In an age when streaming is more popular than any other form of media, video editing has become a highly valued skill set. From Netflix originals to TikTok influencers, video continues to grow on every platform.
The role of a Video Editor depends largely on the industries and the sectors within them. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a mean annual salary of $76,000 for Film & Video Editors in 2021, this accounts for top roles in the motion picture industry all the way down to cable TV and even services like payroll and bookkeeping.
In addition to a traditional Video Editor career, training in this skill set can lead to positions like:
- Multimedia Designer
- Motion Graphics Designer
- Video Game Designer
- Video Manager
- Design Director
- TV Studio Editor
- Film Editor
- Animator
- Broadcast Engineer
- Videographer
These roles mean vastly different things in different industries, and some positions require much more video editing training than others. If you’re interested in the role video editing plays in a particular sector, your research will be different from those who begin with video editing skills and then look for places to apply them.
Where to Start with Video Editing
If you have a smartphone, you most likely already have experience with photography, video, and editing one or both. The simple tools that come with your phone, along with free apps for editing photos and videos, have potentially made everyone amateur photographers or videographers.
Platforms like YouTube and TikTok also allow for what is known as “native editing, ” or editing within an application. You may already do this with TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts.
Consider the following apps you might have used without any formal training:
- IMovie
- CapCut
- InShot
- Kinemaster
- YouCut
There are many more comparable free and paid apps for video editing, with buzzy names like Splice, Movavi, and PowerDirector. If these are all unfamiliar to you, have no fear: professional video editing pros typically use powerful software from the Adobe Creative Cloud, like Premiere Pro and After Effects.
DIY Vs. Formal Training
Although you might be familiar with some video editing tools, the number of hours you’ll need to spend editing as a professional greatly outnumber the amount of time you’ve spent tinkering with videos on your smartphone. Consider the following options for a video editing education.
- Do-it-yourself—DIY may work for certain industries, and you can find many instructional videos on YouTube, Vimeo, and other platforms. When it comes to professional video editing, though, you’re best served if you use the DIY approach only for research. Hands-on training in a classroom setting will give you both knowledge of the discipline and new ideas from instructors and classmates alike, essential for creative fields like video.
- Seminars or Workshops—Shorter classes can provide you with a solid foundation in video editing skills, especially if you have little to no experience. Many of these courses are open to beginners. Noble Desktop, which hosts this search tool, offers a six-hour Premiere Pro in a Day class perfect for video editing novices, as well as a six-hour After Effects in a Day course.
- College Degree Programs—If you’re serious about video editing, you might decide to enroll in a formal college or university program. Video Editors with degrees typically choose majors like Photojournalism, Film & Video Production, or Radio & TV Broadcasting. These programs can be appropriate, but require a commitment of both time and money beyond the reach of many video editing beginners.
- Bootcamps and Certificates—A middle ground between short seminars and lengthy degree programs, the bootcamp learning model is more popular than ever. These immersive programs provide in-depth video editing training in a matter of months, not years. Students learn theory and practical skills, building a portfolio of clips that can be perfect for interviews.
Noble Desktop’s video editing courses include several bootcamp-style options. Their flagship offering in this discipline is the Video Editing Certificate, which can be taken full-time in two months, or part-time in four months. Students train in Adobe Creative Cloud software like Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Audition, building a professional-level demo reel as they learn.
Other bootcamps and certificate programs include the following:
- Motion Graphics Certificate—This program features the Premiere Pro and After Effects training offered in the Video Editing Certificate. It also includes an Advanced After Effects Bootcamp and a Cinema 4D in After Effects Bootcamp.
- Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate—Combining the bootcamps offered through the Video Editing and Motion Graphics Certificates, this program features Advanced Premiere Pro and Advanced After Effects training. It also includes Adobe Audition, and portfolio bootcamps for both Video Editing and Motion Graphics.
- Premiere Pro Bootcamp—Included in the Video Editing Certificate program, this 18-hour bootcamp teaches students to edit both video and audio, and covers how to incorporate After Effects in Premiere Pro.
- After Effects Bootcamp—Also included as part of the Video Editing Certificate, the After Effects Bootcamp covers its use for motion graphics, animations, and special effects, among other uses.
- Final Cut Pro Bootcamp—Apple’s Final Cut Pro offers tools as diverse as color correction, multi-cam editing, and green screen removal. This 12-hour course is perfect for Mac users who want to learn video editing in-depth.
Other recommended tools include DVD Studio Pro and Soundtrack Pro for Mac, and Avid Media Composer, for Mac or Windows.
Additional Resources for Video Pros
Whether you’re using your smartphone or an Arri Alexa camera, you can always find support among other video editing pros. Depending on the field you choose, different organizations may benefit you throughout the course of your career.
If Hollywood beckons, consider joining professional organizations like the American Society of Cinematographers or the Society of Camera Operators.
Is motion graphics design more your focus? Check out the International Council of Design, American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), or the Society of Illustrators, Artists, and Designers.
If you plan to study video editing tools to train in video game design and development, you might want to join the International Game Developers Association or the Entertainment Software Association. And if you want to be a Digital Designer, consider the Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) or the American Institute of Graphic Arts.
You might also seek out organizations in your area, particularly if you live in a large metropolitan center like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago. Many local organizations provide benefits relative to creative industries in their respective locations. As you build your portfolio and grow your network of fellow designers, animators, and developers, you’ll find the right position and the best resources for ongoing success.