project, this may include extensive research into industry trends, style guides, and software updates to ensure they use the most up-to-date programs and techniques when producing content. Organizing and planning for the day is the best way for a Video Editor to stay on track and focus when working.

11 AM

The rest of a Video Editor's morning is spent gathering the different elements of the video such as b-roll, sound effects, and music. This task involves combing through existing libraries for materials that fit the desired style or finding clips online for purchase. Depending on the project, a Video Editor may need to contact outside professionals for additional resources. After gathering all the required material, they create a timeline on their computer and import the elements into a timeline-based editing program.

2 PM

In addition to editing film or video footage, Video Editors may also be working on a variety of other projects. These include promotional videos, social media content, podcasts, corporate training videos, and even news or documentary footage. The type of project a Video Editor works on can greatly affect their day-to-day activities. For instance, while working on a documentary, editors might spend considerable time in the research phase, while editing a promotional video may require close collaboration with marketing teams.

5 PM

As the workday draws to a close, the Video Editor will likely spend their final hours reviewing the day's work. This may involve checking the alignment of visuals and sound, ensuring a seamless transition between scenes, and fine-tuning any graphics or special effects. At this stage, they will also share their progress with clients or team members for feedback.

To ensure a smooth start the next morning, Video Editors should document their progress, note any issues that arose during the day, and outline the tasks for the next day. This includes any pending edits, renders that need to be processed, or feedback that needs to be addressed. A clear plan for the next day helps Video Editors hit the ground running, maximizing productivity and ensuring the project remains on track.

After Work

After work hours, many Video Editors dedicate time to professional development to enhance their technical and creative skills. They might engage in activities such as learning new editing software, studying the works of accomplished editors, or attending webinars and workshops on the latest industry trends and technologies. Some may even participate in online communities or forums to share ideas and learn from their peers.

Circumstances that might lead a Video Editor to put in overtime vary. Tight deadlines, especially when working on large or multiple projects simultaneously, often require extra hours. Furthermore, last-minute revisions or client requests might prompt Video Editors to work beyond their regular schedule. In the movie industry, it's common for Video Editors to work long hours, including weekends, particularly in the final stages of post-production. Despite demanding hours, the satisfaction of seeing the final product makes these additional hours worthwhile for many professionals in this field.

The Production Process

The basic job of a Video Editor is to make videos and editing takes up most of the day. The video production process has three parts: pre-production, production, and post-production. Editing is primarily done in the post-production phase, but if you are both shooting the footage and editing it, you may plan your shots with the final cut in mind. The pre-production phase is all about planning. It is helpful to create a storyboard, a series of graphics that approximate the most important shots and tell the story the video is presenting. If there is no storyboard, there should at least be a shot list to make sure that all of the footage that will be needed is taken.

The production phase is the part of the process where the footage is shot. It is important during this phase to record plenty of footage. Take multiple shots to be sure to have the best footage to work with during editing. Shooting a number of different angles such as close-ups and wide angles, gives the editor options in post-production. Also, make sure to get some environmental footage to use for B-roll. Another important part of the production phase is organization. Labeling and organizing footage makes post-production much easier. Making multiple copies of files is a good idea, too, and be sure to keep a copy in a separate physical location to reduce the chances of losing the raw footage.

Post-production is where the editing takes place. The Editor uses the raw footage to tell the best story. By employing techniques like cutting, changing chronology, transitions, speed changes, and special effects, video editing techniques take a collection of different shots and weave them into a narrative that captures and holds the attention of an audience.

Staying Motivated

Video editing involves long hours in front of computer screens choosing the right clips, putting them together, and working with audio, color, and special effects software to create the video your company or client wants. It takes inner motivation to keep at the task for hours at a time, and different Editors handle the time differently. Some prefer to start in the morning, work until lunch, then start again and work until quitting time. Others prefer to break their day up into smaller pieces with a few hours of editing interspersed with answering emails, conferring with colleagues, or attending meetings.

However the Editor feels most comfortable working, it is important to stay on schedule and meet deadlines. It also helps to be organized. If you keep your files labeled consistently and put project files where you can easily access them, you will be able to work more efficiently and meet those deadlines.

Editing Can Be Repetitive

Editing work can get repetitive, especially when you work on similar projects most of the time. For example, if you work for a broadcast sports program, you will edit game footage, interviews, and commentaries most of the time, and can go through 200-300 clips an hour. It is important to figure some breaks into your schedule to get up and move around for both your physical and mental health.

Another way of dealing with a repetitive task like video editing is to focus on the creative aspects of the job. Many Video Editors enjoy seeing the story take shape according to a plan, and storytelling is just as important to video editing as knowing how to use the software. Some Editors zone in and go at it until the job is finished, while others also shoot video, so that can help break up the day.

Take a Break

Working for hours at a computer can make you tired and sore. It is important to move in your chair every 30 minutes or so and get up and walk around every couple of hours. Video Editors sit for much of the day, so some add some lunges and stretches to their daily office routine. Others find a standing desk to be helpful in avoiding back and neck pain that comes with long periods of sitting.

A brief change of scene can be refreshing and many Video Editors find going for a walk to the kitchen or restroom is enough of a break. Others intersperse different tasks like answering email or setting up future projects with editing to break up the day.

Regular Employment Vs. Freelancing

There are some full-time, permanent jobs for Video Editors, but many work freelance. Some Editors appreciate the steady income and not having to look for work constantly. Others prefer working as freelancers because they can do different types of projects and often work from home.

Freelancing involves putting together a portfolio of work to show to prospective clients, and advertising on platforms like Craigslist, Angie, UpWork, or Thumbtack. Freelancers need to spend time advertising and networking, but they also have more freedom over how they structure their time. Some prefer to work during the day, while others work at night. Many Video Editors appreciate the opportunity to work when they feel most productive.

Learn the Skills to Become a Video Editor at Noble Desktop

Are you excited to begin your Video Editor career but unsure where to start? Don’t stress! Noble Desktop is here to help! Noble Desktop offers many resources relevant to video editors at each leg of their professional journey. Professionals looking for a roadmap to entering or building their careers can explore training opportunities and career paths through Noble Desktop’s Learn Video Editing Page. Editors looking for a comprehensive overview of educational and practical training opportunities offered live online and in-person should check out Noble Desktop’s Video Editing Topic Page. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the video editing profession and relevant editing applications that professionals regularly use.

Video Editors use various professional-grade applications to design and create their projects. But how do you determine which programs to add to your toolkit? Noble Desktop provides a comprehensive archive of learning resources that detail the functionality, level of difficulty, and cost of learning different applications. Foundationally, most professionals are well-versed in video editing software such as Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. If you are already established in the field and looking to gain a competitive edge in the job market, consider learning more about motion graphics software like After Effects.

As you explore these sophisticated visual graphics programs, you will likely recognize that learning these intricate programs on your own can be a lonely and complicated process. Luckily, Noble Desktop offers live online and in-person courses for video editors at all stages of their careers. For example, professionals ready to dive into the video editing field may want to enroll in a Premiere Pro Bootcamp or After Effects in a Day course. These fast-paced classes are an excellent way to rapidly build your video editing skills with the guidance of an experienced instructor. Video Editors looking to diversify their portfolios and demonstrate their skills to potential employers can pursue a Video Editing Certificate or a Video Editing and Motion Graphics Certificate. Students gain robust hands-on experience through small class sizes and project-based learning opportunities. Noble Desktop even offers a free retake option so students can refresh their skills and maximize their retention within a year of their class.