Video Editing Classes Charlotte, NC

Video editing is the process of bringing together, arranging, and correcting multiple filmed shots into a unified whole. Sound and image editing take place after principal filming and are part of the post-production process for various film, TV, documentary, advertising, or educational purposes. This editing process developed alongside the rise of film and initially involved physically cutting strips of film and suturing them together to create effective transitions. Today, those in video editing use digital software to do this work, such as industry-standard software like Adobe Premiere Pro for editing video and sound, Adobe After Effects for adding motion graphics or animated elements, or Final Cut Pro for both video editing and motion graphics.

Those with video editing experience commonly find themselves working in the film or TV industry or creating advertising and marketing materials. They can, however, work in a variety of industries like healthcare, education, finance, and manufacturing, as most companies and organizations use some amount of educational or informational video material or want to add video or motion graphics to their websites. Learning video editing allows you to not only manipulate video but also create dynamic content for social media and other digital channels.

What Can You Do with Video Editing Training?

Video editing allows you to pursue a fulfilling career creating and organizing video footage or to pursue your own video projects. Most who learn video editing do so to edit and perfect footage shot on video. A Video Editor or Videographer will often be tasked with arranging shots in a logical order, creating effective transitions between shots, managing the pace of a video, and doing other editing work like color-correcting, removing green screens, or mixing the sound. Learning video editing allows you to understand the entire post-production process, from importing video footage into software to editing the footage and finalizing a project for export. This knowledge can allow someone to work on editing short- and long-form films, TV episodes, documentaries, commercials, or informational videos.

Learning video editing is also the first step to working in animation, visual effects, or motion graphics. You will need a solid understanding of composition and editing to create motion graphics for a variety of purposes. Someone with training in adding animation and motion elements to video footage can work on the same types of projects as a Video Editor or Videographer but can also find themselves working more directly in animation, video games, or digital and web design.

Many people learn video editing for fun or to create their own content. Someone can easily learn the basics of programs like Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro and start editing their own video projects or creating short reels to distribute their content on social media. Someone looking to increase the professionalism of their social media content can consider not only learning video editing but also learning motion graphics, which will expand your skill set and allow you to create more engaging content.

What Will I Learn in a Video Editing Class?

Premiere Pro

Premiere Pro is Adobe’s industry-standard video editing software. In a video editing class, you will likely learn Premiere Pro, and many video editing classes are just tutorials in using this popular post-production software. Premiere Pro allows you to edit, color-correct, and add effects to video, perform sound design and mixing, and create titles. You can also add motion graphics to your videos in Premiere Pro, though more complex motion graphics are usually completed using After Effects rather than Premiere Pro.

Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro is Apple’s video editing and motion graphics software. It is another industry-standard application; however, while Premiere Pro can be used on PCs or Macs, Final Cut Pro only works with devices using Apple’s Mac operating system. In a class that teaches Final Cut Pro, you will learn how to edit, arrange, and color-correct video, work with media from a variety of sources, perform sound design, and add motion graphics.

After Effects

After Effects is Adobe’s industry-standard motion graphics software. This software is often paired with Premiere Pro, as it allows you to create title sequences, credit scrolls, animations, or add motion to various elements of your video. Even if your video editing class does not teach this, you should consider learning it as it complements your video editing skills and opens up career possibilities in motion graphics or even digital or web design. Designers often use After Effects to create animated logos and other motion elements for websites or applications.

Camera, Lighting, & Sound Design

A comprehensive video editing class will not only cover the technical skills and software necessary to edit videos but should also include some important aspects of film theory. This will involve learning about the four composition elements of film—mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing, and sound—and how they work together to convey meaning in film and video. To edit video effectively, you will need this broader understanding of how creators can imbue each scene, costume, shadow, or sound effect with purpose and meaning.

Composition

Similar to other art and design classes, composition is a central skill you will learn in video editing. What is specific to video editing is the need to focus on how the individual component images, shots, and sounds work together to create a larger whole. You will learn to balance your small sound and image manipulations with the goal of creating a cohesive work that viewers will find engaging.

How Hard is It to Learn Video Editing?

Most people will be able to learn how to use video editing software fairly easily. In just a few short weeks, you can become comfortable creating simple, short video projects using Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. Learning motion graphics will take longer and can be more difficult, depending on one’s familiarity with editing, vector graphics, and animation. The difficulty of mastering video editing lies not in learning to use transitions, mix sound, or color-correct an image, but in combining technical ability with creative knowledge to create coherent and engaging video projects.

