How to Become a Video Editor?

Every video you find online has a story to tell. Whether you are learning something new, searching for entertainment, or exploring vlogs on social media and so much more, videos have become an integral part of online platforms. But recording videos on your camera phone, you will have to spend a good deal of time editing the content and putting all of them together in a coherent story! There are a wide variety of video editing platforms available for beginners to experts in this field but to pursue a full-fledged career, it is essential that you pursue an academic qualification to know the basics of video editing across an array of platforms. This blog has collated all the essential details regarding top programs and universities you can choose from to embark on the career path of a video editor.

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Who is a Video Editor?

Playing an indispensable part in the post-production stage, a video editor’s role is to browse through numerous recorded videos and audios and make the final cut, i.e. a perfect video that tells the story it has been primarily aimed at. Working closely with the director, DOP as well as the writers or the conceptualizers, a video editor consults them to decide the number of shots to be included and how to give proper sequence to the shots. In addition, selecting the sound effects, syncing the audio together and adding background music to give a final touch to the movie, advertisement, news reportage and snipe.

What is a Video Editor career like?

The majority of the film and video editors work in studios or offices. Almost all editing is done on a computer, and editors are frequently educated in specialized video editing software. Some of the things that video editors may do include:

• Edit video for television shows, movies, music videos, documentaries, and news and athletic events.
• Using video-editing software, or online AI video-editing tools, organize and edit digital footage.
• Collaborate with a director to define the production’s overall vision.
• To improve a scene, talk to a director about editing procedures.
• Edit a scene according to the vision of the filmmaker.

What skills are needed?

• Communication abilities To ensure that the project runs successfully, video editors must communicate with other members of the production team, such as producers and directors.
• Computer abilities. Video editors must utilize advanced video editing tools to do their work.
• Creativity. Video editors should be able to envision how their recording or editing will seem to an audience.
• I am a meticulous person. Editors scrutinize each frame of the film, deciding what should be kept and what should be cut in order to retain the greatest possible quality.
• Visual abilities. Video editors must be able to view what they are shooting or editing clearly during the post-production process.

How to Become a Video Editor?

To help you understand the career path of a video editor, we have elaborated the major steps you need to take in terms of gaining the educational qualifications and professional expertise to follow this career profile.

Get a Bachelor’s Degree

If you’re fascinated by filmmaking and possess the talent to edit and reshape videos, then you must first get a proper educational qualification to chisel those inner skills and receive guidance to properly apply them in a professional fashion. Thus, a bachelor’s degree is always the first step to start with. We have enlisted some of the popular video and film editing courses at the undergraduate level which you can explore to steer towards becoming a successful video editor:

BSc (Hons) Professional Sound and Video Technology	Bachelor of Arts in Journalism	BA (Hons) in Film and Television Production
BSc (Hons) Media Production	Bachelor of Arts: Film and Screen Production	BSc (Hons) Film Production Technology

Here are the general admission requirements you must qualify to pursue film or video editing courses:

• The basic qualification you need is 10+2 or equivalent higher secondary education in any stream or field of study with the minimum marks specified by your chosen university.
• If you are planning to study videography, video editing or filmmaking abroad, you will have to submit English proficiency scores such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc. You will be required to provide a Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Letters of Recommendation (LORs) as well.

Now that you are familiar with major eligibility requirements, take a look at the popular universities in the world for the aforementioned courses in Video Editing:

• University of Bristol
• Newcastle University
• Middlesex University
• Kingston University London
• University of Leicester
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Manchester
• Flinders University
• The University of Notre Dame Australia

Video Editing Online Courses

There are several platforms where students can take up online courses for video editing and film editing to learn the art. Platforms like Udemy, Coursera, Skillshare and Linkedin are the most popular areas to learn short-term courses. There are various institutions academies that offer video editing online courses such as New York Film Academy and Shaw Academy. 

Pursue Internships and Training Opportunities

Video editing is largely a practical field of study in which you need to apply your conceptual understanding in the real world and gain as much experience as possible. There are numerous production and media houses you can intern with to gain professional experience and learn from the best in this field. Video editors are frequently in-demand in the corporate sector as well as news, advertising and film production thus you can discover plentiful opportunities and find your forte and the areas that interest you.

Learn Video Editing Applications and Software

While discovering interning opportunities, you can also master the multifarious video editing applications and software to furnish your editing skills and become a professional visual storyteller or a video editor. Quik, Adobe Premiere Clip, iMovie, WeVideo, Clips, Splice, Cameo, KineMaster etc are some of the popular video editing applications. All these software help a student to learn the colour combination as well as joining the clips, re-sequencing the clips, adjusting the brightness as well as contrast, adding the sound or transitions and various other special effects. There are tools that help to automate parts of the video editing process, such as cutting clips and auto captions, which can save time and let you focus on the creative aspects of storytelling.

Earn a Master’s Degree

A majority of video editors usually pursue a bachelor’s degree and set out to explore the various industries and sectors to find the right one as per their interests and aspirations. A master’s degree is ideal for those aiming to gain a specific specialization in Film Production or Videography and further develop their skills and expertise to broaden their career horizons. Completing a postgraduate qualification, you can explore opportunities in video production, direction as well as editor and master the varied aspects of this field at large. Check out the top master’s degree courses in Film Production, Videography and Video Editing:

MA in Film and Television – Research and Production	Master of Fine Arts in Film Creative Producing	Master of Production Design for Screen
MA Film, Television and Screen Industries	MA Film, Television and Moving Image	IMACS: International Master in Audiovisual and Cinema Studies (MLitt)

Search for Career Opportunities

Aspiring video editors mostly explore different professional job opportunities like Film editor, TV Studio Editor, Animator, Colorist, and much more to establish their careers in the film or advertising industry. But the scope is wider in this field, and here are some of the lucrative job profiles you can avail in video editing and production:

• Multimedia Editor
• Special Effects Editor 
• Graphic Designer 
• Animator 
• Colorist
• Videographer 
• Director of Photography

Top Institutes in India for Video Editing and Filming

• Whistling Woods International (WWI), Mumbai
• Zee Institute of Media Arts
• Zee Institute of Creative Arts
• Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) Kolkata
• National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmadabad
• Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema and Entertainment (RSACE), Mumbai

Video Editor Salary

If you’re thinking about becoming a video editor, one of the first questions you might have is, “How much does a video editor make?” Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer. The typical annual compensation for video editors was $67,000 in 2020, however, it varies widely based on the production, your degree of expertise, and whether you work in-house or freelance. Freelancers often charge higher video editing rates and earn more per day than in-house editors, but they don’t always have a consistent stream of work coming in.

Life of a Video Editor

Hopefully, this blog helped you gather more information with respect to becoming a video editor. Aiming to pursue higher studies in the best universities in the world? Our Leverage Edu experts are here to help you find the best course and university as per your interests and preferences. Sign up for a free session at 1800 57 2000 with us today!