What is it like to work as a Video Editor? Some Editors work for a company and commute into an office/studio, while others work from home. Some also shoot video footage, while others are exclusively Editors. It’s a solitary job and the day usually starts with coffee, but beyond that, a day in the life of a Video Editor depends upon the Editor.
Video Editors often work alone or as part of a small team, and can work long hours to meet a project deadline. The median annual salary for a Video Editor in the United States is $67,250. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 30,000 people working as Video Editors in the US in 2020, and the field is expected to grow quickly, with a projected increase of 29% by 2030.
The Production Process
The basic job of a Video Editor is to make videos and editing takes up most of the day. The video production process has three parts: pre-production, production, and post-production. Editing is primarily done in the post-production phase, but if you are both shooting the footage and editing it, you may plan your shots with the final cut in mind. The pre-production phase is all about planning. It is helpful to create a storyboard, a series of graphics that approximate the most important shots and tell the story the video is presenting. If there is no storyboard, there should at least be a shot list to make sure that all of the footage that will be needed is taken.
The production phase is the part of the process where the footage is shot. It is important during this phase to record plenty of footage. Take multiple shots to be sure to have the best footage to work with during editing. Shooting a number of different angles, such as close-ups and wide angles, gives the editor options in post-production. Also, make sure to get some environmental footage to use for B-roll. Another important part of the production phase is organization. Labeling and organizing footage makes post-production much easier. Making multiple copies of files is a good idea, too, and be sure to keep a copy in a separate physical location to reduce the chances of losing the raw footage.
Post-production is where the editing takes place. The Editor uses the raw footage to tell the best story. By employing techniques like cutting, changing chronology, transitions, speed changes, and special effects, video editing techniques take a collection of different shots and weave them into a narrative that captures and holds the attention of an audience.
Staying Motivated
Video editing involves long hours in front of computer screens choosing the right clips, putting them together, and working with audio, color, and special effects software to create the video your company or client wants. It takes inner motivation to keep at the task for hours at a time, and different Editors handle the time differently. Some prefer to start in the morning, work until lunch, then start again and work until quitting time. Others prefer to break their day up into smaller pieces with a few hours of editing interspersed with answering emails, conferring with colleagues, or attending meetings.
However the Editor feels most comfortable working, it is important to stay on schedule and meet deadlines. It also helps to be organized. If you keep your files labeled consistently and put project files where you can easily access them, you will be able to work more efficiently and meet those deadlines.
Editing Can Be Repetitive
Editing work can get repetitive, especially when you work on similar projects most of the time. For example, if you work for a broadcast sports program, you will edit game footage, interviews, and commentaries most of the time, and can go through 200-300 clips an hour. It is important to figure some breaks into your schedule to get up and move around for both your physical and mental health.
Another way of dealing with a repetitive task like video editing is to focus on the creative aspects of the job. Many Video Editors enjoy seeing the story take shape according to a plan, and storytelling is just as important to video editing as knowing how to use the software. Some Editors zone in and go at it until the job is finished, while others also shoot video, so that can help break up the day.
Take a Break
Working for hours at a computer can make you tired and sore. It is important to move in your chair every 30 minutes or so and get up and walk around every couple of hours. Video Editors sit for much of the day, so some add some lunges and stretches to their daily office routine. Others find a standing desk to be helpful in avoiding back and neck pain that comes with long periods of sitting.
A brief change of scene can be refreshing and many Video Editors find going for a walk to the kitchen or restroom is enough of a break. Others intersperse different tasks like answering email or setting up future projects with editing to break up the day.
Regular Employment vs. Freelancing
There are some full-time, permanent jobs for Video Editors, but many work freelance. Some Editors appreciate the steady income and not having to look for work constantly. Others prefer working as freelancers because they can do different types of projects and often work from home.
Freelancing involves putting together a portfolio of work to show to prospective clients, and advertising on platforms like Craigslist, Angie, UpWork, or Thumbtack. Freelancers need to spend time advertising and networking, but they also have more freedom over how they structure their time. Some prefer to work during the day, while others work at night. Many Video Editors appreciate the opportunity to work when they feel most productive.
Who Does a Video Editor Work With?
Many Video Editors work independently and alone, but they are also part of a team. The makeup of the team depends upon the size of a show or project. A feature film has numerous teams with a set hierarchy with a Director, Producer, Show Runners, and Executive Producers. For an independent film or small-budget animated show, the Editor will usually work closely with the Director. An advertising project will have a Creative Director, whose job it is to ensure that the video accurately reflects the client’s brand. The Video Editor may also work with a Producer, Art Director, or directly with the client.
Listening and Communicating
Not only do Video Editors work with footage, but they also need to be good communicators. It is important to express yourself clearly when discussing a project, so there are fewer misunderstandings that can slow the work down. The Video Editor can also be seen by the crew as a “captive audience,” which can lead to people stopping by to talk. It’s important to have a good rapport with colleagues, but also know how to set boundaries so you can get your work done.
Learning Video Editing
If the job of a Video Editor sounds interesting, it is easy to take courses to change careers. There are schools and training programs available that offer intensive classes in software and technique. You can choose classes that meet in-person or online to learn Premiere Pro, After Effects, and other relevant software. Some people prefer to attend brick-and-mortar sessions 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 the class with a professional-quality portfolio of sample videos that you can show to prospective employers.
Conclusion
It is easy to learn video editing and start a new career. Check out Noble Desktop’s video editing classes. 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.