What Is The Best Way To Learn Video Editing 

Video editing is a useful and lucrative skill to have. It’s also one that you can pick up without formal education if you have the talent for it and you’re ready to put in the work. There are plenty of resources online that can help you along.

Keep in mind that it takes time and effort to learn the skills and even more to improve them. The key is to stay consistent and practice without getting discouraged when you hit a bump on the road.

Use The Boot Camps

There are plenty of boot camps out there that are made for a quick and intense training process. It’s not an option for everyone since it requires a lot of preexisting knowledge and dedication. If you’ve taken a tutorial before and if you’re not a complete novice, these boot camps can help you improve your skills quickly and intensely.

This is usually a more expensive way to go but there’s also a money-back policy, usually connected with finding a job in editing within a certain timeframe. Take the time to investigate both the camps and this policy before using them.

Online Courses

Online courses are also widely available and come in a lot of different forms and price tiers. These are less intense and take a longer time to complete. They are also made for complete beginners, or at least those with basic computer skills.

Taking the time to research and learn about the courses before you take them is also essentially important. You should especially pay attention to reviews and user experience when making a call on which course to take. Always aim at courses that seem to be a bit difficult and that will push you to learn more.

Explore The Tools

There are countless tools used for video editing, although there are only a few that are commonly used by professionals working in the field. All from remove watermark tools to adding wacky graphics in the video. Sites such as Trulely allow you to learn about these tools and compare them before use. Once you’ve made a shortlist of video editing tools that are mostly positively reviewed, take the time to use them and play around with them a bit.

The best way to learn is to actually use the tools on a day to day basis and to see which one fits with your workflow and your needs in general.

Use The Tutorials

Most video editing tools come with tutorials of their own that are made for absolute beginners. If you’re one of those, there’s no reason not to take advantage of the tutorials and learn from them, at least as much as it’s possible to do so.

Keep in mind that these tutorials are usually there for first-time users, and more advanced tools may require more effort and time. Use the tutorials as the first stepping stone to longer and more in-depth courses you could take later on. The tutorials are parts of the software tool itself, and they are free to use.

Edit Videos On Your Own

Practice is the best way to learn and after you’ve edited a few videos on your own, you’ll notice a clear difference in how you approach the software tools and in the quality of the end product. Try to not wait for the project to come your way – but to work on editing in your free time and even if you’re not getting paid.

Having a portfolio of finished projects can also help you land an editing job even if you haven’t had a paid gig before. It’s still proof you can do the work.

Make Use Of Professional Collaborations

Editing is often collaborative work and having the opportunity to work with other editors and filmmakers, in general, can be a great way to learn on the fly. Don’t hesitate to ask follow-up questions and to look for guidance when you need it and when it’s appropriate.

Experienced editors are often willing to help you along and provide you with useful tips and tricks of the trade. These may end up saving you a lot of time and allow you to make a breakthrough once you’ve reached the limit of what you can learn on your own.

Keeping Track Of Files

Another important part of the editing process is to keep track of the files you’re using and to make sure they are well organized. There’s a famous 321 rule that most editors use to make sure not to lose the files in case something happens. The rule states that you need to keep at least 3 copies of all files, kept in 2 different locations and that one of them needs to be a physically separate copy.

It takes a bit of time to develop a system and to develop a discipline needed to stick to it. It’s another thing a novice editor should learn and master.

Creating A Workflow That Suits You

Video editing requires a workflow that allows you to stay focused for a long time and to take plenty of rest. Many editors take time to figure out and develop what the workflow will be for them. Try out a workflow for a while and change it up if it doesn’t suit you.

Be mindful of how you work and how changes in the workflow affect your productivity and overall product. That way you can change things up when needed and create a work routine.

It’s OK To Make Mistakes

An important part of the learning process is to make mistakes and produce a subpar end product. This shouldn’t discourage you and in fact, it can be a good thing if you learn from it and improve your work based on it.

Learning editing skills takes time even if you’ve taken part in a boot camp. The best way to go about it is to keep practicing and working and the results will show if you’re persistent and willing to accept advice and guidance from those who work in the industry for a while.