Best Part-Time Video Editing Bootcamps

If you want to learn video editing you’ll likely have the choice of learning either full-time or part-time. Each of these options has its own benefits and drawbacks. One of the biggest differences between the two is the length of time it will take you to complete the class; full-time programs are shorter than part-time ones. However, while a part-time video editing course might take longer, it lets you spread out tuition costs and also gives you longer to develop your skills and gain relevant experience.

Why Learn Video Editing Part Time?

Part time learning has a number of unique benefits. One of the most common reasons that people choose to learn video editing part time is the flexibility this option provides. When you learn part-time instead of full-time, you can balance your education with work and other responsibilities. Taking a video editing class is a significant time commitment. Not only do you need to spend time in class, but you’ll also need to spend time outside the classroom completing homework and practicing your editing skills. While it is possible to work and attend school full time, most people find that to be extremely challenging.

By attending school part time and keeping your job, you’ll also have the benefit of continuing to receive an income while you learn. This can help you fund your education. You can also spread out the cost of your education over a longer period of time. In addition, you might not feel so much pressure to get a job after you graduate and can take the time to find a position that is a good fit.

Yet another advantage of learning part-time is that you’ll have more time to absorb all the new information you’re gaining, practice your editing skills, and develop a portfolio of projects. In a field like video editing, where there are a lot of new concepts to learn, this can be a significant advantage. Further, when you learn part-time you may also have more time to accrue relevant work experience, which can increase your chances of finding work when you graduate.

Drawbacks to Learning Video Editing Part Time

There are also drawbacks to learning part time. One of the most obvious is that it will take longer to complete a part-time program than a full-time one. If you’re anxious to finish your education and move on to other parts of your life, this might be a significant concern. By taking longer to finish your education, you also risk getting left behind by people who opted for the full-time option and have already started working in this field.

Another concern with a part-time program is that you’ll be splitting your focus between education and other things, and this might detract from the learning process. Some people say that they learn better if they can focus on one thing and put all of their attention on it, as happens when you attend school full-time. In contrast, when you learn part time, you may have competing obligations--such as a job--that can take away from your focus on learning video editing. In addition, with a part-time program, you might be less likely to engage with peers, which can mean that you’ll miss out on potentially valuable networking opportunities. 

Is a Part-Time Video Editing Bootcamp Right for You?

When it comes to learning video editing, everyone has different goals and needs, so the decision about whether a part-time course is right will vary from person to person. Some students will want to complete their education as quickly as possible and will have the time and money to do so. For them, a full-time program will be a better option. However, for many people, a part-time class is an excellent way to prepare for a career in video editing. By learning part-time you won’t have to quit your job or feel pressured into accepting another. You’ll also be able to spread out both the cost of the class and the learning experience. 

Ways to Make Learning Video Editing Part Time Easier

As a part-time video editing student, you may find it challenging to learn video editing. That challenge can be compounded by the need to balance learning with other obligations such as work and family life. However, there are a number of ways to make the learning process easier. Tips for success include setting aside a certain time each day to work on editing skills, having a learning plan, being realistic about your goals and your schedule, prioritizing, and practicing time management. 

Another way to make the learning process easier is to enroll in a paid, live class. When you take a class you can follow a comprehensive, structured course under the guidance of an expert. Your instructor can personalize instruction to meet your needs and can answer questions and give you feedback on your progress. Through this interactive learning process, you can learn from both your successes and your mistakes and continually improve your editing techniques. An expert instructor can also share tips and tricks, and common mistakes to avoid, all of which could take you years to figure out by yourself. Another advantage of a live class is that you’ll learn as part of a group, and your peer interactions can also enrich the learning experience.

In addition to enrolling in a class, you can take advantage of free resources, which can help you learn new skills and can provide useful tips and practice options. For instance, YouTube contains many short video editing tutorials. Some content creators also post videos on their websites that teach introductory editing skills. If you’re focused on a particular video editing program, you may also find free online tutorials specific to that program. For instance, the Adobe website offers many free Premiere Pro tutorials. These are short videos that are focused on helping you learn a specific skill like adjusting contrast, using blend modes, or sweetening your vocals. In addition to free tutorials, you’ll find that there are many experts willing to share their expertise online through various chat forums. You can visit these forums and look for relevant information, or you can even post a specific question. Finally, some on-demand schools, like Udemy, offer certain video editing classes for free. 

