Video Editing: What Is It and How Does It Work?

by kim Updated: June 20, 2022

The world of video editing can be a bit confusing for those just getting started, so I’ll try to break it down for you. I’ll also show you some of the most common tasks Video Editors perform on a daily basis. 

Video editing is the process of manipulating and rearranging video shots to create a new work. It can be as simple as cutting out a single scene, or as complex as creating an animated series. 

As a Video Editor, you are in charge of creating the best version of a video. This means you’ll need to edit out any mistakes or unwanted content, as well as add in any additional scenes or elements to make the video as entertaining and engaging as possible. 

You’ll need to know what to look for in each scene, how to best tell the story, and how to keep the audience engaged. So let’s dive into the world of Video Editing and see what it’s all about.

What is Video Editing?

The Basics

Video editing is the process of manipulating and rearranging video shots to create a new work. It’s all about taking the footage you’ve got and making it into something special. Editing involves rearranging, adding and/or removing sections of video clips and/or audio clips, applying colour correction, filters and other enhancements, and creating transitions between clips.

The Goals

When it comes to editing, there are a few key goals to keep in mind:

• Removing unwanted footage
• Choosing the best footage
• Creating a flow
• Adding effects, graphics, music, etc.
• Altering the style, pace or mood of the video
• Giving the video a particular “angle”

These goals are all about making sure the video serves its purpose, whether that’s telling a story, providing information, or imparting a message. With the right editing, you can make sure your video stands out and achieves its goal.

What Does a Video Editor Do? (In a Fun Way!)

Selecting, Cutting, and Assembling

Video Editors are the magicians behind the scenes who take raw footage and turn it into something magical! They select, cut, and assemble the footage to create video content that production studios, broadcasting companies, newsrooms, and others can be proud of.

Using Computer Software Applications

Video Editors use computer software applications to edit digital footage. They also work with sound and graphics to make sure the final product looks and sounds great.

Collaborating with the Director or Producer

Video Editors work closely with the director or producer to make sure the final product matches their vision. They create promotional videos, educational and training videos, and presentations for clients.

Meeting Tight Deadlines

Video projects often have tight deadlines, so Video Editors must be able to work quickly and efficiently to meet those deadlines.

The Real Magic Behind the Scenes

Video Editors are the real magicians behind the scenes! They take raw footage and turn it into something amazing. They use computer software applications to edit digital footage and work with sound and graphics. Plus, they collaborate with the director or producer to make sure the final product matches their vision. And they do all of this while meeting tight deadlines!

How Can I Become a Professional Video Editor?

Education

No formal education is required to become a professional video editor, but if you want to be the best of the best, you’ll need to get your degree in film production, video production, mass communications, multimedia arts, or something similar. These courses will give you the opportunity to get hands-on experience with editing equipment and software used in the industry.

Internships

If you want to get a head start in the video editing world, interning at a marketing company, advertising agency, or media firm is a great way to get some real-world experience. You’ll get to learn on the job and get a feel for the industry.

Online Classes

If you’re more of a self-taught type, there are plenty of online classes available to help you get up to speed. You can learn everything you need to know about video editing without ever leaving your house.

Get Hired

Once you’ve got the skills, it’s time to get hired. Start out by getting an entry-level position in the industry you want to work in. Once you’ve proven yourself as a valuable video editor, you can start freelancing and networking with different companies to find your own clients.

Where Can a Video Editor Get a Job?

Production Studios and Media Companies

• Video Editors are like the glue that holds a production team together – without them, the film would just be a bunch of random clips!
• They have the important job of piecing together all the footage to create a finished product that’s ready for the big screen.
• So if you’re looking for a job in the film industry, this is the one for you!

Companies

• Companies are always looking for Video Editors to help create presentations or viral internet content that shows off their company and its culture.
• It’s a great way to get creative and show off your skills!

Local Television Stations

• Local television stations need Video Editors to produce news stories and highlight sporting events.
• It’s a great way to stay up-to-date with the latest happenings in the area and get your work seen by a wide audience.

Advertising and Marketing Agencies

• Advertising and marketing agencies need Video Editors to complete the final stages of their ad campaigns and commercial marketing projects.
• It’s a great way to get your work seen by a lot of people and make a big impact on the success of the project.

Editing: A Fun Guide

Linear Video Editing

When you want to make a movie, but don’t have the budget for a Hollywood studio, linear video editing is your best friend. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle – you take all your clips and pieces, and put them together in the order you want. It’s super simple and doesn’t require any fancy machines.

Non-Linear Editing

Non-linear editing is the way to go when you want to get fancy with your movie-making. You can use programs like Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Avid Media Composer to edit your footage and add special effects. It’s like having your own mini-movie studio right at your fingertips!

