What Does a Video Editor Do: 6 Job Responsibilities

Videos are all over nowadays— from your classic video game stream to your family vacation recap, there is always a purpose for a video in your life. A video editor is a professional responsible for assembling and manipulating video footage, sound recordings, and other multimedia elements to create a final product: the movies and videos you love to see on social media. The final product could be anything from a short film or music video to a corporate training video or a TV commercial!

Sometimes, though, it can be intimidating to get into the game. Perhaps you are deciding if you want to go into video editing and the movie business, or maybe you are genuinely curious to know how people make so much money stringing together clips and sounds. In any case, we have got you covered! Read on to find out exactly what a video editor does!

1. Reviewing and selecting footage

As one may expect, a large part of a video editor’s job is to carefully review the footage captured during a shoot and select the best takes to use in the final edit. This requires a keen eye for detail, as editors must identify shots that are well-framed, properly lit, and in focus. You just want the videos to look good.

The editor must also consider the story or message that the video is meant to convey and choose footage that supports that narrative— this can change based on the purpose of the video. This process involves watching all the footage multiple times, taking detailed notes, and deciding which shots to use and which to discard. It can be time-consuming, but it is essential for creating a polished, professional-looking video!

2. Cutting and arranging clips

Once you have reviewed and selected your footage, it is time to arrange your clips! They tend to do so in a way that tells a cohesive story or conveys a specific message. This involves deciding which shots to use, where to place them, and how long to hold each shot. This is where the editor’s creativity comes into play!

This process involves using editing software to cut and join clips, add transitions, and adjust the pacing and flow of the video. The goal is to create a video that engages the viewer and holds their attention from start to finish; every video editor will have a different approach.

3. Synchronizing audio

Have you ever listened to a video, and the audio pulled it together? Do the bumps of the music match the clips? Good audio is critical to any video; video editors must ensure that the audio tracks are properly synced with the video footage. This is a technical task that requires precision and attention to detail. The editor must match sound bites with corresponding footage, ensure the audio is properly levelled, and sync music with the visuals.

This process involves using audio editing software to adjust the timing of audio tracks, add sound effects, and adjust the volume levels to create a polished, professional-sounding video. In addition, an editor may need to ensure the dubbing services sync with the correct scenes. Not as easy as it sounds, huh?

4. Adding transitions and special effects

I know it is not just me who has been enthralled by the special effects in a given video. Transitions and special effects can add visual interest to a video and make it more engaging for viewers. Video editors may use fades, dissolves, colour grading, and other effects to create a professional video!

These may sound like technical terms to you, but I promise, if you get into video editing, you will get familiar with these! Exciting, isn’t it?

5. Collaborating with other members of the creative team

This is one feat of video editing that is often overlooked— video editing can be a collaborative process, and video editors must work closely with other members of the creative team to ensure that the final product meets everyone’s expectations. This is especially critical when video editing for a company or marketing purposes.

This may involve working with the director to ensure the video aligns with their vision or working with sound engineers to ensure the audio is properly mixed! Effective collaboration requires good communication skills, incorporating feedback into the final product, and a commitment to meeting deadlines and delivering high-quality work. Your high school teacher was not wrong to assign you all those dreaded group projects.

6. Staying up to date with new technologies and trends

As you probably know, video editing requires technology and software. Video editing constantly evolves, and video editors must stay updated with the latest trends to remain competitive! This may involve learning new software programs, attending industry conferences, or networking with other professionals in the field. You will never stop learning with this job.