[Video Editing Roadmap] Steps from Hobby or Sideline to Professional! How beginners can learn on their own

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I want to start video editing!” I want to start editing videos…” I started to look up how to do it, but I don’t know how to learn how to do it… I don’t know how to make video editing my career… This is a path that everyone with no experience goes down.
Even if you say “video editing” in one word, what you need to learn depends on what kind of video you are going to produce.

Here is a roadmap for beginners who want to learn video editing on their own.
We will also show you the path for those who want to try video editing as a hobby, as well as for those who want to make it a side job or become a professional creator. We hope you will use the roadmap introduced here as a reference to become the video editor and creator you envision.

Positioning of this Roadmap

The “Video Editing Roadmap” on other sites can be imagined as a YouTuber-like video. You add a ticker, background music, sound effects… This is a general type of video.
It explains how to edit videos to produce such videos, along with the steps involved, recommended editing software, and how to study on your own.

The video editing roadmap that we, Team HENSHIN, propose is not like that.
It is a roadmap for video production utilizing 3DCG and VFX.
Of course, we touch on general video editing and explain the procedures to make it work.
However, the main subject is to be able to do special editing such as 3DCG and VFX. Rather than “video editor,” “video creator” is probably closer to the image.

We hope you will take a look at this roadmap based on these assumptions.

Learn about the video production process

There is not a day that goes by that we do not see a “video” on YouTube or social networking sites, but do you know the production process? Let’s start by learning about the video production process.
Here we introduce the general flow of video production.

Step1. Planning

The first step is “planning,” which involves a variety of uses for video, including videos used for commercials and advertisements, as well as videos distributed on social networking sites such as YouTube.
Video can be used in a variety of ways, including for promotion, advertising revenue, sales of video content, and so on. After the purpose of the video is determined, such as for promotion, advertising revenue, sales of video content, etc., we will come up with a plan to achieve that purpose.

From casting and location, we decide on character and storyboards and consider where and what kind of cuts are necessary. The type of editing to be done is also often considered at the stage of creating the storyboards.

We do not necessarily do all of these things.
For example, let’s say you are producing a video for a gluttonous group YouTuber, and the group members are filming at home. Then, inevitably, you don’t have to think about casting and location.
The plan is to think about what to eat, how to structure the video, what parts of the video to show, how to edit, and so on.

In this way, the plan is finalized after the purpose of producing the video has been established. The content of the “plan” varies greatly depending on the situation.

Step2. Filming

Once the project is completed, we proceed to the actual shooting. Before the actual shooting, location scouting may be conducted to confirm the shooting location.
The equipment required for filming will vary depending on the project. A greenback set may be used for cameras, lighting, stabilizers, tripods, and compositing.

Generally, which scenes will be shot and at what angle of view is decided during the planning stage, but it is often decided at the time of shooting.
It is advisable to shoot with editing in mind.

It is also a good idea for the cameraman to shoot the best shots for the project and make suggestions to the onsite staff.
When a small group of people are producing a video, the performer or video editor may also serve as the cameraman. That is why it is advisable to know the video production process as well as the work related to video editing (some people receive the material and edit it remotely, but it is also advisable to know the shooting process).

Step3. Material Preparation

After filming is complete, prepare the materials to be used in the video. Materials include effects, CG modeling, sound effects, etc. to be used in the video. Font and ticker designs are also materials. If insert materials are needed, they are envisioned in advance in the planning process and prepared at the time of shooting.

The man-hours required for this also vary greatly depending on the content of the video. It is a good idea to check with the client as materials used in past videos may be used again.

It is not necessarily necessary to collect all the materials at the material preparation stage. Sometimes you may find that materials are missing during editing, or you may need to collect and produce additional materials to create a more luxurious production.
Preparing materials in advance will make the editing process go more smoothly. Try to prepare as much as possible.

Step4. Editing

After obtaining footage (shooting data) and preparing materials, we will begin the editing process.
First, we will proceed with cut editing. Cut editing is the process of arranging the necessary footage and cutting out unnecessary parts.
It is desirable to finish the cut editing first, because it is time inefficient to do other tasks such as adding subtitles and sound effects in parallel with the cut editing.

Editing is done by utilizing CG and VFX for each cut scene. In addition, we will also add tickers, sound effects, etc. here.
In this way, all scenes are edited to complete a single video.

