Can I Learn Video Editing in 3 Months?

If you’re thinking about learning video editing, you may be wondering how long the learning process will take you. Can you learn in 3 months, or should you plan to spend longer? The video editing learning process varies from person to person, and depends on many different factors including how much related knowledge and experience you already have, and how much time you devote to practice. For most people, 3 months is not long enough to master video editing. However, it is probably long enough to gain some fundamental skills and start working on some basic projects though. From there you can keep adding to your skills, maybe even taking a class to help you achieve mastery more quickly.

How Much Video Editing Can I Learn in 3 Months 

Learning video editing involves mastering all of the different tools of an editing application. In addition, you’ll need to be able to understand and apply a wide range of different principles and techniques. In a May 20, 2023, Industry Corner Spotlight on the Alison blog, editor Bradley Pather stresses the importance of mastering both technical skills and editing principles. He says, “Video editing is not just about putting together different shots or scenes; it’s about telling a story, conveying a message, or evoking emotions through visuals and audio. While technical skills are crucial in video editing, storytelling is what separates an excellent video editor from an average one.” Learning all of this is likely to take time and practice. Most people can expect to learn some basics within a few months, and should know enough to work on simple editing projects. Most experts say that you’ll probably become fairly comfortable with the editing process within about six months. Mastering video editing at a professional level is likely to take a year or more. If you already have some video editing skills or if you know how to use an editing application, you’re likely to learn more quickly. Enrolling in a live, paid class can also help you learn faster. 

The way that you learn video editing will also impact how much you can learn in 3 months. Many video editing classes come in both full-time and part-time options. With a full-time class, you can focus all of your attention on learning and complete your training as quickly as possible. However, if you have a busy schedule or other obligations, then a part-time program can be a good alternative because it allows you to learn at the same time as holding a job or meeting other obligations. If you learn part-time though, you can expect to have gained far fewer skills at the three-month mark than with a full-time program. Some people choose not to take a class at all, and instead learn video editing on their own. If you choose this route then you can expect the learning process to take a lot longer too. Video editing is a complex field and to do it well, you need to gain a wide range of technical skills and you also need to learn many different editing concepts, such as visual aesthetics, pacing, and how to tell a story. In a January 14, 2019 article on LinkedIn, Videographer James P. explains, “Video editing is more complex than you might realize. It’s easy to push a record button, but video editing requires software expertise and lots of patience. . . . Every 30 seconds of footage can take 1 to 3 hours of editing. That means that a basic two-minute video will be 4-7 hours of editing.” When you learn by yourself, you’ll have to guide yourself through learning all of these different concepts and skills, and that may take a while. 

How Can I Learn Video Editing More Quickly?

One of the best ways to speed up the learning process 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 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.

What Video Editing Skills Will I Need to Learn After 3 Months?

After three months, you might be starting to feel comfortable with your video editing skills, and may be working on a number of simple projects, however, you’re still likely to have a lot to learn. Taking a more advanced class is one way to continue learning. You could also consider starting to work on 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.”

If you’re interested in video editing it’s important to understand that--as with many careers--the learning process will never be over. Staying competitive will require you to continually devote time to learning about new trends and technology. In an article titled “How Can You Prepare for the Future of Video Editing?” LinkedIn Learning explains, “Video editing is a dynamic and creative skill that requires constant learning and adaptation. As technology and trends evolve, so do the demands and expectations of clients and audiences.” However, many people enjoy this aspect of video editing because it means that their job never gets boring. 

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.