One of the most essential roles of any production, the video editor is essentially responsible for the final product that’s seen by audiences. Video editors play an important role in the production of visual media like films, TV shows, commercials, and YouTube videos. They’re responsible for assembling and manipulating footage, also as adding sounds, graphics, and effects to convey a message or tell a story. And if you want to become a Video Editor, below is the guide to a career in Video Editor.
What Does A Video Editor Do?
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Video editors are liable for creating the final cut of a film, commercial, TV program, Youtube Video, or another kind of video. They must be very organized as they sort all the footage and then they edit the videos using software programs. Editors can also be employed by individuals to create short videos for weddings or special events or even for promotion and YouTube Video editing.
How To Become A Video Editor
The path to becoming a video editor looks different for everyone and depends largely on what kind of work you’re looking for (in-house or freelance), whether or not you’ve got formal education, and what kinds of productions you’re hoping to work on. In any case, an excellent first step is to get as much experience as you can, build a portfolio you’ll showcase to potential employers, and work your way up from there. If you wish to become a video editor, you need to be very creative and meticulously, a true cinephile would enjoy every second of it.
In-house vs. Freelance Video Editor
Video editors typically work in one of two forms: As an in-house editors at a production company or as a freelancer. The difference between the two is:
Flexibility: If you are working In-house, it provides stability and predictability as you work the same hours in the same setting and have a regular paycheck coming in. As a freelancer, you’re responsible for finding your clients and figuring out where your next paycheck comes from. That being said, many video editors just like the freedom and flexibility that comes with freelancing.
Scope of the Role: Once you first start as an in-house video editor, you’ll be looking at entry-level jobs. In other words, it’s going to be a while before you get to do any actual video editing on your own. If you’re looking to gain industry experience and learn from more senior editors, this is often a great option. Once you start as a freelancer, on the other hand, you’ll be diving head-first into video editing, but the projects you’ll take on will likely be smaller like a corporate training video, helping someone with their YouTube channel, editing a marriage video, etc. As you gain more experience and build out your portfolio, you’ll take on larger projects and contracts that last several months.
The path you choose entirely depends on you, your lifestyle, and your comfort level. Many video editors have started in-house before switching to freelancing, or vice-versa, as their preferences and goals evolved.
Learn Editing Software
Gone are the times when the only way to edit film was by cutting it and taping the pieces together. Nowadays, many cinematographers and video editors use software editing tools to bring video to life. Learning computer basics is vital for you to understand the editing software needed later on in your career.
Graduate With A Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree is the first way of obtaining the education and skills required as a Video Editor. A Bachelor of Arts in Film and Video Production program trains you to use the equipment that video editors depend on in their profession. Samples of coursework would include film theory, production, script analysis, media ethics, feature screenwriting, and post-production.
Complete An Internship
You can start your Video Editing career through an internship during or after college. Completing an internship as a video editor provides you with the chance to apply skills, build a resume and acquire professional recommendations. If you were to apply for an internship after college, you’ll be required to show a portfolio of work, references, and an understanding of editing software.
Become A Video Editor
Becoming a video editor requires current knowledge of film and video technology trends. After the internship, you can directly grab a job. As you gain more experience within the field, you’ll receive recommendations for your previous work, which may lead to more job opportunities.
Become Video Editor Without A Degree
Video production is an industry where relevant experience and high-quality work are valued even as much if less than formal education. When applying for a job or pitching your services to a potential client, you’ll have to provide a portfolio of work (often via a highlights reel) to showcase your skills.
Since you won’t have any school projects to show, you’ll have to build up your portfolio from scratch, starting with small independent projects and working your way up from there. Breaking into the industry without a proper degree also means that you won’t have the same access to resources and potentially helpful contacts. you should be prepared to do a lot of research and networking, join professional organizations, and keep your eye out for opportunities that would help you get your foot in the door.
