Becoming a video editor, general info on programs

[chrisv39]

So I am going to become a video editor soon. I am going to school for it. Off the top of anyone's head what are some programs that would be good to edit movies and such.

I have Final Cut Studio. Is that all that matters? Or is there other programs that would be good to learn?

 

[MT37]

Adobe Premiere. I don't know the last version of it and I doubt it's universal.

Avid editing programs would be great to learn. Steap learning curve though.

 

[icrude]

If u can master FCS, you're good to go. The programs in that package truly are a dream come true.

 

[eXan]

Since you already have Final Cut Studio, you do not need anything else. Its a great suit for video editing! FCP, Motion, DVDSP - Awesome!

 

[Irish Dave]

So I am going to become a video editor soon. I am going to school for it. Off the top of anyone's head what are some programs that would be good to edit movies and such.

I have Final Cut Studio. Is that all that matters? Or is there other programs that would be good to learn?

I too would say Final Cut Studio is all you will need.
Media students in our local college are only trained in Final Cut pro, and even our local TV companies have changed from Avid to Final Cut.

Good luck with your course.

Dave

 

[bimmzy]

So I am going to become a video editor soon. I am going to school for it. Off the top of anyone's head what are some programs that would be good to edit movies and such.

I have Final Cut Studio. Is that all that matters? Or is there other programs that would be good to learn?

Goodness where do i start!

Firstly the two main types of software in use in broadcasting are Avid Media composer and it's variants, and also Final Cut Pro. Don't bother about the rest quite yet (adobe premier, why does it exist even).
Another potential fly in the ointment is Quantel's QEdit, but hopefully FCP will kill it off.

Avid and FCP are very similar in many ways though i think Avid has the edge with respect to the user interface. Though I'm sure FCP will eventually take the lead from Avid in becoming the industry standard.

As for becoming a video editor, i wish you the very best (always keep an eye on the little details).
But my advise to you is to go and do something less frustrating!

Oh and be prepared to sit quietly in a dark corner whilst sitting on your hands at ceremonies when they hand out the awards.
You will never ever get the glory. The producers and directors will steal all that from you!

So I am going to become a video editor soon. I am going to school for it. Off the top of anyone's head what are some programs that would be good to edit movies and such.

I have Final Cut Studio. Is that all that matters? Or is there other programs that would be good to learn?

Goodness where do i start!

Firstly the two main types of software in use in broadcasting are Avid Media composer and it's variants, and also Final Cut Pro. Don't bother about the rest quite yet (adobe premier, why does it exist even).
Another potential fly in the ointment is Quantel's QEdit, but hopefully FCP will kill it off.

Avid and FCP are very similar in many ways though i think Avid has the edge with respect to the user interface. I'm sure FCP will eventually take the lead from Avid in becoming the industry standard.

As for becoming a video editor, i wish you the very best (always keep an eye on the little details)
But my advise to you is to go and do something less frustrating!

oh and be prepared to sit quietly in a dark corner whilst sitting on your hands at ceremonies when they hand out the awards. you will never get the glory. The producers and directors will steal all that from you!

 

[evil_santa]

I cant see Quantel getting a grip on main stream Editing again, we have just got rid of all our Quantel gear, i used Editbox for 10 years, and replaced with 5 FCP suites, Quantel is to high cost to buy & Maintain. My company refuse to deal with them anymore.

Back to the original poster, being able to work the software is one thing, but what you need is a good eye & a flair for editing, if you become a pro editor you will have to deal with directors & producers, and that is not always easy.

At the end of the day it doesn't matter what software you use, its how you use it. I have editors who are nice and easy going, but can never put the cut in the right place & others who are good editors but have no people skills so the producers just wont work with them.

Then the worst editors i have found have no people skills, can't edit but always seem to have qualified as a FCP trainer. and constantly tell you that I should take them on because the are so qualified!

You also need to work out what sort of thing you want to edit, I do short form ie less than 5min, Ads Promo etc, compositing & color grading.

 

[Rasheem]

Id say it would be a good thing to learn Avid after you've mastered Final Cut Pro. THen you can get any job really, your not limited to some companies that use Avid or Some that use FCP

 

[chrisv39]

Thank you everyone for your answers. Is AVID for PC? Again, thanks for all the info!

 

[Rasheem]

Thank you everyone for your answers. Is AVID for PC? Again, thanks for all the info!

Yes but you can use bootcamp for it and it'll work great. Dont even try using parallels

 

[puckhead193]

Thank you everyone for your answers. Is AVID for PC? Again, thanks for all the info!

its for both mac and pc

down the line, you should learn pro tools and after effects, just because its something else to add to your resume.

 

[marioman38]

down the line, you should learn pro tools and after effects, just because its something else to add to your resume.

FYI: Don't buy After Effects Yet, because its not Universal.....

 

[bimmzy]

Thank you everyone for your answers. Is AVID for PC? Again, thanks for all the info!

in general this is true, in as much as there is not a universal version of any of the Avid flavours, yet. But it is coming.

There is however the PPC version of Xpress (and Pro) and media composer, but it will not run on mac-intels.

 

[Mr B]

Final Cut Studio is awesome. Make sure to experiment on Livetype and Motion. And Sountrack Pro can really surprise you. I don't think any mentioned it, although this is pretty much a given: learn photoshop. You wll need it anyway, plus editors these days are often expected to do much/or all of the visual effects as well. Good Luck!

 

[Alpinism]

AVID is king of the industry. HOwever FCS is making a huge huge dent. Watch out for next 2 installments from Apple (FC extreme and FCS 6) possibily being released next year at NAB.

FCE is designed specifically to dethrone AVID. It is also made to compliment the RED One.