Finally, don’t forget the importance of practice. To master video editing, you’ll need to learn a lot of new information and skills but you’ll also need to spend as much time as you can putting it all into practice. Practice helps reinforce the things you’ve learned, helps you master them, and teaches you to apply your skills in real-world situations. In an April 2023 article titled “How to Learn Video Editing Skills,” in Backstage, which is an entertainment industry publication, the author insists, “Ongoing practice is imperative if you want to learn to edit videos. Skills can only be truly mastered with repetition and variation, so practice is not only helpful but truly necessary.” She suggests trying to recreate videos that you like, or re-editing something of your own in order to find ways to improve.

Choosing the Best Part Time Video Editing Classes or Bootcamp

When you’re choosing a part-time video editing class, you’ll want to make sure you look at the curriculum of the class that you’re interested in. Every school has its own unique curriculum, and it's important to choose a course that is compatible with your learning goals and learning style. Some classes focus just on a more narrow set of editing skills, such as a single editing application, while others focus on video editing in general. You’ll also find differences in the ways different classes are taught. Most will include at least some hands-on training, where you work on editing projects, however, the degree of project work can vary. 

Cost is also an important consideration for most people. If you’re looking at bootcamps, you’ll find that costs can range from a few thousand dollars, to up to $20,000 or $30,000. This is generally cheaper than the cost of a college education, but it is still a substantial investment. Some schools require you to pay the entire tuition up-front, while others offer payment plans, in some cases with interest, and in others you’ll find interest-free options. If you’re looking at shorter classes, the cost will be substantially less. Depending on the type of class you choose, it could be anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. However, you’ll also get fewer hours of instruction.

With so many different video editing programs out there, it can be overwhelming to choose one. As a way to help solve this problem, Noble Desktop created the Classes Near Me tool to help you narrow down your options. This tool allows you to sort classes by geographic area, find online options, and also compare short and long programs.

Learn Video Editing with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop is a New York City-based school that offers a number of video editing classes, either in-person or in a live online format. It has both short classes that can help you quickly master the basics, and longer, more comprehensive courses that can help you develop the skills you’ll need to edit video in a professional setting. Most classes are offered both full-time and part-time. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department.

One of its most popular video editing courses is the Video Editing Certificate. This program is designed for students interested in gaining a wide range of video editing skills. You’ll learn the workflow required to take a project from concept to fully edited video. Covered skills include video editing, audio editing, motion graphics, and animation. You’ll learn to work with Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Audition. This is a hands-on class where you work on a variety of projects. In addition, you’ll complete a portfolio development unit, where you’ll build a demo reel that you can use to demonstrate your new skills to potential employers and clients. This class comes with five one-on-one mentoring sessions, and the option of a free course retake within a year.

Another certificate option is the Motion Graphic Certificate. In this course, you’ll learn to use Adobe After Effects to create motion graphics and visual effects, and Cinema 4D Lite for 3D animations. You’ll also learn to edit video, and add music and voiceover with Premiere Pro. In addition, you’ll work on a demo reel that showcases your skills. The course includes five one-on-one mentoring sessions. If you can’t decide between focusing on motion graphics or video editing, another option is the Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate, which covers both.

Noble Desktop also offers a number of classes where you can learn to use Adobe Premiere Pro, which is one of the most popular video editing applications. If you want to quickly learn the basics of Premiere Pro, you might be interested in Premiere Pro in a Day, which is a short, accelerated class. In this class, you’ll learn to organize projects, create sequences, fix audio and color, add B-roll, animating images, edit clips, and add lower third titles. At the end of the class, you’ll export a video that you can send to a client or upload to a social media platform.

The Premiere Pro Bootcamp is a longer class that covers everything you need to know to start making your own videos with this application. You’ll learn how to use Premiere Pro to add cuts and transitions between shots, correct color in the footage, sync up and correct audio, and incorporate After Effects assets in Premiere Pro. This course serves as an ideal introduction to Premiere Pro, and by the end of it, you should be prepared to start editing your own video content. 

Another bootcamp option is the Final Cut Pro Bootcamp. This course takes you from beginner to advanced features in Apple Final Cut Pro. You’ll learn to import and organize footage and put your elements into a timeline. You’ll also learn many different editing skills including cleaning up background noise, color correcting video, adding B-roll, adjusting audio volume, and adjusting the timing of footage. In addition, the bootcamp covers green screen removal, multi-cam editing, adding transitions, and exporting video.

Finally, Noble offers a Premiere Pro Certification Program, where you can become an Adobe Premiere Pro certified professional. This course includes two class sessions, which will take you from a beginner to an advanced level of mastery. You’ll also get six hours of private tutoring to address skills that you need more help with. After that, you’ll take the Adobe Premiere Pro Certification exam. Your course fee covers exam proctoring, plus a free retake. If you don’t want to take the exam, you can receive an extra hour of private tutoring instead.