Whether you're a solopreneur who wants to make their own video content for digital marketing, or you want to start a YouTube channel, video editing is what pulls it all together. If you're wondering how to learn professional video editing, don't stress. Know that it will take some time and patience, but you can get there. These three tips will have you cutting footage like a pro.
1) Pick a standard NLE Software
If you want to edit your videos, you'll need to pick an industry-standard NLE Software. NLE stands for non-linear editing. Non-linear editing is an editing process that allows the editor to make changes to a video or audio project without regard to the linear timeline. Essentially, NLE is video editing on a computer. Linear Editing is the old-school way of editing physical film by cutting and taping the film strips together. It's important to choose one of the three standard NLE softwares for two reasons. One, there will be more resources to learn from; and two, you won't waste your time learning a software that no one else uses. We talk about the three best video editing software brands in this article and offer the pros and cons of each.
2) Watch a lot of videos
Learning to edit requires more than just practicing the software. You need to hone your eye and develop your taste. You should be watching a lot of "how to edit" videos on YouTube because that will help you with the skills. But you should also watch a lot of movies to help you understand the craft. Watch the movies as an editor, not just a viewer, and look for the differences in how the shots flow together. Do they cut the camera before, during, or after a line of dialog? Does sounds from the next scene start during this scene? Editing is much more than just pushing the right buttons - it’s a storytelling art. Overtime, you will become more thoughtfully critical and be able to see small details that really stand out to you, but are invisible to the untrained eye.
3) Learn from a professional
While you can teach yourself editing, it involves a lot of motivation, discipline, and an ability to trouble shoot. Which all adds up to a lot of time. Some may learn more efficiently from an industry expert who already has the practical and applied experiences. A professional editor will know where you're starting from, understand the biggest pain points in the editing learning curve, and can answer your questions in real time. That means no more googling random phrases to figure out what you don't know! Angela Wolf Video offers 1:1 Video Consulting for this exact reason. To help you reach your goals with less stress. Each coaching session is 100% tailored to your skill set and needs, and we go through together on how to edit so that you can learn what you want to faster.
Do you have a specific video question? Schedule a free video analysis call at bit.ly/callawv