If you have an eye for detail, then you may be able to become an editor. The three main types of editing include video editing, photo editing, and copyediting. If you want to get into video and photo editing, you will need to get the right programs and watch tutorials to learn how to perform the most popular techniques in the industry. If you want to learn to correct texts, you will have to read the different style manuals and accumulate experience when editing other people's work. In the end, if you put in enough time and dedication, you can learn to edit.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Learn to Edit Videos
Step 1. Choose a video editing program
Popular video editing programs include Adobe Premiere Pro CC, Corel VideoStudio, Final Cut Pro, and Apple Final Cut Pro X. Do an online search, read reviews, and find a program that can run on your computer., and that fits your budget. You can also access certain free programs, if you have a limited fund of money.
Some of the free programs are: Movie Moments, Movie Maker, iMovie, and Magix Movie Edit Touch
Step 2. Watch online tutorials on how to use video editing programs
There are free online resources that you can use to learn the basics of video editing. You can find tutorials on popular platforms, such as YouTube or Vimeo, as well as on "blogs" and websites geared towards video editing.
- Some of the most popular sites where you will find such tutorials are: The Beat, Ripple Training, and PluralSight (Adobe Suite). Many of these sites will feature courses related to a wide variety of programs.
- Choose those tutorials that are specific to the program you plan to use.
- You can also enroll in paid classes with an accredited university, or at sites such as Udemy and Lynda, for more detailed instruction.
Step 3. Collect video recordings so that you can practice
Collect recordings, or make your own recordings and practice the different techniques on video. You can also do an online search and find archive recordings, which you can use when you first start editing. At first, practice with 30 minutes to an hour of video recordings. As your editing skills improve, you can start cutting and editing longer pieces.
- Some of the best known websites that contain archival recordings are: Dissolve, Pond5, and Filmsupply. You will need to purchase the license if you want to use these clips.
- You can also get video recordings of yourself playing video games or computer games, using a webcam and video capture program, such as OBS Studio, Plays.tv, and Nvidia Shadowplay.
Step 4. Experiment with different types of transitions
The types of transitions can be cuts, sweeps, and fades. Take your recording and try to make the transitions using the different sections. Don't worry about achieving a cohesive narrative just yet.
Step 5. Add music to your video
Try adding music to the video you just transitions on. The music could be a song or sound effects. Upload the footage into your video editing program and add the audio on a different track. From there, you can cut and modify the audio according to your preferences.
Classical music will add a refined touch to your scenes, while "heavy metal" music will make your scenes look more intense or gloomy. See how the music influences the video
Step 6. Add the opening and ending credits to the movie
Opening credits generally include the production company, the film's title, the main cast, the director, the producers, and the writers. The end credits typically include everyone involved in the creation of the film. Most video editing programs will allow you to type text and place it on its own layer on top of the film. You can use the built-in tools to make the text blur and scroll.
It is advisable to add text, so that your movie has built-in subtitles, in case the actors speak different languages
Step 7. Create a short movie that has a plot
After mastering the basic techniques, create an entire narrative and try to edit a short movie entirely. Come up with an idea and create a story, then link the video clips together to create a cohesive story. Your first short movie should only be 5-10 minutes long.
Step 8. Read books on video editing
After mastering the basic techniques and starting to edit your own movies, it is advisable to learn more about the art and theory of video editing. These books will provide you with a more detailed look at all aspects of film editing.
Popular books on this subject include "Behind The Seen", "Making Movies", "The Film Editing Room Handbook", and "The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film"
Step 9. Get a college degree in cinematography or a related field
If you go to film school, you will learn the basics of video editing, and you will be able to network with other people interested in film production. Some of the more viable college majors include cinematography, digital cinematography, digital cinematography, and production. If you have the time and money, then consider going to school or college.
- A formal education is not always necessary to work as a movie editor.
- If you live in the United States, some of the most famous film schools are: the “American Film Institute”, “Altos de Chavon Film School” (Altos de Chavon Film School), “Colorado Film School "(Colorado Film School), and" Hofstra University "(Hofstra University).
Method 2 of 3: Perform photo editing
Step 1. Consider getting a degree in fine arts or photography
A formal education will teach you the basic photo editing skills you'll need when looking for a job in the industry. You will also make friends and build a professional network of contacts. Consider attending art or photography school to jump-start your career in the photo-editing industry.
If you live in the United States, the most popular photography schools are: the "Massachusetts College of Art and Design", the "University of Arizona", and the "Yale School of Fine Art "(Yale School of Fine Arts)
Step 2. Choose a photo editing program
Before you begin, you will need to purchase and install a photo editing program that is compatible with your computer. You can also use the photo editing tools available from a web browser.
