A video editor is a media professional who uses editing software to assemble recorded footage, visual effects, stock footage, sound effects, and music into a finished product that conveys a story or message. The role involves technical skills and creativity to craft compelling videos in a range of genres for diverse platforms and audiences.
What does a video editor do?
The primary responsibilities of a video editor include:
- Reviewing raw footage and selecting the best shots to use
- Sequencing clips into a logical order to build a story arc or narrative
- Trimming footage segments and arranging cuts to maintain pace, rhythm, and continuity
- Adjusting audio levels, color correction, exposure, lighting, and other enhancements
- Adding transitions between scenes and clips for seamless flow
- Incorporating graphics, text, effects, animations, and other elements
- Ensuring technical quality and resolving any issues with resolution, aspect ratio, frame rate, etc.
- Working closely with clients, directors, producers, and other stakeholders to achieve the desired creative vision
- Exporting the final edited video in appropriate formats for different distribution platforms
Video editors use specialized software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve, and Vegas Pro to perform editing tasks. The editing process involves reviewing raw footages, assembling shots into sequences, finessing cuts and transitions, enhancing visuals, and exporting the finished product.
What skills are required to be a video editor?
Here are some of the key skills and abilities needed for this role:
- Technical expertise – Proficiency with video editing software and handling different video and audio file formats and codecs.
- Attention to detail – Meticulously reviewing footage to pick the best shots and spot any flaws or glitches.
- Creativity – Ability to turn disparate footage into a compelling story through sequencing, transitions, effects, music, tone, and other techniques.
- Time management – Meeting tight production deadlines and managing workload efficiently.
- Communication – Collaborating with clients and production team to understand requirements and incorporate feedback.
- Storytelling – Crafting logical narratives and dramatic arcs through creative editing choices.
- Problem-solving – Troubleshooting technical issues and finding creative solutions to editing challenges.
- Visual sense – An eye for shot composition, color, movement and how editing can enhance visual appeal.
Video editors need to be masters of the editing tools and technical aspects of the craft as well as have the imagination to tell compelling stories through editing. Strong project management and communication skills are also essential in this role.
What is the typical video editor workflow?
While workflows can vary based on the project, here are the typical steps in a video editor’s process:
- Review brief – Discuss requirements with clients and stakeholders and analyze broadcasting needs if relevant.
- Receive footage – Obtain raw footage files from videographers/crew and review completeness.
- Organize media – Import footage, sync sound, add metadata, create bins and organize assets logically.
- Create first assembly – Put together a rough cut sequentially lining up the best clips from the footage.
- Refine edit – Trim clips, rearrange order, set pacing, add transitions, graphics, VFX, color correction etc.
- Add audio – Adjust audio levels, add sound effects, overlay music etc. to heighten the storytelling.
- Share draft – Export preview file to share with stakeholders for review and feedback.
- Implement notes – Make necessary revisions based on feedback from director, client etc.
- Export deliverables – Create final rendered files in required formats and specifications.
- Archive project – Back up all media assets and project files.
This typical post-production workflow allows the editor to incrementally build the video from initial rough cut to final polished deliverable through consultation and revisions. Deadlines, team size, and complexity can influence the editing workflow.
What types of videos do editors work on?
Video editors work on a wide spectrum of video content including:
- Films and television shows
- Commercials and advertisements
- Corporate and promotional videos
- Music videos
- Online social media videos
- Training and educational videos
- Video blogs and influencer content
- Live events and sports broadcasts
- News and documentary programs
- Video game trailers and Let’s Play videos
- Explainer and how-to videos
- Wedding, travel and other personal videos
The genre dictates the editing style, pacing, visual effects, music choices, and overall tone and aesthetics. An experienced editor can work adeptly across different video types and subject matters based on the creative needs of each project.
What are the education requirements to become a video editor?
There are a few educational paths to secure video editor jobs:
- Bachelor’s degree – Majoring in film, video production, media arts etc. provides a foundation in editing theory and hands-on experience.
- Vocational training – Short certification programs at vocational or technical schools can teach editing software and techniques.
- Associate degree – A 2-year degree covers both technical skills and broader media aesthetics and storytelling.
- On-the-job training – Learning the ropes under the guidance of experienced editors at a media company.
- Self-study – Teaching yourself editing via online tutorials, courses and practicing independently.
While a university media production degree is preferred for advanced roles, editors can break into the field through vocational qualifications and self-study paired with passion for filmmaking and a killer editing reel.
What is the career path for a video editor?
Here is a look at common career progression opportunities for video editors:
- Junior/assistant editor – Entry-level role learning the ropes of an editing team.
- Editor – Works independently editing video projects end-to-end.
- Senior editor – Leads complex projects with more creative input and stakes.
- Post-production supervisor – Oversees all editors and post-production workflow.
- Creative director – Sets overall creative vision and style for video content.
