Video editor profession and the 5 skills to be one

What does a video editor do?

First of all, it is necessary to understand that the video editor is responsible for capturing images captured by a videomaker (who in many cases is also an editor), make the cuts to separate what will be used and what will not, join the images according to a previously prepared script and then add elements to make everything more dynamic.

In many cases, the video editor is also the one who captures the images., writes the script and delivers the final product, however, this function specifically focuses on editing already prepared materials.

What training does a video editor require?

It is not necessary to have a specific degree to work as a video editor. However, some options include taking higher education courses in the area of communication, design, audiovisual production and others related.

It is worth remembering that it is always important to supplement your education with free courses and classes from renowned professionals to stay up to date with new tools and trends in the market.

Knowledge of digital marketing is also an important differentiator, after all, communications professionals, in general, work a lot with online media.

How much does a video editor earn?

According to the Vagas website, a video editor has an average salary of R$2,125.00. However, this salary varies according to the type of work, the client, the size of the project, how many projects are carried out per month, whether there is a partnership with other professionals and other so many variables of work.

Freelancer or permanent employee?

One of the important variables to consider when becoming a video editor is the format of work that will be adopted. An editor can be either freelancer as permanent employee of a certain company, having a signed employment contract.

Freelance professionals have the advantage of being able to work for different clients while managing their own time, tools and the amount they will charge.

To do this, it is essential to have a planning on earnings, about your schedule, knowing how to manage different clients and having flexibility for a working life without a fixed routine.

On the other hand, a permanent job with a formal contract provides greater security, without many possibilities for greater earnings, unless the company has a career growth project.

The advantage is that there is no need to worry about bureaucratic matters, which are the responsibility of the human resources department or personnel department.

Areas of activity of the video editor

THE Video editor has a very broad scope of action: can work in the following areas:

Film production company
TV Stations
Youtube Channels
Digital influencers
Artists
Singers
Internal company communication
Company marketing department
Advertising agencies
Communications consultancies
One-off or fixed projects

This comprehensive execution enables the professional to create a differentiated portfolio, in addition to exploring their knowledge in different approaches, for different audiences.

5 Skills You Need to Become a Video Editor

To work this way, it is important to develop specific and focused characteristics, which will be very interesting when it comes to capturing the attention of a recruiter or a potential client.

The following skills can be exclusively geared towards video production or other areas of the profession.

I like to tell stories

How many times have you found yourself watching a video and were anxious to know what was going to happen at the end of the story?

People who know how to tell stories have something very valuable in their hands: the viewer's attention.

Generating curiosity, audience, making someone watch the video from one scene to the next, moving, impacting…These are attributes of storytelling, a really cool concept for video editors and people in the communications field in general.

Understand photography

Even though the profession of video editor does not require capturing the image, know how to use the best angle at the time of editing it is relevant to the final result of a project.

It is a collaborative effort. For everything to go smoothly, the video editor needs to work together with the person responsible for capturing the images.

It is essential to know the types of angles and image composition rules.

Know the image and video editing programs

It is worth emphasizing that the video editor will deal with editing programs at all times – as obvious as that may be.

More and more practical editors are launched on the market with some regularity, which do a lot on their own and make life easier for editors. However, certain details in images require greater care, so it is important to know which programs are most useful for each purpose.

Stay up to date on trends

The communications industry is constantly updating itself, which means that all sub-areas of the business need to modernize at the same frequency.

This means that it is the editor's responsibility to follow the news, watch lots of videos, acquire repertoire through films, books, newspapers, magazines, and consume as much information as possible, always taking into account the target audience of the video that will be produced.

Strategic look at images

The delicacy of recognizing impactful, beautiful, exciting scenes that will give match with the identity that the video needs to have is what differentiates excellent videos of not so good videos.

And that is why the professional video editor needs to study semiotics, the messages that an image conveys, and how these messages can be conveyed.

What does it take to be a successful video editor?

Currently, the profession of video editor is on the rise. Thousands of people from different segments are looking for good professionals to edit their videos.

A good professional can choose their work and, if they wish, be a freelancer or work permanently for a company, since demand allows for this peace of mind.

