Video Editing Classes for High School Students in Atlanta

Video rules the internet. Did you know that 82% of all internet traffic is people watching videos? Video has become the most popular way that people learn, check the news, and are entertained.

Many of the most popular social media platforms are based on or incorporate video: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Even X (formerly known as Twitter) has recently added the ability to upload videos up to two-hours long.

The popularity of video has made it a must-have for companies and organizations. Videos are now the primary way that many companies advertise their products and services. Forbes reports that this is a smart decision since people retain 90% of what they learn in a video compared to text.

Video editing has traditionally been a skill for the film and television industries, but the rise of the internet and video streaming has created a demand for people with video editing skills in every industry.

The industry-standard software applications used for professional video editing are Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects. Both are a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of software programs, which also includes Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign. Training in the Adobe Creative Cloud is recommended for anyone who wants to work in creative fields such as film/television and design.

Why High School Students Should Learn Video Editing

Video editing is an excellent skill for a high school student. It can lead to part-time work or the creation of a successful personal video channel. Video editors can work for a production company or marketing agency, or they can work freelance for individual clients. It is an in-demand skill that offers a lot of flexibility.

The Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office estimates that more than 700 films and television series have been made in Georgia since 1972. Georgia’s film and television industry has exploded over the past decade, infusing more than $4 billion a year into the state's economy. More and more films and television shows end with the “Made in Georgia” production card at the end. In fact, Georgia is the second most popular U.S. state for film production, behind Los Angeles.

Some of the popular films and television series that were made in Georgia include Black Panther, Stranger Things, Ozark, Forrest Gump, Fried Green Tomatoes, Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, The Walking Dead, Smokey & The Bandit, and Atlanta.

Atlanta is also home to several major television networks such as CNN, Turner Classic Movies, TNT, and TBS.

In-Person Video Editing Classes in Atlanta

The Atlanta School of Photography offers courses on Adobe Premiere Pro, including Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects.

Video Editing with Premiere Pro is a three-week, beginner-friendly introductory course on using Adobe Premiere Pro for video editing. Some of the skills taught in this course include working with multiple sequences, video and audio layering, advanced color correction techniques, color grading, creating and incorporating animated graphics and text, audio correction, and exporting for multiple platforms.

Film Connection is a film production school based in Atlanta. It was founded in 1983 and has trained thousands of Atlanta residents on filmmaking skills. They offer three programs in filmmaking: Film Production & Editing, Cinematography, and Screenwriting. Their Film Production & Editing program is a 21-week immersive program designed to help students learn the skills needed to become a film director, Video Editor, or work in production. The course covers Direction/Shooting (shot blocking, lighting), Writing (movie pitches, treatments, scriptwriting), and producing. Graduates are paired with externships in the Atlanta film community.

Emory University’s Continuing Education Program offers introductory courses on Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects. Adobe Premiere Pro Level 1: Introduction is a two-day training course intended to introduce students to the basics of video editing using Adobe Premiere Pro. Some of the skills covered in this course include creating video sequences, trimming clips, adding audio, creating stylized transitions, multi-camera editing, creating title sequences, and publishing across multiple platforms.

Virtual Video Editing Classes

In-person classes are the most traditional way of training for a career. However, online classes have become increasingly popular over the past decade, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Choosing an online class can broaden your training options and offer you access to world-class instruction from anywhere, even your own living room in Atlanta.

There are two primary formats of online classes: asynchronous or live online. Asynchronous courses are on-demand and are typically delivered through pre-recorded lectures and online exercises. Live online classes have a live instructor who teaches a class over a teleconferencing platform such as Zoom.

Live online classes are a great alternative to in-person classes because they work exactly the same: because the class is happening live, you’ll be interacting with your instructor and classmates in real-time. You have the ability to ask questions. You can even get direct feedback on your work or collaborate with other film students using screen-sharing software.

NextGen Bootcamp is a top NYC coding, design, and business school with immersive summer programs designed for high school students. Expert instructors teach cutting-edge tech skills to a small class size of high school students in a classroom of their peers.

Their Video Editing with Premiere Pro trains high school students to create dynamic, professional video projects for YouTube, TikTok, or a career in the film industry.

Graduates earn a Certificate of Completion in Video Editing with Premiere Pro, which is digitally verifiable and sharable on LinkedIn. Some of the skills covered in this summer program include video editing techniques and tools, color correction, green-screen removal, adding transitions, audio editing and adjustment, working with film timing, creating videos for social media, and exporting video to different platforms.

NextGen Bootcamp also offers a Video Editing & Animation Certificate that trains students in video editing skills using Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects using real-world projects. Some of the skills covered in this immersive summer program include video editing tools and techniques, color correction, green-screen removal, creating and adding transitions, adjusting footage, customizing videos for different social media platforms, creating animated videos and graphics, working with the Adobe After Effects timeline, working with audio and video projects, and animating 3D layers.

Animation Summer Bootcamp NYC

In NextGen Bootcamp's introductory summer course, Animation Summer Bootcamp NYC, high school students find themselves immersed in the dynamic realm of 2D animation. Held in the bustling heart of NYC, this program offers a distinctive opportunity for students to engage with expert instructors and connect with like-minded peers who share their enthusiasm for animation. The journey begins with an exploration of animation's captivating history, tracing its evolution from humble origins to today's contemporary techniques. Students then delve into the finer points of design and animation principles, refining their skills through hands-on sketching exercises and engaging demonstrations.

As the course progresses into its second week, students explore advanced concepts which lead to a final project applying their newfound knowledge to craft professional-grade animations. This immersive experience not only fosters students’ confidence in their abilities but also ignites a lasting passion for animation. Upon completion of the bootcamp, students are awarded a certificate of completion, serving as a valuable credential for college applications and future career endeavors.

Animation Summer Bootcamp Live Online

In Animation Summer Bootcamp Live Online, students engage in a live, interactive course led by experienced instructors, offering an ideal alternative for those unable to attend a NYC summer course. This online experience encompasses all the cutting-edge content of the NYC bootcamp, from exploring animation origins to mastering contemporary techniques. Participants immerse themselves in design and animation principles through hands-on exercises, state-of-the-art techniques, sound design, and narrative-driven storyboards. Plus, they discover how the fine-tuned art of timing enhances project realism and conveys mood, weight, and power. As their final demonstration of mastery, students create polished projects that show off professional-style skill and creativity.

Remote setup assistance ensures seamless participation, with students accessing the same hands-on projects as in-person classes. Through Zoom, participants engage in real-time interaction with instructors, sharing screens and receiving hands-on assistance as needed. The final project serves as an online showcase, providing an opportunity for feedback from peers and instructors, further enhancing skill development and confidence.

How to Choose a Video Editing Class

Choosing the right video editing class will ultimately be about choosing the class that most fully aligns with your goals. You’ll want to take some time to decide why you want to train in video editing and how it fits into your career and academic goals.

If you’re interested in video editing as a hobby, or for your personal social media account, then you might want to choose a class with a lower time and financial investment. However, if you want to learn video editing for a career, then you’ll want to make a larger time and money investment in training.

Is it important that you learn with other high school students? Training in a class of your peers could help with networking, friendships, and socializing. You might feel fewer nervous to ask questions if the other people in the classroom are also high school students. For example, all of NextGen Bootcamp’s programs are exclusively open to people ages 13–18, which means that in addition to training in video editing skills, you might make some friends along the way.