- Major editing programs include Adobe Photography Plan, Phase One Capture One Pro 10, and Serif Affinity Photo.
- Free editing programs include GIMP, Fotor, and Paint. NET.
Step 3. Watch and read tutorials online
There are many free resources, courses, and video tutorials that you can watch online. You can find some of these tutorials on sites like YouTube, while others are created specifically to address the topic of photo editing.
- You can get free tutorials from Adobe and Tuts +.
- You can also find editing courses, which will have a cost, on sites such as Lynda and Udemy.
Step 4. Practice resizing, moving, and cropping the images
If you want to edit a photo so that only a certain part of it is visible, then you will need to crop the image. Most editing programs will have a cropping tool that you can drag around a certain area within the photo and thus crop it. In the event that the photo is too large, then you may also need to reduce the dimensions of the photo, or it may also be the case that you need to increase the size of an image.
If you have an image that is oriented at a certain angle, you can also straighten it and then crop the image to create the impression that the image was taken on flat ground
Step 5. Learn to modify exposure and saturation
Exposure is responsible for modifying the brightness level of a photograph. You can use this tool to correct photos that have too much or too little exposure. Saturation will determine the intensity and depth of the colors in the photo. Use the tools in your photo editing program to manipulate the appearance of the image.
Step 6. Use the layers to your advantage
You will be able to mount layers of different images one on top of the other and thus change the appearance of the photographs. Take a photo that features both high and low exposure, and then mount a layer and use the blend tool to highlight the dark and light areas in the photo. You can also layer different objects, text, or images on top of a photo to completely modify it. Mastering the assembly of the layers will allow you to edit the photos in a much easier way.
Setting a high opacity level will make the layer transparent
Step 7. Modify the hue and depth of certain colors
Photo editing programs will have a bar, which you can use to modify the tone of an image. This will bring out the red, blue and green tones in the photo. Shading can add a deeper look and enrich the color palette of your photo. You will also have to learn to select certain pieces of the photograph and modify the color, saturation, hue, and opacity. Learning to manipulate colors and make them stand out will enrich your photographs.
Step 8. Read some popular books on photo editing
You can buy a book on photo editing to focus on a specific aspect of photo editing, such as color correction, or you can buy a general knowledge book to learn the basics. Reading these types of books will give you a better understanding of photo editing.
Some of the most popular books on photo editing include: The Photography Book ", Bryan Peterson's Understanding Photography Field Guide", and The Photographer's Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos "
Method 3 of 3: Become a proofreader
Step 1. Take an online course on copyediting
Two websites that offer courses on copyediting are Copyediting.com and the Poynter Institute’s News University. You may also find free tutorials or guides on websites, such as YouTube. Do an online search for other courses or tutorials dealing with copyediting, and watch them to learn the basics of copying.
Step 2. Read some of the various writing manuals out there
Style guides cover topics such as punctuation, font references, and capitalization. Read manuals such as The Chicago Manual of Style "and the Associated Press Stylebook". These manuals will explain the rules that will govern the editions that you are going to make.
- Different publications will use different style manuals.
- The editing staff, or the editor-in-chief, will be able to tell you the type of style guide they use for their publications.
Step 3. Fill out online questionnaires on copyediting
Do an online search for proofreading or copyediting quizzes. These questionnaires will feature text that will have intentionally placed errors. If you don't go to school, or don't have access to other people's writing, then this routine will be a great way for you to practice.
Step 4. Offer to edit the texts that your friends have written
If you are still in school, you can gain practical experience in proofreading by helping your friends correct their work. Ask your friends if you can correct their assignments before they submit them for review. Try to find mistakes in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. If you think that a certain sentence could be structured in a better way, leave a note in the margin. Double check your source references and make sure the text makes sense.
Step 5. Follow editors on social media and join proofreading groups online
Visiting forums and following current editors will give you a more personal insight into the world of proofreading. If you meet editors online, you may be presented with opportunities to network and find jobs as a proofreader or proofreader.
Popular proofreading groups include "Copy Editors and Proofreaders," "Editors & Copyeditors Forum," and the "Freelance Editing Network." (Network of contacts of independent editors)
Step 6. Get a formal education in communications, writing, or editing
Most copyediting jobs will require you to have a college degree, at a minimum. While you may learn to correct text style without having a formal education, having a college education will provide you with fundamental instruction on grammar and sentence structure, which are skills you will need to become a master. effective style corrector.
If you want to pursue a career as a copyeditor, then having a formal education will be quite important
Step 7. Send a message to a copywriter and request an interview
One of the best ways to gain insight into the world of writing is by consulting with a working copywriter. Do an online search for copywriters and ask if they could interview you over the phone. Think about important questions, such as how they got started in the business, or what their days at work are like, so that you get a better idea of how to get started.