Video Editing Classes for High School Students Near Me

Video editing is the art and science of combining and juxtaposing images and video files to create a completed video project. Video editing is an art form with a long history, and it is essential to the completion of any video project. Learning video editing means learning how to use modern video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro and learning the tried and true editing techniques that are used to add meaning and context to a video project. Students will learn the creative art of using editing techniques to make a video more effective, persuasive, or impactful. They will also learn the fundamentals of scene-to-scene cinematic editing, which is important for maintaining continuity and properly placing edits.

Why High School Students Should Learn Video Editing

Learning video editing is an ideal option for high school students who hope to work in almost any aspect of an industry that produces video content. Students looking to become professional editors or filmmakers will want to start their training early, making a video editing course an ideal place to learn the fundamentals of Premiere Pro and cinematic editing. These courses also allow students to build their own demo reel for when they are applying to film schools, letting admission boards know that they are dedicated to their pursuits. Video editing classes are also useful for aspiring film students who want to learn the history and practical process of editing, since directors, actors, writers, and cinematographers must work with editors to complete a film project.

Video editing is also practical for students looking to create their own video content. With the rise of platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok, video content is easier to make than ever, and aspiring content creators and influencers must learn how to make their work stand out from the crowd. As the field becomes increasingly crowded, video content needs to look more professional to attract an audience, and learning basic editing techniques is one method of ensuring that your video looks as good as it can and attracts an audience with its professional finish.

In-Person Video Editing Classes

Students, particularly those who live in major cities, may want to consider exploring their options for in-person video editing classes. Most of these classes will be offered by professional development centers (teaching skills like Premiere Pro and After Effects) and colleges that offer pre-college courses within their film departments. The offerings will vary from location to location, and students who live outside of major cities will likely need to travel a reasonable distance if they want to attend a class in-person. While some college programs do offer lodging for students enrolled in these classes, this will greatly increase the cost, and those programs are likely to be more selective.

Virtual Video Editing Classes

Students looking to learn video editing will also have the option to attend virtual classes. These live online courses give students access to all of the benefits of in-person instruction without the added expense and time commitment of traveling to a university or training center. Students will learn from experienced instructors who provide lessons in real-time, and students will be able to ask questions and receive personalized support and feedback. These courses are taught in digital classrooms, and advances in online learning pedagogy will ensure that students get a complete educational experience as they learn the art of video editing.

Students looking to learn the art of video editing online can enroll in NextGen Bootcamp’s Video Editing & Animation Certificate Live Online course. This program, also available in-person at NextGen’s NY campus, gives students a crash course in the fundamental skills needed to succeed as editors and animators. Students will learn how to use industry-standard tools like Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects and get hands-on, practical experience working on exercises modeled after real-world editing jobs. Students will also learn foundational theories of editing and animation so that they understand how to make certain edits and why those edits are utilized to add meaning and weight to a scene. This course is ideal for students of all experience levels and is a practical training course equally suited for aspiring film students or YouTube stars. At the end of the class, students will have a sample demo reel ready to take with them into the real-world.

Animation Summer Bootcamp NYC

In NextGen Bootcamp's introductory summer course, Animation Summer Bootcamp NYC, high schoolers are immersed in the world of 2D animation. Held in-person in the vibrant setting of NYC, this program offers a unique opportunity for students to receive hands-on guidance from expert instructors and connect with peers who share their passion for animation. The course begins by tracing the fascinating history of animation, from its humble beginnings to today's cutting-edge techniques. Students then delve into the intricacies of design and animation principles, honing their skills through interactive sketching exercises and demonstrations.

As the course progresses into its second week, students explore advanced concepts and undertake a final project where they apply their newfound knowledge to create professional-grade animations. Through this comprehensive experience, students not only build confidence in their abilities but also ignite a lasting passion for animation. Upon completion of the bootcamp, students receive a certificate of completion, which serves as a valuable asset for college applications and future career pursuits.

Animation Summer Bootcamp Live Online

Animation Summer Bootcamp Live Online delivers a vibrant learning experience under the guidance of experienced instructors and offers an immersive alternative for those unable to attend the NYC summer course. Through live online lessons and group activities that mirror the NYC bootcamp’s content, this comprehensive curriculum spans the history and methods of animation from its rudimentary origins to advanced techniques. Engaging sessions delve into design and animation principles, provide practical exercises, and share advanced techniques, sound design, and narrative-focused storyboards. Students learn and practice the pivotal role of timing in enhancing project realism and emotional impact.

With seamless remote setup assistance, students are fully engaged in the course and participate in hands-on projects akin to those in traditional classrooms. Leveraging Zoom, they interact directly with instructors, share screens, and receive personalized support in real-time. The course culminates in the creation of a polished final project that showcases professional-grade skills and ingenuity. This final project serves as an online showcase that provides valuable feedback from peers and instructors and prepares students for continued growth and confidence in animation.

How to Choose a Video Editing Class

Choosing a video editing summer program can be difficult since there are so many options and factors to consider. Students will need to consider the accessibility, price, and focus of the course, and they will need to consider their own long-term goals.

First, students should consider practical matters such as the cost of the course and how accessible it will be to attend. Whether in-person or online, students should be confident that they won’t run into unexpected issues and they won’t miss class. Students opting for in-person instruction will need to budget time and money for travel (and potentially lodging), and students who opt for online training will need to be confident that they can access a digital online classroom for several hours of uninterrupted study. Cost is another factor to consider. While the price tag of a live training course may seem large initially, the benefits you get from engaging with a live instructor make these courses the most valuable for your dollar. Learning to edit videos, particularly how to make the subtle but noticeable cuts and edits that video projects rely upon, can be very difficult without receiving personalized feedback. Learning the skills poorly will result in making edits worse than unedited content.

Students will also want to consider their personal long-term goals. Some courses, particularly those taught by colleges in pre-film school programs, focus on professional cinematic editing techniques and the theory and history of film editing. Technical programs like the ones offered by NextGen tend to emphasize practical career skills and creative uses of the applications that are detached from the kind of editing expected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Students looking to edit their own YouTube videos will likely benefit more from a technical skills course, while students angling to get accepted to the New York Film Academy will want to spend more time with theories of editing.