Video editing is the process of manipulating and rearranging video shots to create a finished product. It involves skills like understanding storytelling, having creative vision, and technical abilities with video editing software. In today’s digital world, video content is highly in demand, making video editing an increasingly valuable skillset. But is it actually a viable long-term career option? Here we’ll examine the pros and cons of being a professional video editor.
The pros of a video editing career
There are many advantages that come with working as a video editor:
1. Strong job demand and growth
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11% growth for film and video editors between 2020 and 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. This steady job growth is fueled by the increasing need for video content across many platforms like social media, websites, television, and more. There is also a lot of work editing videos for YouTube creators, businesses, advertisers, and media organizations. The high demand for professional editing skills means job security and abundant work opportunities for those in the field.
2. Variety of potential employers
Some of the places video editors can find employment include:
- TV broadcast stations
- Video production companies
- Motion picture studios
- Advertising or corporate in-house production teams
- Self-employment as a freelance editor
This list demonstrates the wide range of video editing jobs across corporate, entertainment, advertising, broadcast, and online media industries. Editors can choose to specialize or remain generalists throughout their careers.
3. Creative and collaborative work environment
Most video editors work closely with producers, videographers, graphic artists, and clients on a daily basis. The job involves a lot of creativity and collaboration to turn raw footage into compelling stories. Editors get to flex their creative muscles while working with teams to bring all the elements together. If you enjoy the creative process and building camaraderie with coworkers, video editing delivers on that. The variety of projects also keeps the work dynamic and fast-paced.
4. Lucrative salaries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for film and video editors in the U.S. was over $65,000 per year as of 2020. The highest 10% of earners made more than $124,000 annually. These salaries demonstrate that experienced video editors can earn very competitive wages, especially in fields like advertising or motion pictures. The earning potential reflects the specialized skills and time commitment required to be a professional editor.
5. Ability to work remotely
A major advantage of video editing is the ability to work from home or remotely if desired. Editing software and video files can be accessed and shared from anywhere with an internet connection. This flexibility appeals to editors who don’t want to commute or relocate for job opportunities. Remote work also became more prominent across all fields during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being a location-independent job can improve one’s quality of life and work-life balance.
The cons of a video editing career
Despite the many upsides, there are also some potential downsides when it comes to being a video editor:
1. Intensive education and training required
It takes significant time and dedication to learn the video editing skills and techniques required at a professional level. Aspiring editors usually get a bachelor’s degree in film, broadcasting, communications, or a related field. On top of that, they must take video editing courses and get trained on industry-standard software like Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Avid Media Composer.
Landing an entry-level editing job still requires mastery of the tools of the trade. The learning curve is steep, and editors must stay on top of new advancements over the course of their careers. Without passion and commitment to the craft, the education path can be arduous.
2. Freelancing brings inconsistent work and pay
For video editors who work freelance, one downside is unpredictable flow of projects and income. During certain months they may have more work than they can handle, while other times months can go by with fewer clients. This irregularity in demand makes consistent pay difficult. Freelancers also have to spend time on non-editing tasks like networking, promoting services, invoicing, etc. So inconsistency is a tradeoff for the flexibility of freelancing.
3. Tight project deadlines and schedules
Many video editing jobs come with tight turnarounds and deadlines. For productions on a timeline, editors may have to work extensive hours to finish projects on schedule. This can involve long days, late nights, or even weeks with overtime. Meeting inflexible deadlines causes stress and burnout over time. Editors have to work well under pressure, often forcing their creativity on a rushed schedule.
4. Lots of competition for openings
Competition is fierce for full-time in-house editing jobs at desirable companies. Early career editors may struggle landing a staff position due to the many experienced editors competing for openings. Boston University reports only 3 in 10 students graduating with a film or video production degree ultimately find work related to their major. Patience and perseverance are vital when first trying to get hired after college.
5. Risk of jobs being outsourced
Advances in remote collaboration technology combined with lower labor costs overseas has led to many editing jobs being outsourced to countries like China and India. U.S. media companies can save significantly on costs by offshoring editing work. While this trend has stabilized, the threat of outsourcing still remains which adds uncertainty to job security. Positions that handle sensitive content or intellectual property are less likely to be outsourced.
Skills needed to succeed as a video editor
Here are some of the vital skills and abilities needed to thrive as a video editor:
Technical skills
- Expertise using video editing software like Premiere Pro, After Effects, Avid, Final Cut Pro, etc.
- Understanding video codecs, formats, frame rates, resolutions, etc.
- Digitizing and ingesting footage from cameras and other sources
- Ability to use tools like waveform monitors and vectorscopes
- Audio mixing and sound design techniques
- Color grading and correction processes
- Outputting video for different platforms and formats
Creative skills
- Strong storytelling sensibilities and narrative building skills
- Understanding pacing, timing, transitions, and continuity
- Deciding on effective sequences and shot arrangements
- Collaborating with producers, directors, and colleagues
- Adapting edits based on feedback and criticism
- Succeeding under pressure and tight deadlines
Business skills
- Managing video editing budgets and billing for freelance projects
- Communicating professionally with clients and colleagues
- Organizing files, media, and projects systematically
- Having expertise in specific industries like advertising, corporate, film, etc.
- Understanding editing roles in pre-production, production, and post-production
By developing this diverse range of technical, creative, and business skills, video editors can deliver successful projects and thrive in their careers.
Education and training options for video editors
For those considering a career in video editing, here are some of the degree programs and training options available:
Bachelor’s degrees
- BA/BS in Film Production or Editing
- BA/BS in Media Production, Broadcasting, or Journalism
- BA/BS in Graphic Design, Animation, or Digital Media
Common courses in these programs are video editing, audio production, media design, storytelling, and hands-on production work. Students build technical skills and a portfolio.
Associate degrees and certificates
- AA/AS degrees in Video Production or Multimedia Technology
- Certificates in Video Editing or Post-Production
These shorter programs teach fundamentals of shooting and editing video. They take less time and cost than bachelor’s degrees.
Editing software training
- Manufacturer certification (ex. Avid Certified User, Adobe Certified Professional)
- Workshops and online courses focused on specific editing programs
- YouTube tutorials from experts and instructors
Self-study using editing software manuals and online training videos is also an option. Hands-on learning helps master the tools.
Assistant editing experience
- Internships or entry-level assistant editor positions
- Assisting professional editors on real productions
Working under video editing professionals provides invaluable training for beginners.
Conclusion
Although a career in video editing requires extensive education and training, it offers strong job prospects, creative fulfillment, lucrative pay, and the flexibility to work remotely. With technical skills constantly advancing, it does require keeping up with new software and best practices. Overall, video editing delivers a good balance of stability, creativity, and income for those willing to put in the hard work honing their craft. It provides the opportunity to tell impactful stories through the ever-evolving medium of video.