After editing, it is important to re-watch the video for reconfirmation. If you have a client, be sure to check the video before delivery.
In some cases, you may receive a request for revisions after submission. It is important to understand the revisions and respond to them. Otherwise, even if you go through the trouble of making revisions, you may end up making revisions that are different from the client’s intentions, and it may be a waste of time.

By Type! Roadmap for Video Editors

Now that you understand that there are many different types of “videos” and that the production process differs accordingly, let’s take a look at the roadmap for the different types of video editors.
From here, we will introduce a roadmap for each type of video editor, based on the type of video editor you actually want to be. Please take a look at it while thinking about why you want to be a video editor and what you want to become when you become a video editor.

As we mentioned at the beginning, this section is a roadmap for video editors who utilize 3DCG and VFX.

If you want to produce simple VFX videos as a hobby

A simple VFX video is like adding effects to attack motions and magic. If you want to produce VFX videos as a hobby, it is advisable to practice the expressions you want to try as much as you can.

There is a wide range of VFX, such as fire, water, lightning, wind, smoke, and explosions, so start by knowing what kind of video you want to make and what kind of expression you want to use in the first place.
Then, learn about the expressions you actually want to try in tutorials, etc., and incorporate them into your own videos.

Required skills and PC

Compositing software (After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, etc.)

Compositing software is essential for producing VFX videos. Specific software includes After Effects and DaVinci Resolve. These software are well known as major software in Japan.

Naturally, these software are designed to enable various video expressions with a single software. Even if you install the software and look at the screen, you may not understand it at all if you see it for the first time.
First, learn how to look at the screen and understand what words such as “composition” and “layer” in the toolbar mean and what kind of functions they have, even if only vaguely.

For PCs that can run these software programs, you can also find spec tables on the official websites of the software programs. Basically, there is no problem if you choose a PC while referring to the spec table.
As for the price range, a PC costing about 50,000 yen for a tutorial or 200,000 yen class PC can be used for complicated expressions.

Learning and practice methods

Think about the expression you want to do
Practice tutorials

That’s it? you may think, but basically, you are limited to watching the tutorial and just practicing.

At this point, it is very important to practice. The tutorial videos will show you the process of how it is done, but it is important to actually try editing by yourself so that you will not be satisfied just by watching the tutorial. There are many aspects that can only be understood through practice, such as being plagued by unexpected errors or noticing parts that are omitted in the tutorials.

It is also a good idea to set a rule for yourself, such as “Do one tutorial video a day. By doing so, you will deepen your understanding of how to use the software and its functions. As you do more, you will connect the dots and become more proficient at using the software.
Basically, it is advisable to repeat this process of learning.

Below are some tutorials that Team HENSHIN members have actually done.

Dragon Ball Kamehameha

[NARUTO’s RASENMARU]

If you want to produce full-scale VFX videos including 3DCG as a hobby

The production of videos that include 3DCG is positioned as a development of the hobbyist type of VFX video production. Even in this case, it is important to practice and pursue the expression you want to achieve.

Compared to videos that only use VFX to synthesize materials, the software used and the PC specifications required are higher. Naturally, the difficulty level of learning will also increase.
Since 3DCG is utilized, the range of models (characters, backgrounds, etc.) that you want to express in CG, what kind of animation you want to use, and what kind of effects you want to apply after moving the models, etc., will be considerably broadened. What kind of effects can be applied after the model has been moved?

If you want to create a character from scratch, for example, you will need to go into the realm of character design and model creation, so you will need to learn even more in depth within the world of CG.

Required skills and PC

Compositing software (After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, etc.)
3DCG software (Blender, Maya, etc.)

In addition to the compositing software required for VFX, you will also need software for 3DCG animation. Typical software includes Blender and Maya.

These require different operations and tasks than compositing software. It is recommended that you know how to read the screen and the functions of the software, even if only roughly, to make learning easier.

As for PC specifications, refer to the specification list on the official website of each software. The minimum cost for a tutorial is about 100,000 yen, and 300,000 yen is enough to run 3DCG software comfortably.

Learning and practice methods

Think about the expression you want to do
Practice tutorials

As with the previous section on learning methods, it is important to think about what kind of expression you want to achieve with CG and practice tutorials.
First, solidify the basics by completing tutorials. The expressions you want to use are not always explained as they are in tutorials. That is why we will try to solidify the basics and incorporate them into our own expressions.

There are many things to learn, including model creation (modeling), animation to move models, lighting to make them blend naturally into the video, and rendering to incorporate what you have created into the video. You should proceed with your learning according to what you want to express. By doing so, you will be able to connect what you have learned and handle it as your own expression.

