Video editing is the art of taking raw video footage and cutting and combining it into a finished product ready for release. Video Editors use digital editing applications like Premiere Pro and artistic editing techniques to ensure a finished project looks polished and communicates desired meanings to audiences.Once you’ve decided to learn Video Editing, the next important question is deciding how you plan to learn these skills. Most students find that they learn better when they receive guided training, and there is no shortage of available options for students to receive guidance in their Video Editing training. To learn more about the different Video Editing training options and what advantages and disadvantages they carry with them, read on.

What is Video Editing?

Video editing is the art of taking multiple different film clips and manipulating them to create a single finished video composition. Video Editors cut together clips, add, remove, and mix sound, digitally alter and remove elements of the film, and add special effects in post-production. Taking cues from the arts of cinematography and photography, video editing is a necessary component of producing video content. It is also a hidden art, as Video Editors strive to make their presence invisible, creating a seamless edit that washes over audiences.

Video Editors use tools like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X to create finished video projects by blending different video and sound files. Video Editors are responsible for synching audio and visual elements of the film, ensuring continuity between individual frames and scenes, and cleaning up elements of the film, such as correctly handling green screens or removing ambient sound and replacing it with desired music. Video Editors will work with directors, cinematographers, and producers to dictate a video's pace and movements, and even though their work isn’t always lauded, they represent an essential part of making professional quality video productions. 

Read more about what video editing is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with Video Editing Skills?

Video editing lets creatives make both subtle and significant alterations to video files. They can make minor but meaningful edits to combine multiple clips, alter audio volume, speed up and slow down footage, or correct color and lighting. They can also make significant changes, such as altering backgrounds using a green screen and chroma key software, adding in special effects or music, or removing background obstructions. These kinds of edits will come together to help creatives produce professional quality videos, and learning these skills will open the door to a high-paying and in-demand career field.

Learning video editing skills is also useful for creatives hoping to break into the world of content creation themselves. Rather than editing videos for other people, you’ll be able to create and edit your own content, giving your online presence a professional quality that can set your work apart from the competition. Whether you are making YouTube tutorials, scripted content, Lets Plays, or you want to stream on Twitch or YouTube, learning the basics of video editing can help take your content to the next level.

Why Training Format Matters

The differences between training formats may seem small, but they can have a tremendous long-term impact on whether or not a student succeeds in their coursework. Whether you opt to learn in person or online, you will receive professional instruction and assistance. Still, each class type comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages that students will need to consider. There are many different training options available for students to choose from, and picking the right course is one of the most vital first steps on the journey to a professional Video Editing career.

Types of Training Formats

One of the important questions you will need to consider when enrolling in a video editing course is what kind of training format you will choose. Students can learn in person at dedicated training centers, or they can learn online in private digital classrooms. Students will also be able to find asynchronous courses that let them learn at their own pace. Read on to learn more about the different training formats available to help you better understand your options.

Live In-Person Classes

Many students find that they prefer the advantages offered by in-person classes taught at dedicated training centers, like Noble Desktop’s Manhattan campus. These classes place students in a classroom setting designed to help them meet their learning goals by creating a distraction-free environment and directing their attention toward their instructors. Students will be in the same space as their classmates, allowing them to collaborate more easily and build important networking skills and connections. In-person classes also let students take advantage of the training provider’s onsite technology, which can be important for students who don’t have the set-up to run complex applications while attending a digital class.

The drawbacks to in-person classes tend to be related to logistics. Students will need to commute to class regularly, which can add hidden costs and time commitments to a training program that has the potential to already be time-consuming and expensive. In addition, students may find themselves limited in the classes they can attend since they can only enroll in in-person classes in their local area. This won’t be as much of a problem for some students who live near multiple campuses, but students who don't live near metropolitan areas may find their options fairly restricted. Noble Desktop has developed a robust Classes Near Me tool to help students find in-person video editing classes in their area.

Live Online Classes

An alternative to in-person classes are live online courses, which are taught in private digital classrooms over telecommunication applications like Zoom. These classes let students learn from professional instructors in real-time from anywhere they can connect to the internet, greatly expanding their options for enrolling in training programs. Students will still learn from instructions that can provide them with personalized assistance and feedback, which is especially important for learning how to edit videos professionally. Students enrolled in these classes will also be able to work on hands-on projects from their personal devices, which can be desirable for students who imagine that they will do most of their work from their home office.

The drawback to these classes is that the lack of a dedicated training center will place additional burdens on students to ensure that things are working properly on their end. Students will need to provide their own hardware and software, and they will need to ensure that their devices are capable of running a video editing application while streaming an online class. Students will also need to set up their workspace to minimize distractions and ensure that they aren’t attempting to multitask in class. Students looking for live online video editing classes should explore their options using Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool.

On-Demand Classes

Some students may find that their work and family obligations prevent them from attending regularly scheduled training classes. However, these students aren’t out of luck since they can enroll in on-demand training classes. These courses are taught asynchronously, so students can pick up and put down their lessons whenever best suits their schedules. These courses also tend to be the most cost-effective options, meaning students may not feel as much of a commitment to stick to a training program that isn’t to their liking.

The drawback to these classes is that because they lack a live instructor, students will be on their own in terms of a number of important aspects of the training process. Video editing projects can hinge on very small details, so students usually need feedback on their work to know when an edit works and when it doesn’t. Those enrolled in an on-demand class must find other places to get this feedback. In addition, if a student becomes stuck on a difficult concept, there isn’t anyone to ask questions or receive assistance from, which can make the process of learning video editing skills take longer than desired.