What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Video Editing?

The most challenging aspect of video editing is bringing together your technical editing knowledge with your own creativity. Many video editing classes cover film history and theory, which are important to consider because you need to understand the purpose, function, and effect of editing elements like transitions, pacing, frame size, color, or motion graphics. While most learners do not struggle with Premiere Pro, some find After Effects more challenging. It is easier to learn After Effects for those who already have a background in graphic design, animation, or modeling.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Video Editing?

Most people can learn video editing software within a couple of weeks. Beginners will be able to create and edit short video projects after learning the basics of transitions, color, sound design, and other simple elements of video editing. It can take additional time to learn how to work with multiple kinds of footage, resize image frames, or add motion graphics to a video. In six months to a year, someone should be proficient enough to do video editing professionally, though it can take longer to master video editing skills depending on how you plan to use them and whether you’re also learning in-depth motion graphics, graphic design, or web design.

Should I Learn Video Editing in Person or Online?

As you determine whether to learn video editing in person or online, consider your learning needs as well as the cost, schedule, and curriculum of a course. In-person learning is still considered one of the most effective ways to learn a new skill and retain knowledge. You can watch hours of free YouTube videos on video editing, but they will never replicate the experience of learning video editing from a professional who can give you individual feedback and hands-on training. Additionally, in-person video editing training facilities are more likely to offer students access to industry-standard technology and software. In-person classes, however, can be harder to find and may cost more than some online options.

Live online video editing courses are a great alternative to in-person options. These are still instructor-led classes, so you will follow a similar curriculum as in-person training and learn from an expert in the field. Live online classes are also more convenient—you can usually take them from home, and many are offered outside of standard working hours in the evening, on weekends, or for part-time enrollment. Some students find it difficult to focus and remain engaged in online classes. To overcome this, make an extra effort to interact with the instructor, peers, and course material.

Another option is enrolling in an asynchronous online or on-demand course. Instead of meeting for regularly scheduled live classes, on-demand courses provide students with course material they can work through at their own pace. These courses are often the best option for those too busy to attend instructor-led classes and allow students to study where and when they want. However, you need to be very self-motivated to complete an on-demand course, as there are no instructors, other students, or hard deadlines to keep you moving through the material. While on-demand classes can be more affordable, they often lack professional skill development or career support services, making them a poor fit for someone looking to pursue video editing as a profession.

Can I Learn Video Editing Free Online?

There are a variety of video tutorials, short workshops, articles, and seminars online that allow you to learn the basics of video editing for free. A good first step is Noble Desktop’s Get Started in Video Editing free seminar, which covers what video editing is and what you’ll need to know to pursue this career. For more in-depth skill tutorials, consider watching the Premiere Pro playlist on YouTube. You can find other video tutorials on YouTube, which is a popular way to learn video editing skills.

Additionally, Adobe offers short tutorial articles on mastering features of its software, making it a good option to check out for those learning Premiere Pro or After Effects. LinkedIn’s educational platform, LinkedIn Learning, is free for most public library users and also has short video editing tutorials and classes. Keep in mind that while you can learn some foundational skills from free materials, you will not receive professional skill development from these materials alone. Instructor-led online and in-person classes offer more comprehensive instruction and career support services than free materials.

What Should I Learn Alongside Video Editing?

Motion graphics and animation are two areas that someone learning video editing will want to consider learning. Motion graphics can be part of a video editing course but a more comprehensive motion graphics or animation course will allow you to learn how to create motion effects, animated elements, and 3D models to enhance a video project. These skills are highly sought after as they allow you to create or enhance content for a variety of purposes, including motion content for websites, applications, or social media, as well as creating visual effects or animation for TV shows, movies, or video games.

Graphic design can also be another area of study that will complement your video editing skills. Taking a graphic design course will broaden your ability to think about the compositional features of a text, as you will study graphics, typography, and color and be better able to see how all of the small design elements work together to create balanced and engaging texts. Graphic design theory will overlap with film and video design theory and a comprehensive graphic design course might also teach students how to use Premiere Pro or After Effects.

Industries That Use Video Editing

Someone with a background in video editing often finds themselves working in the entertainment or advertising industries. These are both visual design-oriented industries and many professionals who create, edit, or add effects to video footage work on finalizing materials in post-production for these industries. Additionally, many other industries need individuals with video editing training to create short-form and long-form informational, educational, and promotional videos. In Charlotte, two other top industries where someone with this training can find employment are manufacturing and healthcare.

