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What are the first steps to becoming a video editor.?

I'm a 10th grader and am very interested in being a film/video editor, what are my first steps to becoming one?

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Lindsey’s Answer

A great start would be to experiment with your own projects. All it takes is a couple of your own video clips and a free video editor like CapCut, Canva, or iMovie to learn the basics of editing videos without spending money on the higher-end video editing software.

Even if you have to start by filming some boring event from your day and adding filters, scene cuts, etc. to it, you are still getting a start and learning how to interact with editing software.

Free online tutorials on YouTube can help you learn the basics you need to start understanding video editing. So can the websites for your chosen video editor. CapCut has some great advice on their website.

Lindsey recommends the following next steps:

If your school offers any classes in video editing or clubs where you could learn or build editing skills, enroll in them if you can.
Submit video projects for classes when that is an option to practice your skills and build new ones.
Try out paid video editing classes online. Skillshare is one option that is easy to get started with.
Pay for a higher-end video editor like Adobe Premiere to learn and practice more in-depth editing techniques.
Once you have a good feel for video editing, consider pursuing a college degree in film production or a similar field. You can possibly talk to a school counselor about options and also research options online.
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Steve’s Answer

Dive into the world of online video editing platforms. Play around, press buttons, explore! Watch YouTube and LinkedIn tutorials on editing to expand your knowledge.

Next, grab your phone and start filming. Bring in the footage and begin piecing it together. Familiarize yourself with the features and functionalities of different platforms. If possible, connect with professionals in the field and learn from their experiences on what it takes to succeed.

As you approach high school graduation, start considering a reputable film school to further hone your skills.

In my senior year, I gifted my school a documentary that I produced, directed, and edited. It featured interviews with teachers, staff, and students from various clubs and organizations. That was quite a while back... : > )

Best of luck on your journey!
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Jacob’s Answer

Hi Raffi,

I think the first, best step is to start watching other people's films and television episodes. I believe that by studying the editing styles of different editors and the different genres they edit, you'll be able to obtain an overall perspective of how editing is done. Different decades called for different editing styles, and the editing styles continue to change as the years go by.

Another good way to get started is to read articles where editors comprehensively break down the way they edited each film and or television episode, as this will provide insight into what they were thinking at the time when making the decisions they made.

Both these methods don't cost a dime, and can act as a starting point for your journey. Then as Steve mentioned, I would suggest using your phone camera to gather footage as beginning practice. As time goes by, and your interest grows, I suggest taking on projects for free to gain experience in the field. As your name and reputation grow among the circle or circles you're in, and you feel comfortable in your abilities, that's when I recommend you go professional.

What's great about film school is that you get to build connections with others and meet people that you wouldn't otherwise get to meet if you were not in an academic environment. But film school isn't always the answer, and you could most certainly make your way to a successful career without it by interning for high-end post-production companies for free and learning the ropes. Either way, I think you'll be fine.

I hope this helps!
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Nik’s Answer

Raffi, I would agree with Steve that the most important part is getting your hands on some editing software and learning how it works. This will allow you to see behind the scenes on the videos that you experience around you in your life. Fades, voice overs, and jump cuts will all start to pop out at you as you play around with them in an editing platform. It is like learning to hear the notes, progressions, and chord changes in a song. You'll start to understand how people make videos and why they make the decisions they make. Have fun!
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Yingna’s Answer

Watch your favorite movies. Watch your favorite scenes shot by shot, if possible. Access any film footage available and start editing them for fun. Add music, sounds. Play with the footage. no pressure
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Annaleigh’s Answer

Hi Raffi! I agree with a lot of the other answers, just keep practicing on your own projects! Watch YouTube videos, find assets online, and learn as much as you can! If your school has any film or broadcasting classes that is an incredible way to learn from others. Good luck!
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