However, to stand out in the market and be a successful video editor required for good projects, check out some tips we have put together to present to you.

#Never stop seeking knowledge

Trends and methods will always change, and new technologies will emerge that can make your work even easier.

Therefore, it is important to always learn to be a complete and capable professional. This will certainly make you stand out from the rest.

Video editing programs are always changing and innovating, so you should always stay up to date and never stop studying.

#Qualify in the best editing programs

Don't limit yourself, as this can lead to stagnation. There are different editing software programs on the market, so allow yourself to learn and qualify in more than one.

Successful video editors use the following editing programs:

Adobe Premiere;
Final Cut;
Sony Vegas.

#Expand your skills

You can be a great video editor, but you can increase your skills and offer more to clients and thus increase your chances of earning more, standing out, getting more jobs, etc.

For example, you can make vignettes, motion graphics, 3D animations and be a videomaker at the same time, and do very well in each of these skills.

Additionally, you can be a video editor and good at design or copywriting and add more value to your work.

What is the name of the profession of video editor?

The person who edits videos is professionally called video editor, the profession is known as video editing.

The professional is responsible for editing, assembling and finalizing different video materials, not just the image, but the subtitles, audio, signs, vignettes, music, script, among other components of a video.

These materials can be, for example:

Video classes;
Commercial;
Interviews;
Testimonials;
Audiovisual materials.

What is the best college for video editing?

To become a successful video editor, You don't necessarily need to have an academic background.

However, in addition to talent and experience, having a degree from a good college can also help you get better opportunities.

Therefore, the best college course for those who want to work with video editing is:

Radio and TV;
Medialogy;
Communication;
Cinema;
Audiovisual Production.

In these courses you will learn how to do many activities in an audiovisual production, mainly how to edit videos.

However, this will not be enough, the ideal is that you look for technical courses in the area.

You can find free or affordable courses focused on video editing at Udemy, or SEBRAE, for example.

A tip to find out what is the best college for video editing is to look for educational institutions in your city that offer a related course.

Then, look for student reviews or opinions from video editors who have studied there.

Is it worth being a video editor?

Yes. In addition to being an area with good demand, it also offers good salaries.

On social media, it has already been proven that the public absorbs video content better, which explains the success of Tik Tok and the update of Instagram, where video delivery is greater.

This ended up making the video editor profession even more sought after and valued. Therefore, being a video editor is very worthwhile for different reasons:

Attractive remuneration;
High demand;
Freedom to choose to be a freelancer or be hired under CLT;
Being able to choose to work with different materials;
Always be acquiring knowledge.

How to start working with video editing?

If you are good at edit videos and already has the “paranauês”, that is, already knows the main tools, programs, techniques and trends, The first step to starting to work with video editing is to put together a portfolio.

One good portfolio can be your gateway into the job market. This tool will serve as a business card, especially for those who want to work as freelancers.

If you don't yet have the material to put together a portfolio, start creating it!

You can create projects for fictitious clients, offer your services at a lower price to friends, family or local businesses.

To give your portfolio a more professional look, share it on platforms like Behance and Vimeo.

Combine your natural talent with practical and theoretical knowledge. Find people to inspire you and also follow the world of video editing.

If you plan to work under a CLT regime, in addition to a portfolio, you may need a diploma or certificate.

Therefore, take a technical or professional course. Once you are stable, get your college degree.

In the video editing profession, to be successful you need to have more than the five skills mentioned above.

Of course, it is important to be familiar with the main video editing tools, be creative, have knowledge of audio, scriptwriting, image processing, etc.

In fact, some technical skills will only become solid over time. The important thing is to learn, practice and never stop acquiring knowledge.

Check out a summary of how to become a video editor below:

Diversify your portfolio

Invest in your career by taking courses

Create a social media profile to promote your work

Networking

Use LinkedIn to promote, network, and seek opportunities

Follow profiles in the area

Know how to price your work

Did you like this content about the video editor profession?

Take the opportunity to read too Trending Professions 2021: 10 professions to keep an eye on this year and learn about other professions that are on the rise.

Nathalia Silva September 20, 2022

Career