How do Beginners Learn Video Editing?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by the prospect of learning video editing, remember that every experienced Video Editor had to start in your position. While there are many different tools and concepts to master, and you’re sure to face challenges along the way, know that almost anyone can master video editing. Keep reading to learn about how to begin your journey, some helpful tools, and ways to make the learning process easier.

Getting Started with Video Editing

One of the first things that you’ll need if you want to edit video is a video editing application, and a computer that is powerful enough to run it. Some video editing applications are free, such as DaVinci Resolve. Others offer a free trial and then require you to pay in order to keep using the app. For example, Adobe offers a free seven-day trial of Premiere Pro. After that, you’ll need a subscription. There are both monthly and yearly subscription options. Apple provides a free 90-day trial of Final Cut Pro. If you want to keep using the application after that, you’ll need to buy it for $299.99. When it comes to your computer, it is possible to edit on either a laptop or a desktop computer, but some people prefer a desktop. In a section titled, “Hardware Recommendations for Premiere Pro and After Effects,” Adobe explains, “Video editing is demanding and requires powerful processing and fast storage.” For this reason, it says, “Desktops usually offer more ‘bang for the buck,’ include more configuration options, and are often easier to upgrade.” 

After you have your equipment and software, you can set yourself up to start using the application that you have chosen. A good place to begin is by familiarizing yourself with the interface. Some people also refer to this as the workspace, and it consists of various panels that each serve a specific purpose in the editing process. Every application will have its own unique interface. You can probably find some free online tutorials that explain the basics of your interface, or if you’re planning to take a class then that will be one of the first things covered. Finally, another step in setting yourself up to edit is to import some video footage so that you’ll have material to work with. Again, you may need some help figuring out how to do this, either through a class or by watching some free tutorials.

The First Steps When Learning Video Editing

When you have set up your equipment and editing application and familiarized yourself with the interface, you can start learning some video editing skills. First, you’ll need to learn how to create a new project. Then you can learn some basic editing techniques and practice them on that project. Some of the techniques you can practice are: assembling a video, making cuts, and deleting, adding, and rearranging scenes. You can also learn to correct colors, add special effects, add music and sound effects, and add text.

In addition to learning how to use your chosen video editing application, you’ll need to learn a wide range of different editing concepts such as pacing, telling a story, and using cuts effectively. In an article titled “Introduction to Video Editing,” Adobe explains something called the “Rule of Six,” which is a commonly used set of rules for editing film. It says, “When you begin film editing, consider each of the following (in descending order of importance): 1. Emotion: How do you want the audience to feel? 2. Story: Are you advancing the story in a meaningful way? 3. Rhythm: Does your timing feel right? 4. Eye trace: Where is the viewer’s focus on the screen? It shouldn’t have to travel too far from one shot to the next. 5. 2D plane of screen: Can the audience keep track of the spatial orientation of the on-screen characters and objects? 6. 3D space: Is the cut true to established spatial relationships?”

Another important first step in learning video editing is to keep organized so that you’ll always know what you have and where to find it. Experts advise creating a system for organizing your video footage. Adobe quotes feature film editor Maurissa Horwitz, who maintains, “If you don't set up your project and your media in an organized way, it will kill you in the long run.” Adobe offers a number of tips for organization. It says, “Be sure to label video files, audio files, and even still images clearly and keep them on the same drive for easy access. Also make note of the video file formats of the footage you’re using, and record any issues that might come up when converting from one format to another.”

Free Video Editing Tools for Beginners

If you’re trying to teach yourself video editing, there are many different free online resources that you can utilize. For instance, there are short instructional video editing clips on YouTube where you can learn a wide range of editing skills. Some content creators--like Film Riot--post videos on their websites that teach introductory editing skills. You’ll also 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. 

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 has a Premiere Pro User Guide, which provides information about many different features of the program including color correction, compositing, titles, and effects. The User Guide also contains suggestions for some simple beginning projects that you can work on in order to improve your Premiere Pro skills. Adobe also 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.

Video editing schools are another place to find free resources. Some schools provide basic free resources so that students can get an idea of a topic before committing to a formal class. For instance, Noble Desktop offers a number of free seminars that cover introductory video editing information. Get Started in Video Editing is a free seminar that discusses what video editors do, the tools used in the industry, and the current state of the profession. Intro to Premiere Pro is another free seminar and provides an overview of some basic Premiere Pro skills like importing and organizing footage, creating sequences, and adding transitions and effects. Noble Desktop also offers access to a number of short projects where you can learn specific Premiere Pro tips and tricks. These include “Premiere Pro Masking Effect,” and “Creating Motion Keyframes in Adobe Premiere Pro”.

Some on-demand schools offer certain video editing classes for free. These are generally not as comprehensive as paid classes, but they can be a good way to learn a limited number of skills. For instance, Udemy offers a free version of some of its courses. With the free option, you won’t get a certificate of completion and you won’t be able to ask questions, but you will be able to learn some fundamental skills for free. An example of a free Udemy course is “Video Editing for Beginners: Learn How to Edit.” There are many other schools that offer limited free access to certain courses including Skillshare, Ripple Training, and Alison.

Live Video Editing Training for Beginners

While some people do successfully learn video editing on their own, many end up opting for a live, paid video editing class where they can follow a structured program and learn under the guidance of an expert. An expert instructor can personalize instruction to meet your needs, offer help and answer questions when needed, and provide feedback on your progress. With regular interaction and feedback, you can continually improve your skills and learn from both your mistakes and successes. Most instructors will have already spent many hours editing videos and can also offer valuable tips and tricks, in addition to industry insight and common mistakes to avoid.

Another benefit of a live class is that you’ll learn as part of a group. This can enhance the learning process and it can also lead to valuable networking opportunities. In addition, it will give you experience working with other people. Since video editing is often a collaborative process, that group experience can be extremely valuable. 

Finally, when you take a class you’ll have access to all of the resources that you’ll need in order to learn video editing. This includes the latest software and computer technology, and it also includes video footage that you can use to practice your editing skills. Not only can this benefit you financially because you won’t have to pay for everything yourself, but it’s also a great way to be sure that you are using the latest technology. Video editing techniques and tools change often. By taking a class that’s taught by an industry professional, you can be confident that you are learning the latest tools and techniques.

The Next Step

If you’ve already learned some video editing skills but you want to learn more, you could consider learning a complementary skill. For instance, motion graphics have recently become popular in video content, so you could learn some motion graphics skills. You could also consider learning about animation. Another option is to learn another computer application. For instance, if you already know how to use Premiere Pro you could learn After Effects, which is used for motion graphics and effects and integrates easily with Premiere Pro.

You could also consider earning a professional certification. For example, you can get certified in Adobe Premiere Pro by passing a 50-minute exam. There is evidence that certification can help you advance in your existing career by increasing your chances of receiving a promotion or pay increase. According to a 2023 report by Pearson VUE, 37 percent of candidates say that they have received salary increases as a result of certification, and 92 percent said they felt more confident in their abilities. In an article titled “The Value of Certification,” certification exam provider Certiport reports, “In the U.S. and Canada, professionals with certifications have an average salary of $111,334, which is 7% more than non-certified professionals.”

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. 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.