Film & Television

Charlotte is a rising hub for film and TV productions in the Carolinas. The region prides itself on having a diverse set of filming locations, government incentives, and a strong local talent base to draw from when putting together a filming crew. The first Hunger Games film was shot entirely in North Carolina and, more recently, Netflix TV shows like Love is Blind and The Outer Banks were filmed here.

The entertainment industry is one of the top employers for someone with training in video editing. Here, individuals will work on organizing, color correcting, and retouching video footage, do mixing and editing work on the sound design, and add any necessary effects and motion graphics to finalize a project. Video editing professionals often work on a larger team tasked with bringing the vision of a director, producer, or other member of the creative team to fruition.

Advertising

As of 2023, the advertising and marketing industry in Charlotte and Raleigh was growing at a rate far faster than the national average. This boom is being fueled by industry professionals looking to relocate away from cities like Los Angeles and New York as well as an infusion from the tech industry. Now, the incorporation of AI tools and data analytics into marketing campaigns is popular.

Advertising is another industry that employs many people who have video editing training. Someone can find themselves shooting or editing a commercial or even compiling a video for distribution on social media. Those with motion graphics expertise can also add effects and animation to the promotional materials they create, making them even more interactive and engaging to prospective consumers.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing is one of Charlotte’s top industries. Many people in this region are employed in manufacturing and some of the top products produced in this region include textiles, automotive parts, plastics, and biomedical devices. As with other industries, manufacturing in Charlotte is changing due to the incorporation of new technologies and more production facilities are utilizing advanced manufacturing processes to cut costs and drive growth.

You might not initially think of manufacturing as a large employer of video editing professionals, but they have their place within this industry. Someone with video editing training will often be needed to film explainer and tutorial videos about manufacturing processes, either for employees or for other stakeholders. Additionally, manufacturers might need video editing professionals to edit or create promotional materials for their companies or the products that they make.

Healthcare

Healthcare is the top employer in the Charlotte region and is also another driver of growth. Given Charlotte’s location near research universities, hospitals, and tech startups, some predict that it will become a healthcare hub. There are currently more than 100 health tech startups in the region as the healthcare industry also sits at the intersection of finance—Charlotte’s largest industry—and technology.

How video editing professionals work in healthcare is similar to how they work in manufacturing. It is often the case that Video Editors and Videographers will be needed to film and edit educational videos, both to train healthcare workers in the latest innovations and to inform patience about particular procedures. Healthcare providers and services, similar to other industries, also run advertising campaigns so video editing professionals might be tapped to work on a campaign within the healthcare industry.

Video Editing Job Titles and Salaries

Video Editor

Video Editors manipulate, organize, retouch, and finalize video projects in the post-production phase of shooting. They most commonly work in the film or TV industry or in advertising, though they can also find themselves creating content for social media and websites. In addition to editing video and sound, many Video Editors are called on to add animated or visual effects to their projects and therefore will need an educational background in both video editing and motion graphics.

A Video Editor in Charlotte earns $84,000 on average. This salary is similar to the national average and will vary depending on skill level, experience, and industry. Pay for Video Editors ranges from $58,000 to $120,000 per year.

Motion Graphics Designer

Motion Graphics Designers create visual effects, 3D models, or animated content for their clients. What someone does in this role can depend on the industry, as Motion Graphics Designers can work in film, TV, or video games as well as advertising or web design. A Motion Graphics Designer will need expertise in After Effects but also often has a background in the tools and theories of film and video, which will help them execute their client’s demands.

Motion Graphics Designers make around $72,000 a year working in Charlotte, which is the same as the national average. Entry-level Motion Graphics Designers can earn around $46,000 while those with more experience who work for in-demand companies can earn upwards of $113,000 annually.

Social Media Marketer

Social Media Marketers manage a brand or company’s social media channels. This often means running marketing campaigns by creating content for social media, engaging with consumers, and analyzing the performance of their strategies. Because a Social Media Marketer will often have to create dynamic content for a client, having video editing training can be useful. This training can allow someone in this role to create professional video content or add motion graphics to social media posts.

In Charlotte, the average salary for a Social Media Marketer is around $50,000, similar to the national average. What you actually earn in this role depends on your experience and the kinds of companies or brands that employ you. Someone working as a Social Media Manager can earn $35,000 to $72,000 in Charlotte.