Here are some tutorial videos that Team HENSHIN members have actually referred to.

Modeling and texturing a chair

[Live-action composite of a jet in the real world]

If you want to earn about 50,000 yen per month on the side for fun

To make video editing using VFX and 3DCG as a side job, you need to be able to produce and express not only what you want to express, but also what is actually in demand in the world. If you are willing to work at a side job level, it would be a good idea to find a job with a good balance between the expression you like and the demand in the world.

If you simply want to earn 50,000 yen a month on the side or make video editing your side job, you do not need to do VFX or 3DCG.
Since the focus here is only on VFX and 3DCG, if you are such a person, it would be faster to read another article that comes up by searching for “video editing roadmap” and so on.
You should be able to browse information on learning and how to do general video editing that does not require special editing skills.

Required skills and PC

Compositing software (After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, etc.)
3DCG software (Blender, Maya, etc.)
※ (would be) better if…
Communication that responds honestly to client demand
Willingness to constantly learn the latest software such as AI editing software

Compositing software skills are required for VFX videos, and 3DCG software skills are required for videos that utilize computer graphics. The skills required will vary depending on the type of work you take on.
If you want to have fun on the side, it is advisable to learn what you are good at and express your interests, and apply them to your work.

In addition to the skill to use the software, you also need to have good communication skills.
It is necessary to accurately listen to the client’s requests and proceed with production in a way that there are no conflicts of recognition. It is important to ask questions when you do not understand something, and to consult with the client when a problem arises, so that the work can be carried out smoothly.
This is the foundation of being a member of society who faces his/her work. Although it is not directly related to the roadmap, it is useful to learn it because it is important for everything.

And it is also important to have the desire to grow, to constantly study and improve your skills.
There is a vast amount of technology in VFX and 3DCG, and it is nearly impossible for one person to learn it all. That is why it is important to study and work hard on a regular basis so that you can become a highly marketable talent.

And nowadays, advances in AI technology have led to the appearance of software that can cut out or erase people, software that can easily perform CG synthesis, and even software that can generate video from text. Thus, in order not to be left behind by the latest technology, daily study and a desire to grow are necessary.

How to learn and practice

Market Research
Study in tutorials
Dissemination of what you have practiced

In order to make it a side business, we will first conduct market research to see what kind of expression there is a need for. Basically, we will use crowdsourcing services to conduct the research.
For details on market research, please refer to the next section, “Process to Obtain Video Editing Projects,” for an explanation.

Once you have identified the expressions in need, you will practice tutorials on the expressions you want to work on. It is better to choose the one you “want to do” so that you can proceed without falling behind.
The flow of the tutorial is the same as the others.

Then, you will be able to communicate the results of your work to the public.
Register a new account on a social networking service such as Twitter. Post your completed works, etc., after going through the tutorial you practiced there. It is preferable to post your own original work that you created using the tutorial rather than posting the tutorial content as is.
It is also a good idea to use hashtags when posting. However, please note that adding tags such as “beginner” may be counterproductive for recruiting work.
Another way is to follow and interact with accounts that are disseminating information related to VFX and CG. If you get to know them well, you may be able to get a job through social networking sites.

In addition to posting information on social networking sites, use crowdsourcing services to obtain projects.

If you want to make a living as a professional video editor

One path is to become a professional video producer and use VFX and 3DCG for commercials, movies, and other gory activities. Naturally, more advanced skills are required than any of the other types we have introduced so far.

The major difference between this type and the side job type is that you need to think beyond video production. It will be difficult to make a living solely from video production if you just produce videos.
Video is only a means to an end. It is necessary to understand what the client wants to accomplish and to take an appropriate approach to it. Therefore, try to work to not only fulfill the client’s needs, but also to go beyond them.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Required skills and PC

Compositing software (After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, etc.)
3DCG software (Blender, Maya, etc.)
Willingness to constantly learn the latest software such as AI editing software
Flexibility to respond to requests and sometimes make suggestions
Sales skills that make you want to ask for help

Skills in handling compositing and 3DCG software and studying the latest software are the same as in the previous section. If you want to make a living as a professional, you need to hone your skills to be able to express yourself in a wider range of ways.