Offline Editing

Offline editing is the process of copying your raw footage without affecting the original material. This way, you can make changes to the footage without worrying about messing up the original. It’s like having a safety net for your movie-making!

Online Editing

Online editing is the process of putting all your footage back together in full resolution after you’ve done your offline editing. It’s the final step in the movie-making process, and it’s like putting the cherry on top of your masterpiece.

Cloud-Based Editing

If you’re in a time crunch, cloud-based editing is the way to go. You can use the internet to work with your footage remotely, and even edit live sports events in real-time. It’s like having a mini-movie studio in the cloud!

Vision Mixing

Vision mixing is the perfect tool for live television and video production. You can use a vision mixer to cut live feeds from multiple cameras in real time. It’s like having your own personal director in the studio!

Editing Videos: A Visual Art

The Early Days

• Back in the 1950s, video tape recorders (VTRs) were so expensive, and the quality was so bad, that editing was done by:

– Visualizing the recorded track with ferrofluid
– Cutting it with a razor blade or guillotine cutter
– Splicing with video tape

• To join the two pieces of tape, they were painted with a solution of iron filings suspended in carbon tetrachloride (yikes!)
• This made the magnetic tracks visible so they could be aligned in a splicer

The Modern Age

• Thanks to improvements in quality and economy, and the invention of the flying erase-head, new video and audio material could be recorded over existing material
• This was introduced into linear editing technique
• Later, U-matic and beta equipment were used, and more complex controllers were invented
• Nowadays, content is ingested and recorded natively with the appropriate codec, and high-definition video is becoming more popular
• Video clips are arranged on a timeline, music tracks, titles, digital on-screen graphics are added, special effects are created, and the finished program is “rendered” into a finished video
• The video can then be distributed in a variety of ways, including DVD, web streaming, QuickTime Movies, iPod, CD-ROM, or video tape

Editing Videos in the Comfort of Your Home

The Cost of Video Editing

Gone are the days when editing videos was an expensive affair! Back in the day, the 2″ Quadruplex system was so pricey that only the rich and famous could afford it. But now, even the most basic computers come with the power and storage to edit SDTV.

Editing Software

If you’re looking to get your hands dirty with some video editing, you’ve got plenty of options. Apple’s iMovie and Microsoft’s Windows Movie Maker are great for starters. But if you’re looking for something more advanced, there are commercial products available. Plus, there are open-source video-editing programs too!

Automatic Video Editing

For those who don’t have the time to edit videos, there are automatic video editing products available. Companies like Google Photos and Vidify make it easy for amateurs to edit videos in no time. So go ahead and get creative!

Editing for Fun and Profit

Virtual Reality

• Editing spherical video for virtual reality is the way to go if you want to check your edits in real-time without having to keep putting on a headset.
• It’s like having your own personal movie theatre in your living room!

Social Media

• If you’re looking to make a splash on YouTube or other social media sites, video editing is the way to go.
• Teachers can use it to help their students remember stuff and make learning fun outside the classroom.
• Plus, you can make some serious cash if you get enough views.

Differences

Video Editing Vs Video Production

Video editing and video production are two different processes. Video editing is the process of taking raw footage and turning it into a finished product. This involves cutting, trimming, and rearranging clips, adding effects, and creating transitions. Video production, on the other hand, is the process of creating a video from start to finish. This includes writing a script, shooting the footage, and then editing it. The best video editing software includes Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Avid Media Composer. The best video production software includes Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Adobe Creative Cloud. Both processes require a lot of time and effort to create a great video, but the results are worth it!

Also read: this is the best video editing software we’ve found and tested

Video Editing Vs Graphic Design

Graphic design and video editing are two sides of the same coin. A graphic designer creates stunning visuals, while a video editor brings them to life. Both are essential for creating a successful marketing video. Graphic designers are responsible for creating captivating logos, typography, symbols, and colors, while video editors use these elements to tell a story.

Video editing and graphic design go hand in hand. Graphic designers have to prepare images according to the video’s technical requirements, while video editors have to make sure the visuals are in line with the story. Together, they create a powerful marketing video that stands out from the competition. So, don’t separate video editing and graphic design – they’re better together!

Conclusion

Video editing is an essential part of the post-production process, and it’s a great way to create unique and engaging content. With the right tools and techniques, you can create stunning visuals and captivating stories. So, don’t be afraid to take the plunge and get creative with your video editing! Just remember to have fun, use your imagination, and don’t forget the all-important editing rule: KEEP IT SHORT AND SWEET! And, if you ever get stuck, just remember: “If at first you don’t succeed, EDIT, EDIT AGAIN!”

Also read: these are the best video makers for top motion and claymation

Hi, I'm Kim, a mom and a stop-motion enthusiast with a background in media creation and web development. I've got a huge passion for drawing and animation, and now I'm diving headfirst into the stop-motion world. With my blog, I'm sharing my learnings with you guys.