Video editing is a set of techniques used to create a report, a film, a documentary, etc. The video editor must select sequences and assemble them into a coherent sequence to avoid false connections, for example. This profession combines creativity, technical knowledge, and artistic expression. In this article, you’ll discover how to learn video editing. Enjoy!
To study
To become a video editing ace, it is possible to follow a training course in school.
To do this, several possibilities are available to you, you can follow:
- A BTS in audiovisual professions with an option in editing and post-production professions, an option in image professions, an option in technical engineering and equipment operation, an option in sound professions or an option in production management
- A higher professional training certificate in video editing or editing for cinema and audiovisual
- A DESRA, in other words, a higher education course in production with an editing option
- Audiovisual film editor training
- A BTS in photography
- A Bachelor’s or a Degree in editing or directing
- A Master’s degree in cinema and audiovisual at university
- A film school course where training in video editing is provided
Varied training courses ranging from bac+2 (BTS level) to bac+5 (Master’s level).
Many schools offer such training:
ESRA (Ecole Supérieure de Réalisation Audiovisuelle) offers training in the fields of film, sound, audiovisual, and animation. The group awards state-certified three-year post-secondary degrees at its Paris and Nice campuses, and a five-year post-secondary degree at its Paris campus, the DHEC (Department of Advanced Cinematographic Studies).
The 3iS school prepares students for careers in audiovisual and cinema. Present in Paris, Nantes, Lyon, and Bordeaux, this school is accessible after a baccalaureate (or equivalent). You can find a bac +3 “Cinema and Audiovisual” course there with a specialization in “Editing” leading to a higher education diploma in image and sound techniques (state-approved diploma) for its Paris campus. For these other campuses, the required diploma is an RNCP level 6 title “Editor, special effects artist, colorist”
The EMC (Ecole Supérieure des Métiers de l’Image, du Son et de la création 2D-3D) offers work-study training in image, editing, production management, direction, sound for images, studio sound, motion design, etc. This school, located in the Paris region, awards state diplomas (BTS) and professional qualifications (RNCP qualifications), all recognized by the State.
FEMIS, also known as the National School of Image and Sound, is a public institution providing technical and artistic training to future professionals in the film and audiovisual industries. Located in Paris, this school offers a variety of programs and varying lengths (from 1 to 4 years) .
There are many other schools throughout France. To name a few, there are ENSLL, M2I formation, Ecole Française, Ynov, MJM Design, etc.
Self-taught training
Although it requires real technical skills, video editing can also be learned on your own.
To train yourself, however, it is advisable to be patient, persistent, and passionate. On your own, you will also have to watch many hours of YouTube videos or online training courses, read articles, books, and content on social media, while regularly using video editing software to complete personal projects.
Self-study is more difficult than formal training because, on the one hand, you’re on your own and need to find the right resources to educate yourself. On the other hand, you’ll need to motivate yourself day after day to succeed.
This option is also more difficult to break into the video editing profession because you don’t have a state diploma. However, today’s technologies and software evolve rapidly, requiring regular training even after obtaining a diploma. Your self-taught ability and your constant monitoring reflexes will therefore be appreciated by recruiters.
What software should you master?
Whether you choose to study in a school or on your own, you will need to use the most popular editing software.
The editing software available on the market is more or less intuitive, here is a selection of some professional software:
- Adobe Premiere Pro: This is a benchmark on the market. It’s highly likely that you’ll encounter it during your career as a video editor. With Adobe Premiere Pro, you can edit, color grade, improve the sound of your videos, and much more. It’s rather difficult to get to grips with, especially if you’re tackling it alone, but with practice, you’ll be able to master it.
- Final Cut Pro X: This editing software is published by Apple. It offers you a wide range of solutions for post-production: video editing, 4K HDR support, 360° animations, advanced color adjustment tools, etc. Professional software that requires several hours of practice before you become proficient.
- After Effects: Published by Adobe Systems, this video editing software will allow you to create titles and introductions, make cinematic transitions, animate a logo, a character, etc. Once again, this software requires some time to be used before you are fully proficient.
- DaVinci Resolve: Software designed for professionals, it offers an interface containing many options that you will have to learn to master because it is not modular. This software allows you to do editing, color grading and compositing. It is a very complete tool, especially when it comes to color grading. Before you can master it perfectly, you will need patience and practice, but the game is worth the effort.
Ideally, you should train yourself as much as possible on one software program to master it perfectly. Once this step is completed, you can move on to another software if you wish. This will also allow you to see which one suits you best and also give you a broader range of skills to sell yourself to future employers.
What are the required qualities?
To sell yourself well, you will also need to know and have the qualities required to be a video editor, here is a non-exhaustive list:
- Analytical mind
- Artistic sense
- Organizational skills
- Concentration
- Rigor
- Listening skills
- Sense of diplomacy
- Meticulousness
- Visual memory capacity
- Mastery of technical skills in video editing
Are you aspiring to become a video editor? Several options are available to you: working for an advertiser like TF1 or other advertisers (small, medium, or large companies), or in an audiovisual or motion agency like Mars Vidéos, for example. You can also become a freelancer and work for several advertisers or as a subcontractor for one or more agencies.
