Most people know what an editing sample is. You turn up at the post-production house or on the set of a blockbuster with a few audio or video tapes of scenes you’ve edited, and the production team gives you a gold star. However, not so long ago, getting an editing sample was a lot more complicated than it is now. You might have needed a studio or freelancers, and you probably didn’t have the money to spend on a fancy camera.
Now that the world of editing is a lot more accessible, thanks to services like FotoTools, the barrier to entry has been lowered. You can have all the equipment you need in your home or office, and all you need is an internet connection to access the programs and upload your work.
With accessibility comes a lot of competition. If you want to get hired as an editor, you’ll need to make sure you stand out from the crowd and show the production team and potential employers why they should choose you. The better your sample, the better. In this article, we’ll run down some of the best ways you can write an excellent editing sample and stand out from the crowd. So sit back, get comfortable, and get to work.
Pro-Tools
If you’re not familiar with Pro-Tools, it’s time to become familiar. Apple’s flagship recording software offers a lot of features for amateur and professional producers alike, but we’re going to focus on the editing side of things. You can read more about Pro-Tools in our comprehensive review, or download it for free from Apple’s website.
Though there are plenty of standalone video editors, like Windows Movie Maker, you should still consider investing in Pro-Tools. Not only does it offer incredible value for the money, but it also integrates nicely with the rest of Apple’s suite of products, like iTunes and the App Store. Plus, not all video editors are made equal, and the fact that Pro-Tools can be used natively on a Mac or PC means it can be customized to suit your needs. Most importantly, recording in Pro-Tools is a lot easier than using other, more traditional tools, and it’s a whole lot more fun.
Final Cut Pro
If you’re a fan of the classic Final Cut Pro, you’ll feel right at home cutting up videos with the latest version. What makes this product stand out from the crowd is its unique blend of simplicity and power. Once you’ve edited a few videos in Final Cut Pro, it will feel perfectly natural and effortless to move between clips and effects while arranging and trimming your footage. Though there are plenty of sophisticated video editing software products on the market, if you want to get your foot in the door for a freelance editing job, you can’t go wrong with Final Cut Pro. At the very least, it will make the production team take you seriously.
Avid Media Composer
If you’re not familiar with Avid Media Composer, it’s time to become familiar. This software is often referred to as the “father of modern video editing,” and it introduced several groundbreaking features to the industry, like the ability to cut on multiple tracks and the integration of still images into a moving story. Though there are plenty of sophisticated media editing products available on the market, if you want to get your foot in the door for a freelance editing job, you can’t go wrong with Avid MC. At the very least, it will make the production team take you seriously.
Sony Vegas Pro
If you’re serious about creating polished videos and want to avoid doing all the work yourself, you can’t go wrong with Vegas Pro. This video editor from Sony offers several tools to let you assemble your film, offering a complete solution for professional video producers. It’s easy enough to use, and it comes with an array of useful features. Not only can you pull clips together using the sophisticated cut-editing tool, you can also add special effects, music, and more.
What makes this product stand out from the crowd is its intuitive design and its versatility. Though there are plenty of sophisticated video editing products out there, if you want to get your foot in the door for a freelance editing job, you can’t go wrong with Vegas Pro. At the very least, it will make the production team take you seriously.
Comprehensive Review
If you want to make sure your editing skills are up to par, it’s important to do your research. Luckily for you, we’ve already done the legwork for you and reviewed several video editing software products. In this article, we’re going to walk you through reviewing the best video editing software for a comprehensive look at everything it has to offer. This is a great place to start if you’re new to video editing or if you’re looking to upgrade your existing software. This review will cover the following software products:
- Final Cut Pro
- Avid Media Composer
- Sony Vegas Pro
- Microsoft Windows Movie Maker
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Pixar ShortCut
- Ulead Video Edit Pro
- Magix Movie Edit Pro
- Wondershare Filmora
- Apple Motion
- Windows Movie Maker
- DaVinci Resolve 14
Features
What features do you look for in video editing software? Depending on your experience, you might want something quite different. In general, you’ll want to look for the following things:
- Interface: Is the user interface easy to use and understand?
- Functionality: Can you easily access and use the tools you need to complete your task?
- Customization: Can you easily modify the interface to suit your needs?
- Integration: Is there integration with other software products, like Soundcloud; PDF; Photos; etc?
- Value: How much does it cost?
To help you find the best video editing software for you, we’re compiling a list of the top features available in each product. This is a great place to start if you’re new to video editing or if you’re looking to upgrade your existing software. This review will cover the following features: