How do beginners practice video editing?

Video editing is a creative and technical process that allows you to turn raw footage into a complete video production. As a beginner, practicing video editing is crucial for developing skills and gaining experience. With the right approach, tools, and techniques, beginners can start practicing video editing and improve over time.

Why Should Beginners Practice Video Editing?

Here are some of the key reasons beginners should practice video editing:

Learn how video editing software works – The interfaces, tools, and capabilities of video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve. Hands-on practice builds familiarity.

Develop technical skills – Video editing requires skills like trimming footage, adjusting audio levels, color grading, working with graphics and effects, and encoding final videos. Practice develops these technical skills.
Understand the creative process – Video editing involves storytelling and style decisions on pacing, shot sequencing, transitions, music, and more. Practice builds creative skills.
Acquire project experience – Working through practice projects from start to finish provides invaluable real-world experience.

Build a portfolio – Completed practice projects can be used to start a video editing portfolio to demonstrate skills to potential clients or employers.
Gain confidence – Hands-on experience builds confidence in using editing software and creating videos.

Take advantage of the benefits above by practicing regularly as you learn video editing.

How Should Beginners Start Practicing?

Here are some tips for beginners to start practicing video editing:

Complete software tutorials – Most editing programs offer step-by-step tutorials on using the interface and tools. Completing these gets you comfortable with the basics.
Take an online course – Structured online courses teach video editing systematically through lessons and practice projects.

Edit personal videos – Practice editing footage from family events, vacations, or other personal videos.
Collect sample footage – Build a library of video clips and b-roll to practice editing techniques.
Re-edit existing videos – Practice by re-editing existing videos to improve pacing, style, graphics, etc.

Work on practice exercises – Many online courses and tutorials assign focused exercises like cutting a montage or mixing audio.
Create projects from scratch – Coming up with video project ideas and seeing them through provides great experience.

When first starting out, focus on learning fundamentals, developing technical skills, and gaining confidence with the software. Don’t worry about creating polished productions. The goal is to practice the editing process.

What Tools Do Beginners Need for Practice?

Here are some of the key tools beginners will need:

Video editing software – Beginners have several options like DaVinci Resolve (free), Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or others. Choose one to focus your practice on.
Sample video footage – Build up a library of raw video clips to practice with. Stock video sites and even smartphone clips can work.

Digital media files – Collect other assets like photos, graphics, animations, and music to incorporate.
Computer hardware – A sufficiently powerful computer is required so the software runs smoothly. Look up recommended specs for your software.
External hard drive – Video files consume storage quickly so external drives are useful for holding footage and completed projects.

Creative resources – Sample scripts, storyboards, editing templates, and guides can help generate video ideas.

While beginners can start practicing video editing with limited resources, having access to sufficient computing power, storage, and a variety of raw video make the process much easier.

What Are Good Beginner Practice Exercises?

Some beneficial exercises for beginners include:

Basic editing techniques – Cutting clips, trimming, splitting, overlaying, adjusting pace and rhythm.
Audio editing – Adjusting audio levels, cleaning up audio, mixing multiple tracks, adding music.
Color correction – Balancing colors, adjusting brightness/contrast, creating stylistic grades.

Working with graphics – Creating titles, lower thirds, credits, simple motion graphics.
Basic special effects – Zooms, speed changes, simple compositing, green screen removal.
Exporting videos – Practicing outputting in different resolutions, codecs, and formats.

Creating short form videos – Editing together interviews, news clips, how-tos, product reviews.
Telling a story – Using b-roll, sequencing, and pacing to lead the viewer through a narrative.
Music videos – Cutting clips to the rhythm and pace of music tracks.

Thematic montages – Weaving together clips around emotions, memories, concepts.

Rather than diving into overly complex projects, focus on mastering fundamental techniques. You can combine various exercises into short practice videos to apply your skills.

What Are Good Video Projects for Beginners?

Here are some appropriate starter projects for beginners:

Photo slideshows – Weave still images into a story set to music.
Personal documentaries – Create a short biography video about a family member or friend.
Product reviews – Showcase and critique a product or technology.

How-to videos – Demonstrate how to do something like a craft, recipe or skill.
Music videos – Cut found footage to go with a song.
Travelogues – Highlight memories and experiences from a trip.

Short films – Adapt a short script into a simple narrative video.
Animated videos – Make simple motion graphics explainers about a topic.
Video blogs/vlogs – Record and edit together a personal update vlog.

Video resumes – Create a video resume/CV introducing yourself and your skills.

Choose self-contained projects that align with your interests and available resources. Work on developing the core editing skills rather than getting bogged down in complex productions.

How Should Beginners Improve Their Skills Over Time?