 

[JohnMC]

FCP is a great video editing program but Motion and Livetype are underpowered for doing anything 3D. For that you should use Maya or AfterEffects. Learning AVID is on my list of things to do because many studios still use it. ProTools is a must for anything audio in the industry so learning how to use it might be a good idea.

JohnMC

 

[Mr B]

FCP is a great video editing program but Motion and Livetype are underpowered for doing anything 3D. For that you should use Maya or AfterEffects. Learning AVID is on my list of things to do because many studios still use it. ProTools is a must for anything audio in the industry so learning how to use it might be a good idea.

JohnMC

Is it really that common for editors to use Maya? I mean, if you have it and know it, that would be great, i just have never seen it used in most editors workflows. Just curious.

 

[faustfire]

Is it really that common for editors to use Maya? I mean, if you have it and know it, that would be great, i just have never seen it used in most editors workflows. Just curious.

I would say that after effects is used more by the average editor. Maya and other 3d programs are used more my editors who also do motion graphics.
If you are planning on being primarily an editor but would still like to do a little 3d work I would recommend learning Cinema 4D as it has a much more mellow learning curve.

 

[MovieCutter]

The obligatory "The programs DON'T make you an editor. Just because you know how to push the buttons, doesn't mean you're a video editor. Learning the craft and art of editing takes time, patience, and skill. Don't think you're just a video editor because you know how to use Avid or Final Cut Pro." post. Aside from that, they're all the same. An insert is an insert, and overwrite is and overwrite. A three point edit works the same in every program, split editing works the same in every program, trimming works the same in every program...you just need to know what the hell your doing and when using Avid, remember to be in the right "mode".

Oh, and learn After Effects for the love of baby Jesus. For some reason, all the job postings for editors I've seen lately have "After Effects required/a plus" in them.

 

[markjones05]

To be a successful editor you will need to know 2 programs inside and out. First and foremost is Avid. It is still the industry leader and many clients request that their projects are edited on this because they don't know anything else. Secondly FCP. It is what I prefer and is much more cost effective way to accomplish professional jobs. I use it whenever I have the choice. Especially since Avid has been dragging there feet with updates. You still can't run avid on an Intel Mac. Also HD on many Avid platforms is severely lacking. It also helps to know the basics in After Effects and other motion graphics programs to give your final product that professional shine.

 

[LethalWolfe]

I'm going to take the "obligatory" baton from MovieCutter for a second.

Learning programs is very much secondary to learning how to edit. Just because you buy a bat doesn't mean you can start swinging like Babe Ruth.

I strongly recommend grabbing "In the Blink of an Eye" and "The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film". The first is a series of essays written by Walter Murch and the second is basically an extended interview w/Walter Murch . Reading up on editing theory and/or the practical experience of others can only take you so far (to stick w/my analogy reading about baseball is different than actually playing baseball), but it can introduce you to concepts and ideas instead of you stumbling upon them on your own (no point in re-inventing the wheel).

Editing is storytelling, and good editing utilizes beat, rhythm, and timing to connect w/the audience emotionally on an almost subconscious level.

/rant.


Lethal

 

[bigbossbmb]

I have to second "In the blink..." as it is a great learning tool for those getting into editing. Also, you might want to watch a documentary call "the cutting edge" you can find it on netflix and such. It was made by Starz! and is pretty interesting to watch. By no means is it complete, though. It just breezes through some of the most basic principles.

 

[bimmzy]

in general this is true, in as much as there is not a universal version of any of the Avid flavours, yet. But it is coming.

There is however the PPC version of Xpress (and Pro) and media composer, but it will not run on mac-intels.

CORRECTION!CORRECTION!CORRECTION!CORRECTION!

there is a universal version of xpress pro for mactel! its a beta but it works well. you need to have a service account with Avid in order to get the "free download" and you get one of those by paying Avid for Xperss pro!!!!!!

 

[ezekielrage_99]

Go with Final Cut Pro, Avid or anything by Autodesk. These are pretty universal video editors and industry standard.

 

[dredmorbius]

Goodness where do i start!

Firstly the two main types of software in use in broadcasting are Avid Media composer and it's variants, and also Final Cut Pro. Don't bother about the rest quite yet (adobe premier, why does it exist even).
Another potential fly in the ointment is Quantel's QEdit, but hopefully FCP will kill it off.

Avid and FCP are very similar in many ways though i think Avid has the edge with respect to the user interface. Though I'm sure FCP will eventually take the lead from Avid in becoming the industry standard.

As for becoming a video editor, i wish you the very best (always keep an eye on the little details).
But my advise to you is to go and do something less frustrating!

Oh and be prepared to sit quietly in a dark corner whilst sitting on your hands at ceremonies when they hand out the awards.
You will never ever get the glory. The producers and directors will steal all that from you!

I agree with a lot of this post but as for the awards, they do give them out to editors as well. I have been fortunate enough to win 2 Primetime Emmy awards for Picture Editing, and also have been nominated twice for Sound Editing. So it does happen. Of course, they give us our own awards show seperate from theirs but hey, the trophies still look nice on the mantel.

Basically, what you need to know totally depends on what you plan to do with your career. You can be quite successful knowing only Avid (or Final Cut Pro) and nothing else but it all depends on what you plan on pursuing. If want to cut long form shows or even features, a lot of the time you will only be cutting in low-res or as an offline editor which won't require you to know other applications. The finishing is usually done by an online guy somewhere else. I know someone who was nominated for an Emmy and didn't even know how to use the Title Tool in Avid but he was one heck of a storyteller. Again, that's the high end I know and if you plan on doing things for yourself or working for a post house, by all means learn Photoshop, After Effects and everything you can get your hands on. It can only help making you more marketable.