Video editors and motion graphic specialists are becoming increasingly valuable in the modern digital age. The blogs and written articles of yesteryear are now being replaced by video content in most corners of the web. The result of this booming growth in advanced media is the constant need for more professionals who know their way around video editing and other visual software. If you have a strong passion for films and other video content, then learning to edit motion graphics is a great way to spend your time.
What is Video Editing and Motion Graphics?
While everyone has seen a movie before, it is rare when someone considers what goes on behind the curtain. Video editing and manipulating motion graphics are the key factors that make hit films so engaging. It is the art of making the production appealing to the eyes and ears of the audience. As you can imagine, there is a lot of technical prowess that goes into a published work. Here are some of the main topics that you will explore when pursuing a career in video editing.
Video Editing
The core topic of video editing goes into detail about why audiences find certain images and movements visually stimulating. Essentially, this is where you learn the basics of what makes something appealing to the eye. Many of these concepts are similar to what film students would learn. This allows both types of artists to collaborate and make the best-looking footage possible.
Animation
Animation is another huge component of video editing. Almost every graphic used will need to be animated. Even text that moves across the screen requires a simple animation to accomplish. While you won’t need to master a full 3D modeling course, you will want to know the basics in case you need to whip up something quick for a potential employer or side project. Typically, 2D animation is enough to accomplish most basic effects in informational content. 3D animation is used to make a project more entertaining. Deciding which type of content you want to produce will give you an idea of which style you should focus on.
Color Grading and Theory
If you have ever noticed how home video and professional content look vastly different, then you were noticing the enhanced color grading applied to a published film or television show. Color grading isn’t based on realism, but rather what emotions the director wants the viewer to feel. Color theory is a study of how audiences respond to each color and what happens when multiple hues are blended into the same scene. Studying this thoroughly is a great way to keep audiences engaged with the videos you edit.
Audio and Post-Production
Although most people only think about the visual aspect of film, the audio is just as important to making the action on screen pop. Video editors must sync up voiced lines with the mouth movements of any actors or animated characters. The same is true for many of the sound effects used in TV and movies. Editors often add voiced lines and sound effects after the fact. This allows them to sync the entire production and maintain a cohesive narrative for the viewer to follow.
Pro Tools
Pro Tools is the most popular software for creating music and sound effects for video content. This professional suite provides an editor with everything needed to make the audio just right. Learning this software is a great place to start. Many editors stick with just Pro Tools and do just fine.
3D Design
There are numerous animated properties that rely on advanced 3D design to attract their audiences. Even if you only plan on working in live-action, understanding what makes 3D art tick is a very useful skill for video editors. You never know when a huge opportunity to work on a 3D project will fall into your lap. A comprehensive study of video editing should always include as much 3D design and animation as possible.
Business Management
After working in the trenches for a few years, many experienced editors look to start a business of their own. Business management for media is a great topic to study in addition to your fundamental editing skills. The ability to market and brand your content is a huge boon to any project you work on. Even if you don’t want anything to do with the pencil-pushing, your understanding of what makes a company profitable will reflect in your work. This will become a point of merit that your boss will surely appreciate.
Story Boarding
Understanding the story boarding process is key to producing a finished product that the pre-production staff can be proud of. Story boarding is the process of drawing out the basic outline of a project by hand. This gives everyone working on the project a clear vision of what each scene should be. Once the film crew records all the footage, your job as a video editor will be to make the final cut resemble that initial story board. Story boards look similar to comics and have the same sequential structure. The more familiar you are with this process, the easier it will be to meet the demands of the rest of the creative team.
Motion Graphics and Digital Effects
Unless you are working on an extremely ambient piece, most videos require some special effects to keep the viewer’s attention. Learning how to move text in creative ways and being able to photoshop is key. The goal is to create an interesting visual that doesn’t distract from the rest of the broadcast. In addition to overlays, you may also be tasked with creating some of the more advanced visual effects. For instance, you may need to create crackling lightning bolts that emerge from a wizard’s hands. If an asset isn’t provided to you already, it will fall on the video editor to create everything needed to complete a scene.
Is Video Editing a Good Career?
In short, becoming a video editor is a great career. There are so many opportunities available and more innovative concepts are always on the horizon. The result is a career path that will support you for the foreseeable future. Unless a brand-new form of media is invented overnight, you won’t have to worry about video content disappearing anytime soon. Being in an evergreen industry is always a sure sign of an excellent career choice.
Growing Demand
Video editors have benefitted greatly from the rise of the internet. Since so many websites now rely on video content to stay afloat, there is always new video editing positions opening up. However, your options aren’t relegated to just an internet publication. Video content services like YouTube feature thousands of creators who may opt to hire their own editor. Many content creators excel at their chosen topic, but don’t know the first thing about motion graphics. That is where you come in.
An Abundance of Options
Once you’ve landed your first video editing position, you will be gaining invaluable experience that you can place in your resume or portfolio. This experience will make it far easier to land the abundance of roles that are available to you. You can work at any of the publications that require constant video content. The list of potential employers you gain is far too large to list. This goes to show just how many doors open for you when you choose a video editing career.
There is Always Something More to Master
A common pitfall among most jobs is how repetitive they become over time. Finding a career that provides some variety is always a huge bonus. Video editing and motion graphics offer many additional career paths and technology to pursue. Video editors can seamlessly transition to almost any other role in the entertainment industry. There are also plenty of options in other media fields. Video editing is useful for schools, news stations, and many small businesses. In addition to all of these lateral moves, you can also learn new techniques to excel in your existing role. Becoming more valuable by acquiring new skills is a perfect way to get promoted in media circles.
Final Thoughts
Aspiring video editors have an incredible job outlook that continues to grow just as fast as the video and streaming services that dominate the entertainment industry. Every project you see on Netflix and YouTube has a skilled video editor behind it. This means you will never have a shortage of work should you get the proper training and skills. The best way to acquire the relevant skill set is to attend a formal education program. Curriculum is built from the ground up by industry professionals that know exactly what your future employers want to see. Considering how important these programs are becoming, formal education is absolutely a resource you should use to jumpstart your career.
Video Editing & Motion Graphics Program
Ready to learn more about a career in video editing? IPR’s Online Video Editing & Motion Graphics Degree program is entirely online, and allows students to earn a multi-skill, multi-functional Associate of Applied Science Degree in less than two years*. Students learn entry-level skills in every aspect of post-production . IPR’s Video Editing and Motion Graphics program prepares you for a real-world role in post production processes in the editorial, color, and motion graphics/animations departments.
If you are interested in a career in video editing and motion graphics you should tour our Minneapolis creative arts college, see the labs and meet our staff. Call 1-612-351-0631 or contact admissions to make arrangements.
*2-year program completion based on full time enrollment