To improve your video editing skills over time:

Increase project complexity – Take on more sophisticated, multi-part videos requiring more techniques.
Refine your creative process – Experiment with different storytelling styles and pacing to refine your aesthetic.
Learn advanced techniques – Dive into complex skills like professional color grading, motion graphics, visual effects.

Take inspiration from professionals – Study films and videos made by professionals in genres you want to develop.
Get feedback – Have other experienced editors evaluate your work and provide improvement suggestions.
Continue taking courses – Take more advanced courses focusing on specific complex skills.

Read video editing books/blogs – Dive deeper into theory, techniques, and mindsets around editing.
Join online video editing communities – Get support and feedback by connecting with other editors.

Keep challenging yourself by practicing new skills outside your comfort zone. Stay inspired by continually watching great videos in your target genres.

What Mistakes Should Beginners Avoid?

Some common beginner mistakes to avoid:

Skipping fundamentals – Attempting complex edits without learning basics first.
No storyboarding/planning – Editing aimlessly without outlines results in disorganized videos.

Overdoing effects/transitions – Using too many can distract rather than enhance.
Mismanaging project files – Not organizing footage and exports leads to lost or unusable files.
Fixating on gear – No need for expensive cameras/gear. Focus on developing skills first.

Not listening to feedback – Ignoring critiques stunts your improvement.
Comparing yourself to experts – Unproductive to compare your early work to professionals’ years of experience.
Making overly ambitious projects – Picking projects too complex leads to frustration.

Not practicing regularly – Skills fade if you don’t exercise them consistently.
Not outputting finished videos – Don’t just edit, export your projects and get feedback.

Remain patient with yourself as a beginner learning a complex craft. Stay focused on foundational skills, accept critiques, and avoid comparing yourself to seasoned professionals.

What Are the Most Important Mindsets for Improvement?

Cultivating these mindsets will help you improve:

Focus on the fundamentals – Resist the urge to race into flashy, complex skills. Mastering core techniques is crucial.
Embrace patience and persistence – Video editing has a steep learning curve. Progress takes sustained effort over time.

Analyze professional work – Study videos you admire to understand the editing craft behind them.
Welcome feedback – Feedback, however critical, gives you perspective to improve.
Stay self-aware – Periodically critique your own strengths/weaknesses to guide your learning priorities.

Enjoy the creative process – Have fun editing! The joy will come through in your videos.
Be inspired, not intimidated, by excellence – Great work by others shows you what’s possible.

Improvement in any complex skill requires diligence, self-awareness, patience with yourself, and openness to critique. If you can adopt those mindsets, your video editing skills will steadily improve.

How Should Beginners Build an Editing Portfolio?

Here are tips for beginners to start building a video editing portfolio:

Collect your best practice project edits into a demo reel showcasing skills.
Choose projects that align with target editing genres and clients.

Select clips demonstrating proficiency with key editing techniques.
Prioritize quality over quantity. No need to make a reel over 3-5 minutes long.
Organize reel with your strongest work first.

Showcase consistent style and production values.
Host video reel on a personal website or video platform like Vimeo.
Provide reel download links to prospective employers/clients.

Update reel regularly by adding new/improved project edits.
Supplement with spec project edits tailored to target gigs.

A compelling editing reel is vital for landing gigs. Use your practice project experience to piece together samples demonstrating you have the necessary skills.

What Resources Are Available for Beginners?

Beginners have access to many learning resources:

Video editing software tutorials – Built-in introduction materials to learn programs.
Online video courses – Structured on-demand courses teaching video editing.

Video training sites – Lynda, LinkedIn Learning, Skillshare, Udemy, and others.
YouTube tutorials – Abundant free tutorials on YouTube explaining all techniques.
Books – Many technique and theory books for beginner and advanced editors.

Blogs/podcasts – Numerous blogs and podcasts diving deep on video editing.
Online communities – Subreddits, forums, Facebook groups to connect with other editors.
Local workshops/classes – Camera shops, colleges, community centers sometimes offer in-person courses.

Software manuals – Detailed documentation and help resources from software makers.
Industry publications – Journals, magazines, and websites reporting on techniques and tools.

Today’s beginners have an incredible range of resources available through online learning platforms, communities, and tutorials. Take advantage!

Conclusion

Regular hands-on practice is crucial for beginners to develop their video editing skills. Work through software tutorials, online courses, and starter projects to get comfortable with fundamental techniques. Collect footage and creative assets for editing exercises focused on common practices like cutting clips, mixing audio, and working with graphics. As you progress, take on more complex multi-part projects, get feedback from experienced editors, and keep expanding your technical and creative skills. Building a portfolio of practice project edits will allow you to demonstrate your abilities to prospective clients or employers. With patience and persistence, video editing beginners can build up their skills to take on professional-level work.