The creative world of film and television production looks exciting, but is it a stable career? You may be wondering if you can learn video editing and change careers—and if you do, whether it will be a good career. There are several career paths for Video Editors to follow, each with its own characteristics and benefits.
Careers in Video Editing
Video editing training can lead to jobs in the motion picture and television industry or various businesses. Many companies hire Video Editors to work on training films or edit commercials. Music videos are another possible career path. Many businesses use videos on social media to sell products, and these businesses often contract freelancers for services. Also, vlogging, producing self-shot and edited video content, is becoming a way to earn a living on YouTube and TikTok. This can lead to a career in film and television production.
There are some corporate jobs for Video Editors, but many work freelance. This involves putting together a portfolio of work to show to prospective clients and advertising on platforms like Craigslist, Angi, UpWork, or Fiverr. Video editing pays well with a median annual salary of $67,250 in the US. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 30,000 people were working as Video Editors in the United States in 2020, and the field is expected to grow quickly, with a projected increase of 29% by 2030.
Qualifications for a Job in Video Editing
If you are interested in a career as a Video Editor, you will need to learn to use digital editing and animation tools. A background in photography is helpful, too. You will also need good communication skills, the ability to tell an interesting and compelling story with a sense of narration and timing, attention to detail, and the ability to meet deadlines.
Another important qualification for most Video Editors is understanding how social media and digital marketing work. Marketing videos on social media are becoming increasingly popular, with 60% of companies using video as a marketing tool and 94% planning to continue the practice. Video is increasingly used in other aspects of businesses, too, like human resources, operations, management, and customer support.
Career Paths for Video Editors
Many Video Editors start out working as freelancers and work into positions as they gain experience. Here are some of the career paths for Video Editors.
Film Editor
A Film Editor works in post-production in a film studio. The editor chooses clips of raw footage to tell a story following the director’s vision. Film Editors use a storyboard to choose the best clips and put them together in the right order paying attention to matching the consistency of the footage. Film Editors often work long hours for brief periods when they have a project to finish before the studio deadline.
The career path for a Film Editor often begins with an internship or apprenticeship. As you gain more experience, you can move into a job as an assistant editor or senior editor. Some Film Editors eventually choose to become Directors.
TV Studio Editor
Video Editors who work in television need to be able to work quickly to get footage edited for scheduled news broadcasts. They tend to work more regular hours than Film Editors. Roles for TV Studio Editors are similar to Film Editors. You will start out as an assistant and gain more responsibility as you demonstrate your talents and reliability.
Event Video Editor
Event Video Editors shoot footage of special events like weddings, graduations, and anniversary parties. They choose the best clips and put them together into a sequence so that clients can cherish the memory of their big day. Event Videographers are often self-employed. Some make a lifetime career out of this area, while others use it to get a job with an advertising agency or studio.
Web Video Editor
Video Editors who make web content can create their own films or work for someone else. This is often freelance work and a good way to start a video editing career. Sometimes this kind of editing can lead to a permanent position with a marketing firm or video production company.
If you go to work for a company, you will probably start out as an Editorial Assistant and work your way up to a Senior Editor. You may choose to change career paths slightly and move into Creative Director or Project Manager.
Broadcast Engineer
This is not technically a video editing position, but many Editors have expertise in using audio tools, so this is another possible career path. Broadcast Engineers can work on radio shows and podcasts, do sound correction for films and videos, and work with special sound effects.
Training to Become a Video Editor
In addition to film and television production, many industries using videos for advertising and training are growing fast. If you are interested in training to switch careers and become a Video Editor, taking classes is one of the best ways to do that.
Some people prefer in-person classes when learning new information, but that isn’t always available. Live online classes have a similar set-up with a real-time, remote instructor who can answer questions and take control of your monitor—with permission—to show you how to do things. Training is part or full-time and available weekdays, weeknights, or weekends.
The best way to prepare for a career shift to a technical field like video editing is to enroll in a bootcamp or certificate program. These are intensive training courses that run for a few weeks to a few months and will cover video editing in much more depth than tutorials can. Another plus of training is that you will leave class with a professional-quality sample video portfolio that you can show to prospective employers.
Getting a Job as a Video Editor
Once you have completed a video editing course, you can begin to look for a job. The most important parts of a job search are compiling a good portfolio and then doing some networking.
Build a Professional-looking Portfolio
Potential clients want to know that you can deliver on time, know what you are doing, and are trustworthy and easy to work with, but first and foremost, they want to know that you can create the kind of content they want. Having a portfolio of sample videos shows clients what you can do. Keep your website up to date with samples of your latest jobs. It helps people find you and builds your reputation.
Put Some Effort Into Networking
Networking is crucial to finding work as a Video Editor. Make connections with filmmakers and other editors so they will check out your work and keep you in mind for future assignments. Join professional groups on LinkedIn or Meetup to grow your network.
Conclusion
It’s easy to learn video editing and start a new career. Check out Noble Desktop’s video editing courses. Choose between in-person sessions in NYC at Noble’s location or sign up for live online video editing courses and attend from anywhere. Use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me to find other courses in video editing in your area.