Of course, it is important to communicate smoothly with clients, but “just doing the assigned work” does not make you a professional. After listening to the client’s goals, you should also consider for yourself whether the goals can really be fulfilled with the approach you are responding to. If the goals cannot be met, sometimes it is necessary to make suggestions here.
In this way, a professional’s ability to respond flexibly to the situation becomes his or her competence.

It can be said that this is something that can only be acquired through experience, but of course, not everyone is able to do this from the beginning.
Even if you don’t have a lot of experience, you can cultivate communication skills and responsiveness through various things, such as putting yourself in the other person’s shoes and taking the whole picture of the work into consideration, not just your own editorial work.
I won’t mention this because it is a digression from the roadmap, but it is an important thing that you can learn in other jobs besides video editing.

And when you think about making a living, you also need sales skills.
You will not get work just by waiting. You need to have the sales skills to convey in concrete terms what you can do and what kind of requests you can fulfill, so that people will think, “I want to work with this person! You need to have the sales skills to make people think, “I want to work with this person!
Understand your strengths, such as having advanced skills, a wealth of experience, and the ability to handle images with care and passion, as if your soul is in the details of the images, and be able to convey these strengths to the customer.

Learning and practice methods

Market Research
Study in tutorials
Disseminating what you have practiced
Developing customer negotiation skills

From “market research” to “dissemination of what you have practiced” is as described in the previous section, but you will need a wider range of skills than you had when you were working on the side. Without sticking to the expression you want to do, proceed with your studies so that you can flexibly respond to needs and gradually move into niche areas.

One point that is different from a side job is that you need to develop customer negotiation skills. Experience is more important than study, so you have no choice but to start as a side job and develop your skills in the process.
In most cases, the side job is a one-on-one relationship between the client and the recipient (you). However, there are many people involved on the client’s side as well, although they may not be visible. Producers, planners, directors, photographers, and many others can be mentioned in addition to those who do the editing.
That is why it is necessary to work from a higher perspective, to move from being “just a worker” to being able to enter the upper layers.

You also need to be more client-conscious in your work.
For example, it is necessary to look at the creation of data from the client’s point of view. In the course of 3DCG production, there will be times when the client will say, “There is no turning back after this point…” (linear editing). Therefore, by setting a save point in advance, work can be resumed from a point in the middle of the process in the event of a revision.

In this way, it is important to be able to work with the client in mind. Naturally, 3DCG skills need to be enhanced on a daily basis, and the ability to respond flexibly to the client’s needs is also necessary.

Process of obtaining video editing projects

We have described four types of video editors, two of which are designed to make video editing a career. So how do you actually go about getting work?
Here, we will explain the process of acquiring projects.

Step1. Market research

The first thing to do in order to make video editing work for you is market research.
Register with a crowdsourcing service and see if there is demand for the type of video work you want to do. Crowdsourcing services such as Coconara, CrowdWorks, and Video Work.com are available, and it is a good idea to register with many services to broaden your horizons rather than focusing on one service.

Once you have registered with a service, you will be able to research what types of projects are available. Each service has its own categories, so you can narrow down your search from there or use the search window to search for keywords.
Basically, job openings are set by job title or “this is the kind of video I want to make. VFX for smoke and dust…” Flame effects…” In most cases, the job application does not refer to a specific VFX or 3DCG technique or technology, such as “I want to make a horror movie” or “I want to make a horror movie. They are usually recruited under such titles as “I want to make a horror movie” or “I want to make a PV for a company. In some cases, the details of the application may specifically state “this is the kind of expression we want to make,” but in many cases, there is no such description, so it is a good idea to ask the recruiter a question.

In the market research stage, it is not a problem if you know what kind of VFX and 3DCG jobs are available.
If you feel that your skills are lacking, study and improve your skills.

Step2. Creating a portfolio

A portfolio (track record) is indispensable in order to win projects. It is best to show actual images of your work, as words alone, such as “I can do this,” do not create a clear image of what you can do, and different people will have different images.

It is also a good idea to create your own website and post your portfolio, or use social networking services as a portfolio.
Since it is a portfolio for sales, it is difficult to have people see it other than by disclosing it yourself. On the other hand, social networking sites are a great way to spread the word and interact with others.

To let people know how skilled you are, be conscious of showing a variety of skills rather than uploading the same kind of video.
For example, rather than uploading many videos utilizing flame effects, it is preferable to post videos utilizing many effects such as flame, water, lightning, and wind. In addition to effects, we recommend that you also post videos of live-action compositing, motion graphics and modelig production, etc., so that the viewer can see a list of “what expressions you can do.