Videographer

A Videographer is someone who creates videos, often recording live events as they unfold. What a Videographer does depends on the specifics of the industry in which they are employed, though they will need a background in video production and editing, regardless of industry. Some Videographers record private events like weddings or family celebrations, while others record footage for sports broadcasts or news reports. Videographers can also work on shooting videos for commercials or training and educational videos.

On average, Videographers in Charlotte make around $150,000 a year, according to Indeed. The pay range for this profession starts at an average of around $78,000 and goes to above $200,000 a year. Pay is determined by experience, skill level, and one’s specialty as a Videographer.

Video Editing Classes Near Me

Noble Desktop has top-rated video editing classes, bootcamps, and certificates. All Noble Desktop classes offer hands-on training in classes that are kept small so that students can receive individual attention from expert instructors. Those interested in video editing can learn in-person at Noble’s Manhattan facility or enroll in a live online class from any location. Total beginners looking for an entry point into video editing can consider the Premiere Pro In a Day class. This six-hour, accelerated class teaches participants essential Premiere Pro skills like video and audio editing, color correcting images, and adding B-roll and animations to video to make it more engaging for viewers.

Learners searching for comprehensive or career-oriented training should consider either a bootcamp or certificate program. Noble Desktop’s 18-hour Premiere Pro Bootcamp teaches participants not only the basics of using this industry-standard software but also more advanced features like multi-cam editing, changing the speed or size of video footage, and adding elements from After Effects. Consider, also, Noble’s Video Editing Certificate program which provides 90 hours of training for prospective Video Editors, designers, and marketing professionals who need to master Premiere Pro and After Effects. This project-based course teaches participants everything they need to know about end-to-end video editing and will get participants started developing a competitive video editing portfolio. In addition to these options, Noble Desktop also offers additional introductory and advanced classes in After Effects, a Motion Graphics Certificate, and a combined Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate that teaches advanced After Effects features and has additional bonus classes on Photoshop or using generative AI for your video projects.

For those looking for an option based in North Carolina, the Charlotte School of Professional Studies offers an online Multimedia Arts Certificate. This certificate program aims to provide students with training in theories and necessary software for digital design and editing challenges. Students will learn how to use software like Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and After Effects and will work on projects like shooting and editing a documentary video and designing and creating HTML webpages. This is a self-paced course designed to be completed over 12 months, which is shorter than most traditional film and video degree programs. They also offer a standalone self-paced Premiere Pro Training course designed to be completed in just three months.

Tapping into the local film industry in Charlotte, The Media Arts Center (MAC) also offers a Filmmaking Intensive program of study. This program is geared toward those looking to pursue a career in filmmaking and covers everything from screenwriting, casting, and working with cameras to editing with Premiere Pro. This is a project-based course where students will be tasked with creating their own short films over the course of the program. Participants will have opportunities to network with industry professionals and develop their filmmaking portfolio in this 14-week program.

Central Piedmont Community College has multiple locations around Charlotte and offers a full degree program in Film and Video Production that someone interested in video editing will find useful. They offer two editing-specific courses. Editing I covers the foundations of traditional film and video editing and Editing II delves into digital editing skills and technologies. These classes are one part of what you’ll learn as a student in this program and its goals are to prepare students for working professionally in filmmaking.

Professional career training center Certstaffix also offers Adobe Creative Cloud software classes. Their beginner-friendly Adobe Premiere Pro class is a three-day intensive class taught live online by one of their experienced instructors. This course walks students through everything from importing files to exporting final videos to a variety of platforms. Students learn video editing, sound design, transitions, visual effects, and color correcting and can use this course to prepare for the Adobe Certified Professional exam in Digital Video Using Adobe Premiere Pro.

Video Editing Corporate Training

Noble Desktop offers hands-on, expert-led corporate training classes for video editing. Beginners will be interested in the six-hour Premiere Pro or After Effects In a Day workshops and for more comprehensive training your workforce can consider Premiere Pro or After Effects bootcamps, Premiere Pro Intermediate classes, or After Effects Advanced classes. Training can be scheduled in-person at Noble’s Manhattan training facility, live online from any location, or onsite at your location.

Discounted bulk vouchers are available for attendance in regular, public classes. This option allows you to choose which courses are available for your employees, without the hassle of having to schedule each individual employee depending on their training needs, skill level, or availability. To learn more about Noble Desktop’s corporate training option or schedule a free consultation, email corporate@nobledesktop.com. Noble’s representatives are happy to discuss how to customize course curricula depending on your organization’s needs and anticipated number of participants.