What Is Video Editing?

Video editing is the process of telling a story by cutting, arranging, and organizing digital footage to create compelling video content. By combining various elements, such as sound, raw footage, and dialogue, a video editor can successfully create content that aligns with a director, producer, or company’s vision.

Video editing takes many different forms, from creative projects to video marketing. Learn about these facets of the profession and discover the tools and skills necessary to start in the field.

What is the purpose of video editing? 

Editors work on long-form content like films and television and short-form content like marketing videos, client presentations, and social media posts. By assembling media pieces, editors influence audiences and public opinions through art, design, precision, and communication.

Types of video editing

Many industries utilize video editors, often choosing a specific style to create content for that industry. A few types of video editing to know include:

Film video editing

In the film industry, a video editor uses scenes, takes, and shots to create a cohesive story for the screen. Editors use continuity editing, cutaways, and transitions to evoke certain emotions from the viewer and properly execute an entertaining plot. Video editors for film cut a scene from different angles, which directs the viewer to certain details in a story.

Television video editing

Like film editors, television editors work to piece together video footage to create entertainment for the screen. These editors work for shorter forms of media, including television shows, broadcasts, or sports highlights. Television editors must be able to creatively piece together raw video clips while still following the director's instructions to create a cohesive piece of media.

Broadcast video editing

Broadcast editing involves creating content from narration tracks, soundbites, B-roll footage, and more for broadcast news and media. This can include live editing, which requires the editor to switch between multiple cameras during an ongoing event to direct the viewer to the action. 

Social media video editing

Social media video editors edit content for companies and organizations to promote a product or service. They often create shorter videos with a vertical composition to create content for a phone or tablet. 

Commercial video editing

Brands use multimedia content to promote their products to the public, making video editing an effective tool for keeping an audience’s attention. Commercial editors are highly client-focused and cater to the brand’s target audience by employing sound effects, music, and editing techniques for the project.

Who uses video editing?

Videographers, marketing and advertising agencies, content creators, television companies, and filmmakers all use video editing in their crafts to create an engaging product for the viewer. A few examples of careers in editing include:

Broadcast technician 

Broadcast technicians focus on editing and transmitting content from a live broadcast to television programs. These editors assist in maintaining and synchronizing equipment to enhance the quality of live programming. For pre-recorded programs, technicians may take the recorded materials captured and engineer the video and audio aspects to ensure a fluid result. 

Average annual base salary: $61,041 [1]

Assistant video editor

Assistant video editors typically collect all the content needed to edit a media piece. They also assist after the film has been completed to ensure the final cut contains all the necessary elements.

Average annual base salary: $76,044 [2]

Colorist

A film colorist, or color grader, works in film and television to develop a color palette for digital media. These editors use software to adjust the colors of raw footage to create a specific artistic style.

Average annual base salary: $77,026 [3]

How to get started in video editing

Getting started in video editing looks different for everyone. Attending a course, seeking higher education, and experimenting with editing programs are all valid ways to begin learning. Read on to learn more. 

Earn a degree.

While you don’t technically need a formal education to begin your video editing career, obtaining a degree in film editing or digital arts may be beneficial. A bachelor's degree in film or video production can help you understand all facets of production, including editing. These degrees also provide technical knowledge and provide an opportunity to workshop your skills. 

Those who pursue a degree in film typically take courses on screenwriting, film production, digital editing, and videography. These courses may be lecture-heavy or present practical experience through academic and creative projects.

A career in video editing does not require a master's degree. However, obtaining one may result in securing editing jobs with higher pay and more responsibility. 

Learn different programs.

Discovering the programs that make this possible is essential to learning how to edit. Editing software can aid you in creating a visually impactful piece of creative or corporate work. These programs allow users to color-correct, organize, transition, and refine footage creatively. Some of these programs include:

• Adobe Premiere Pro

• Final Cut Pro

• iMovie

• DaVinci Resolve

• Lightworks

• VideoPad

You can determine the editing software that fits your needs by reviewing the specific features that each program offers. Many offer built-in tutorials to assist you.

Build your skills.

Becoming a video editor involves a combination of workplace and technical skills that showcase technical excellence and creativity. A video editing position requires working under strict deadlines and fast turnarounds, meaning that an editor must work swiftly under sometimes stressful situations. Workplace skills for video editors include:

• Organization

• Time management

• Collaboration 

• Creativity

Video editing also includes the use of technical skills such as:

• Video editing software

• PC skills

• Color grading

• Keyboard shortcuts

Many options are available to begin your career in video editing. Practice is key to perfecting your video editing skills. Understanding editing software functions, such as exporting, marking footage, creating bins, and cutting assembly, can help you become proficient in the skill.

Getting started with Coursera 

Video content is pivotal in industries ranging from entertainment to advertising to education. Developing video editing skills can help you create engaging content for personal or professional projects.

Many courses are available online to get you started down the video editing path. On Coursera, you can get certificates in video editing software such as Final Cut Pro. You can also learn more about general video production with the course How to Create Video for Online Courses on Coursera.