Learn Video Editing with 0

I learnt video editing at University

I absolutely rinsed the student discount section for Adobe.

However, I didn’t actually need to pay a thing.

• As long as you have access to a computer that can run an editing programme and an internet connection, you can learn for FREE

How would I learn paying £0?

Step one, download DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci is an absolutely amazing program. Charging £0 to download and use, I would get it downloaded and set up on my computer.

£0

Step two, find a tutorial

YouTube or even a free 14-day trial on Skillshare will suffice. I found I learnt a whole load better editing alongside a tutorial.

I learnt Premiere through Dan Loves Adobe: https://youtu.be/MqwlW76sFCM

There will be an equivalent for DaVinchi available.

At the start I would have the editing program up and the tutorial alongside.

Find a tutorial that talks you through the dashboard of the program so you can get familiar with it

The most important point here is you explore what all the buttons do. You don’t need to remember them all, some you’ll be using loads. Just click through and see what they do.

Alternatively, one that takes you through the creation of a project, and allows you to edit alongside, rather than being talked to and having to retain everything.

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Step three, get learning

If you’ve got a follow-along course, great! Work through that and find some more!

After you finish — and feel semi-confident about using the programme — I would create myself ‘client briefs’

In order to do this I would use ChatGPT — I would ask it something along the lines of:

“I am trying to learn video editing. I want you to create 3 different client briefs with business names I can follow to create a video. Please lay out the deliverables for each one”

Here’s an example output it gave me:

Client Brief 1: Business Name: “Healthy Bites Cafe”

Description: Healthy Bites Cafe is a local restaurant that focuses on providing nutritious and delicious meals. They want to create a promotional video to showcase their menu, atmosphere, and commitment to health-conscious dining.

Deliverables:

A 1–2 minute promotional video featuring the cafe’s interior, highlighting the cozy and welcoming ambiance.

Showcase the preparation of a few signature dishes, emphasizing their healthy ingredients and appealing presentation.

Capture customer testimonials and interviews expressing their satisfaction with the quality and taste of the food.

Incorporate vibrant visuals and upbeat background music to create an engaging and energetic video.

Include text overlays to highlight key menu items, special offers, and contact information.

Get the output from ChatGPT — alter the prompt if needed — and get to work!

I would immediately visit Pexels, a free video and picture site to get my content.

Load it all up and see what you can create based off of the deliverables good ‘ol AI gave you.

This is very similar to how you will work in a video editing job — deliverables are important to adhere to.

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Step four, rinse and repeat

if your goal is to be employed as a video editor, you’re going to need a portfolio OR the ability to create a bespoke application video for your employer.

there’s no better way to do this than to keep trying to make different videos and content.

Use your practice projects as your portfolio and upload them to google drive and update when you think you’ve created a better piece.

If they ask for your portfolio you can send over the link to your google drive.

I got my first job based off of a video about the drink ‘Prime’. I made myself a brief, found free footage someone shot of Prime and was giving away for free and just made what I thought looked good.

Months later my employer quoted that video as being the clincher in why he hired me.

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Step five, Whatever you want it to be!

Video editing can open a lot of routes — that’s why it's so great!

Jake.