Free Courses

Students looking to learn video editing skills without making too much of a commitment may want to consider taking advantage of free training resources, like Noble’s Learn Video Editing articles or their free Get Started with Video Editing seminar. These resources are an ideal place for students to learn the basics of video editing techniques, terminology, and tools. Students can explore these options at their own pace, and they can get a feel for video editing applications to decide if they want to continue their training with more professional instruction. Students who continue their training will be well-positioned for long-term success since they will understand the basics of video editing techniques.

The drawback to these courses is that they are fundamentally limited by virtue of being free. Students can gain an understanding of the basics of video editing, but anyone hoping to enter the field as a professional Video Editor will need additional training. Students will also want to be wary of the content they are consuming since even reputable training providers may fall behind on updates to programs leaving some of their material out-of-date and inaccurate.

Depth of Training Formats

Not only will students have to select a delivery method for their courses, they will also need to choose how in-depth they want their training to be. Some students may want to enroll in career-focused training programs, while others may want to enroll in introductory courses.

Certificate Programs

Certificate programs are the most immersive and in-depth training programs available. These classes provide students with career-focused training intended to help them find professional work in the field of video editing. Often, rather than learning individual video editing tools, certificate-granting programs, like Noble Desktop’s Video Editing Certificate course, will train students in all of the important aspects of professional video editing. That makes these classes ideal for students looking to start a new career, particularly if the program offers career support services like one-on-one mentoring or demo reel-building seminars.

When enrolling in a certificate-granting program, the main consideration is how much time and energy you can dedicate to your training and how confident you are that video editing is the career path you want to pursue. These classes are immersive career-training programs, so they tend to be rigorous, cramming a lot of material into a shortened time frame. They are the most expensive training option (outside of a four-year college film program). You can’t do better for your time and money if your goal is to start working as a professional Video Editor, but if you aren’t sure about a career change, you may want to consider other options.

Training Bootcamps

Bootcamps offer more targeted skills training than career-focused certificate programs. 

Courses like Noble Desktop’s Premiere Pro Bootcamp aim to provide students with comprehensive training in important video editing applications (in this case, Adobe Premiere Pro). In these classes, students will receive training in a narrow range of skills that are vital for working as a professional Video Editor. Still, they will need additional training in order to gain the skills necessary to work as a well-rounded professional. Students completing these courses will still receive certificates of completion to signal to employers that they are proficient in the tools they were trained in, but the certificates will necessarily be narrower.

These courses are ideal for students who know that they want to work as professional Video Editors but whose schedules won’t permit them to commit to a long-term bootcamp. These courses are also ideal for those who want to edit their own video content as part of their other creative professional activities. These courses won’t prepare students for professional video editing work alone, but they will provide students with the tools they need to use programs like Premiere Pro professionally.

Introductory Courses

Finally, some students may not be completely sure that video editing training is right for them. Students curious about learning video editing techniques may want to enroll in an introductory training course, like Noble’s Premiere Pro in a Day class or even take advantage of free seminars. These classes will provide students with an introduction to the basics of video editing so they can decide whether or not they want to continue with their training.

These courses will necessarily be limited in the scope and depth of their training. Students who are confident in their desire to learn professional video editing skills may want to enroll in more advanced classes to save time and money. However, students who are curious or who want to pick up a new skill or hobby without investing a lot of time or money may want to consider these classes as stand-alone options.

Learn Video Editing Skills with Noble Desktop

If you are looking to learn video editing skills, Noble has hands-on training classes to fit your needs. Whether you want to learn in person at Noble’s Manhattan campus or online from the comfort of your home, Noble has you covered. Noble’s courses are taught by experienced instructors, meaning that students can receive feedback and assistance on their edits regardless of whether they are taking the course in person or online. In addition, Noble makes sure to keep class sizes small so students don’t have to worry about fighting for their instructor’s attention. Plus, each course comes with a free retake option, giving students the chance to get even more hands-on experience to complement their initial training.

For students looking to learn the basics of video editing software, Noble’s Premiere Pro Bootcamp offers students a chance to receive hands-on experience editing video clips, adding sound effects, and mixing dialogue. Students will also learn advanced editing techniques, such as how to alter the speed of a clip, how to edit multi-camera shots, and how to work with chroma key replacement and green screens. This course is an ideal choice for students who want to learn how to edit film but aren’t entirely sure that they plan to make a career out of video editing. This makes the course perfect for anyone looking to make their own video productions look as professional as possible.

For students who are looking to learn new career skills to become Video Editors, Noble’s career-focused Video Editing Certificate will give students all the tools that they need to start editing film professionally. This course will teach students how to edit using Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Audition. Students will get hands-on experience working through editing exercises that mirror the real-world work they will be doing in an editing bay, such as manipulating film clips, creating animated assets for title sequences, and clearing up and mixing audio tracks using Audition, among other skills. Students will also receive one-on-one career mentorship and professional development, and by the end of the course, they will have built a practical demo reel that they can take onto the job market.

Students interested in learning more about their options for video editing classes and bootcamps should check out the options available to them through Noble Desktop.

Key Takeaways

• Students enrolling in professional video editing training classes will need to consider the format and depth of the training programs in which they enroll.
• Students can enroll in in-person or live online classes to receive real time training and assistance from professional instructors or on-demand classes to better fit their busy schedules.
• Certificate-granting career programs are ideal for students looking to become professional Video Editors, while bootcamps and introductory courses are best suited for students who want to learn applicable skills with less time and monetary commitment.
• No matter what kind of training you are looking to receive, Noble Desktop is here to help by offering in-person and live online video editing classes for students of all skill levels and professional aspirations.