Thanks to the advent of the smartphone, most of us have some experience with photo and video editing. Apps like iMovie, InShot, and Layout from Instagram have become commonplace, with everyone from kids to grandparents shooting and editing photos and videos. Students play with Phonto, Splice, or Picscart to edit selfie photos and videos, and many of these apps are free on either a trial or permanent basis.
If you’re interested in a video editing career, however, the level of training required for this field is intensive. Video editing pros use industry-standard software like Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, or the Mac-centered Final Cut Pro. And motion graphics and video editing professionals alike use Adobe Audition for audio editing.
The Wide Range of Video Editing Paths
You might think about video editing mainly in terms of cutting, splicing, and rearranging frames. But the variety of roles open to those who study video editing is unusually wide. That’s because so much more video is needed in business today, from sectors like entertainment and gaming to marketing, advertising, and event planning.
The following are four primary positions for this engaging field:
- Video Editor - Video Editors can work on anything from internet commercials to corporate training videos. Some companies require full-time video editing staff, while other video pros make a living freelancing in a variety of industries.
- Digital Designer - A Digital Designer can train for a massive number of sectors, too, including public relations, marketing, and communications. Digital Designers often incorporate skills like PowerPoint and InDesign with video tools like Premiere Pro and Premiere Rush.
- Motion Graphics Designer - A Motion Graphics Designer uses live video, animation, and graphics for everything from games and apps to TV shows and movies. Top tools of the trade include Adobe After Effects and Cinema 4D, and top fields for motion graphics pros include the film industry, retail, and tech companies.
- Video Manager - The title Video Manager is today synonymous with Video Production Manager. These skilled professionals oversee the video creation process, whether in film, advertising, or content marketing. Many work with writers, directors, actors—in short, everyone associated with a video project.
Additional roles for graduates from video editing programs can include:
- Film Producer
- TV Studio Editor
- Broadcast Engineer
- Cinematographer
- Animator
- Multimedia Artist
- Camera Operator
- Production Assistant
- Videographer
Employment Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators earn an annual median salary around $60,000, whereas Multimedia Artists and Animators average nearly $79,000 per year. These numbers can vary, however, depending on factors like the industry, and the professional’s educational background and experience. Salaries for top Video Production Manager positions are estimated at around $122,000 per year.
To a greater degree than many other fields, finding work in video editing depends on your goals, geographical location, and the sector or industry. The plan of action for a videography career will differ considerably from that of a film or TV production role.
Tools for Beginners
Getting started in video editing? You may already have some experience working with photos and videos using iMovie, PowerDirector, or other popular tools. Consider experimenting with free apps, such as the following:
- Boomerang Video Maker Loop - A boomerang is a short video loop, and this app is great for videos and stories.
- Alight Motion - This is a motion design app for animation, graphics, and effects.
- KineMaster - KineMaster is a feature-heavy application for iPhones or iPads. A premium version is available for those seeking even more features.
While your experience with amateur video editing may be wider than that of the average person, you’ll need to get formal training eventually. A bootcamp or certificate program can serve as a happy medium between a short workshop and a full-scale degree in video or film production.
The Bootcamp Educational Model
Noble Desktop offers several certificate programs for those interested in video editing. All are open to beginners, but check course descriptions to see which one best matches your interests.
Certificate programs made up of multiple bootcamps have become increasingly popular, as students look to get training in video editing fundamentals as well as advanced tools. Consider the following courses from Noble Desktop:
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Video Editing Certificate - This program can be completed in two months full-time or four months part-time. It’s most appropriate for those looking to become Video Editors or Production Assistants, marketing pros who want to expand their video expertise, or Designers who want video editing training. Students learn a host of Adobe Creative Cloud tools essential to video editing, including:
- Premiere Pro
- After Effects
- Audition
- Motion Graphics Certificate - The Motion Graphics Certificate includes Premiere Pro and After Effects training. It also adds an Advanced After Effects Bootcamp, so students learn more about creating animations, adding graphics to footage, and working with greenscreens. The course features additional training in Cinema 4D Lite in After Effects.
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Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate - Combining all the units of the Video Editing and Motion Graphics Certificates, this immersive program includes 114 hours of instruction. Training modules cover the following:
- Premiere Pro
- After Effects
- Audition
- Cinema 4D Lite
All three certificates include 1-on-1 mentoring sessions, and emphasize portfolio building, which in video and motion graphics means creating demo reels. These are essential when looking for work, as you’ll want to show prospective employers your own unique video projects.
How Video Certificates Stack Up
Video-centered certificate programs consisting of multiple bootcamps rate highly among Noble Desktop alumni. “I took a motion graphics and video course, and I couldn’t be happier,” says one graduate. “I would highly recommend Noble Desktop to anyone: it’s the best type of training school in this field.”
“Noble’s Video Editing Certificate program is packed with well-taught, in-depth class exercises,” adds another grad. “Our instructor answered all questions and brought a sense of excitement and enthusiasm to every class.”
Whether you want to become a Film Editor working in post-production or a Broadcast Engineer converting video and audio to digital, a video editing bootcamp or certificate can pave the way to a rewarding, creative career.
Want more information? Check out Noble Desktop’s featured courses here.