Step3. Sales Activities

Once you have your portfolio ready, you can start the actual sales process by searching again for jobs on the crowdsourcing service you registered with in Step 1 and applying for positions you are interested in. When you do so, be sure to disclose your portfolio so that people can see your skills.

In addition to applying for jobs that already exist, there is also the “scout type” (exhibit type), where you are looking for people who are interested in working for you.
Again, it is important to disclose your portfolio, but it is also important to show your human side. For example, “I will always reply within 3 hours,” “I will always meet deadlines,” “I will be flexible and accommodating to clients,” etc. It is a good idea to show your personality so that people will want to request work from you.

Step4.Receive orders for ongoing projects

Even if you get a project and do the work, your income will be unstable if it is a one-time job. One-time work is fine if you want to do it as a side job, but if you want to make a living, it is desirable to obtain ongoing projects.

In order to receive ongoing projects, it is effective to state in the job application that you wish to receive ongoing projects and conduct sales activities. Since it costs the client various costs to secure new personnel each time, it is easier to ask the same person to work for you on an ongoing basis.
However, there is also a risk that the contract will be terminated if the person does not perform well. That is why it is important to give your best effort to the job the first time and make the client think, “I would like to continue to work with this person.

Here are some actual examples from Team HENSHIN.
We were once contracted to produce a live-action composite YouTube video for a one-off job. We were able to satisfy the client’s needs by carefully responding to the client’s requests and offering suggestions for expression.
It was a one-time job, but a few years later, the client launched a new project and asked me to join the project.
As you can see, even a one-time job can lead to a continuing project if we handle it with care. Be attentive to all jobs and perform well.

Can I teach myself to edit videos?

さて、ここまで読んでみて最も気になることが「独学でできるようになるのか？」ということでしょう。もちろん、独学でもできるものもありますが、中には独学では厳しいものもあります。
ここでは、どのようなケースなら独学でできて、できないのはどのようなケースかをご紹介していきます。

Self-study cases

It is possible to learn basically anything on your own if you take the time.
Whether it is designing and modeling characters and backgrounds, CG animation, live-action compositing, or VFX, it is basically possible to improve to a certain level.

However, the way you study, the amount of enthusiasm you have, how much time you are able to spend on it, and the specifications of your PC that can withstand the work you are doing will also affect your learning. The speed of learning will vary depending on these factors.

The key to success in self-study is to stay motivated, based on the assumption that it will take time to acquire skills that can be put to practical use.
As mentioned above, 3DCG covers a wide range of fields, so the level of skills acquired will vary depending on whether you choose to study a variety of subjects in a shallow manner or a single subject in depth. If you want to make a career out of it, it is a good idea to focus your learning on areas where there is demand, while gradually expanding your skills.

A tough case for self-study

For the most part, it is possible to learn 3DCG skills on one’s own. However, there are some that are difficult to learn on one’s own.

For example, this applies to Marvel productions, which require large-scale simulations. Marvel studios have developed their own physics engines to produce large-scale disaster and destruction scenes in their films.
In addition, there are some things that can only be handled with knowledge of mathematics and physics, and without the help of experts, the results may not be as good as desired.

A specific example is Houdini, a 3DCG software that is capable of advanced physics simulation. To use this software, the aforementioned knowledge of mathematics and physics, as well as programming thinking, is required.
Since it is difficult to study on one’s own, it is effective to join a video production company and learn at a professional site, or learn from a teacher at a vocational school.

Introduction of Team HENSHIN’s video editing course

As we have explained how to proceed with the learning process for each type of video editor, you may be wondering what kind of materials you should use to learn.
Team HENSHIN is currently preparing a video editing course in VFX and 3DCG. We are working hard to create a course that will raise your skills to a level where you can make a living as a preparatory video editor.
When the course is completed, we will introduce it again in this section.

While the courses that can be learned systematically are listed above, we also provide a variety of information on video editing on this website. We hope that you will take a look at this section first to learn more.

Follow the path of the video editor you want to be!

We have divided video editors into four types and explained the roadmap for each. There are many different paths when it comes to video editing, and what you should do will differ depending on how you want to work.
Once again, please think about what you want to become and follow the path of a video editor.

Finally, VFX and 3DCG can transform (HENSHIN) the performer through video. Please use video to HENSHIN to become the person you want to be.

Team HENSHIN also offers job opportunities. If you are interested in working with us, please contact us from the Contact Us page.