- VFX editor – Specializes in editing visual effects sequences.
- Offline editor – Does initial rough cutting before footage sent for final online edit.
- Freelance editor – Works independently on short-term editing contracts.
With experience, editors can take on more responsibility and leadership overseeing entire post-production pipelines. Niche focus areas like visual effects editing also open new opportunities.
What are the benefits of being a video editor?
Some of the advantages and rewards of working as a video editor include:
- Creative expression – Seeing your creative vision come to life editing captivating film and TV scenes.
- Technical challenges – Constantly learning new skills and problem-solving edit issues.
- Visual storytelling – Using editing to make video content engaging and impactful.
- Diverse projects – Get variety editing different genres from comedy to drama.
- Collaboration – Working with writers, directors and producers to bring footage to screen.
- Latest technology – Using cutting-edge editing tools and innovations.
- Recognition – Seeing your name credited on acclaimed films or videos.
- Travel opportunities – Visiting sets or productions to acquire footage.
Video editors get the satisfaction of giving visual life to stories through mastering their editing craft. The role offers constant creativity, learning, and collaboration opportunities in media and entertainment.
What are the challenges of being a video editor?
Some of the common challenges faced by video editors include:
- Tight deadlines – Frantic rush to edit footage quickly for release.
- Long hours – Work can extend into nights and weekends nearing deadlines.
- Eyestrain – Constantly staring at screens to comb through footage.
- Sedentary job – Sitting for prolonged periods can affect health.
- Metrics pressure – Higher ups emphasize vanity metrics like view counts.
- Temporary gigs – Moving from project to project as a freelancer.
- Troubleshooting issues – Technical headaches like corrupted files or missing assets.
- Stress – High pressure environment with millions at stake.
The excitement of movie magic comes with real challenges like tight turnarounds, long hours and technical frustrations. Editors need passion and dedication to thrive under pressure in entertainment.
How much do video editors earn?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for video editors in 2021 was $65,300. The lowest 10% earned less than $32,500 while the highest 10% earned more than $118,020.
Editors who are just starting out or working on small, low-budget productions may earn $30,000-$45,000 a year. At major studios and networks, experienced editors can command $75,000-$100,000 for high profile projects.
The pay scale accounts for factors like:
- Location – Major entertainment hubs pay more
- Experience level
- Reputation and credits
- Type of productions – big budget films pay top rates
Video editors working as freelancers also factor in the boom and bust cycle of contracting gigs in their earning potential.
What is the job outlook for video editors?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of video editors is projected to grow 18 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. Several factors are driving demand:
- Rising online video content across streaming, social media and other platforms requires skilled editing.
- Corporate video production continues to grow as businesses adopt video marketing.
- Improved technology makes editing more accessible to produce high volumes of video.
- The entertainment industry continues investing heavily in high quality episodic shows and films.
The proliferation of video across digital platforms is fueling greater employment of qualified video editors. Editors with cutting edge skills using the latest software have the best job prospects entering the field.
How can you start a career as a video editor?
Here are some tips to break into a video editing career:
- Get trained through film school, vocational courses or online tutorials on leading editing software like Premiere and Avid.
- Create your editing reel showcasing your best work on student, volunteer or personal projects.
- Look for entry level roles like assistant editor or junior editor to get real world experience.
- Consider freelancing or interning to make connections and bolster your resume.
- Network and reach out to studios, production houses and video firms about job openings.
- Keep your skills sharp through continuous learning and experimentation as the tools evolve.
- Focus on developing your unique editing style, creativity and problem solving skills.
The path to becoming a professional editor requires mastering your craft through hands-on editing experience, networking and continuously improving your skills and reel.
What is the lifestyle of a video editor like?
Here are some insights into the typical lifestyle and work style of a video editor:
- Work is mostly office-based, in edit suites staring at computer screens.
- Long sedentary hours can impact health without proper breaks.
- Ability to work from home when editing smaller digital projects.
- Collaborative brainstorming during development and feedback stages.
- Occasional travel to sets or locations required at production companies.
- Tight project deadlines lead to extended hours and weekend work.
- Freelancing offers flexibility but unpredictable income stream.
- Need to be adaptable and thrive in high pressure “crunch mode”.
- Opportunities to build relationships across creative teams.
- Leading a healthy lifestyle is key to counteract sedentary aspects.
The video editor lifestyle can be stimulating but demanding, requiring both intense focus and collaboration with others. Maintaining work-life balance while delivering exceptional results under pressure is key.
Conclusion
A video editor plays the crucial role of slicing together raw footage to create seamless visual stories through their technical skills and creative vision. The job requires great attention to detail, storytelling ability, technical proficiency and the flexibility to thrive under the pressure of tight deadlines. With the growing demand for video content across all platforms, skilled editors have many exciting career opportunities in media and entertainment. While challenging, editing offers big creative rewards in shaping engaging film, TV, commercials, and digital content.