10 Best Video Editing Courses Online Classes
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Our Top Pick
Foundations of Video: The Art of Editing by Norman Hollyn
Presented by a veteran of film and TV, Norman Hollyn’s incredibly insightful course offers you not just an overview of editing, but everything you need to create a cinematic masterpiece.
Looking at a wide variety of genres, filming styles, softwares and scripts, this is a one stop shop for anybody looking to become a professional-quality video editor – not for the average vlogger!
Cost: $50
Length: 3h 47m
Platform: Linkedin Learning
We’re operating in a world where one good video can lead to a massive social following.
Mike Henry
Nowadays, becoming a vlogger is easier than ever – all you need is a cell phone and an internet connection and you’re ready to take Youtube by storm. That being said, the best content is the videos that have been professionally edited.
Whether you’re looking to brush up on existing skills or start from scratch, there are hundreds of online courses available to improve your video editing abilities. Don’t worry about wading through them though – we’re here with a top ten!
Allow us to take you through some of the best classes and courses available right now, at a range of price points and focusing on a wide variety of softwares. Whether you’re a Windows Movie Maker fan til you die, or a Final Cut Pro devotee, we’ve got you covered!
Don’t worry if you’re still finding questions – we also have a handy guide on how to choose the right course for you, as well as a set of frequently asked questions to help you on your way. Good luck!
The Best Video Editing Courses (According To Us)
1. Foundations of Video: The Art of Editing – by Norman Hollyn
2. Video Editing: Moving from Production to Post – by Amy DeLouise
3. Video Editing For Beginners: Learn How To Edit – by Christian Figueroa
4. Mastering Final Cut Pro – by Jason Cox and Nick Harauz
5. The Complete Video Production Bootcamp – by Phil Ebiner, William Carnahan, Sam Shimizu-Jones
6. Premiere Pro 2020 Essential Training – by Ashley Kennedy
7. Photoshop for Video Editors – by Larry Jordan
8. Video Editing with Final Cut Pro X – From Beginner to Youtuber – by Ali Abdaal
9. Video Editing & Production Course – by Shaw Academy
10. Become A Video Editor – by Lynda.com
Deep Dive Into Our Top Picks (Review Section)
1. Foundations of Video: The Art of Editing – by Norman Hollyn
Pros
- Run by legendary editor and media expert Norman Hollyn (posthumously – his course remains online for anyone to use)
- Covers editing and post-production
- Almost forty lessons available to watch, all available on demand
Cons
- Not bang up to date in terms of any specific editing software – avoid if you’re looking for exact specifics
This may be one course on a list of ten, but there’s a reason it’s our top pick. Not specific to any brand of editing software, whether you’re using Premiere, Final Cut, Avid or one of the many other programs, you’ll be more than equipped.
This is a course that anybody can take – from complete and utter beginner to editing whizz, you’re sure to brush up on existing skills and gain some incredibly valuable new ones.
Although Normal Hollyn is no longer with us, his courses stays available to study as a testament to his fantastic talent – they have helped tens of thousands of online learners understand the true craft behind visual storytelling.
2. Video Editing: Moving from Production to Post – by Amy DeLouise
Pros
- Run by two highly skilled, certified instructors
- Specifically covers Final Cut Pro X and Premiere Pro projects
- Highly affordable, considering the content included
Cons
- Not suitable for editing beginners
Another Linkedin Learning offering, Amy DeLouise presents a course for amateur editors with some experience – Moving from Production to Post is a great course to maximise the efficiency of your editing endeavours!
The course is supported by Luisa Winters, a Certified Instructor for both Adoble and Apple software – her vast, wide-ranging knowledge will help sharpen your existing technical skills and overcome any hurdles.
Thousands of satisfied students can attest that the combined powers of these highly talented women will greatly benefit your editing work, in all aspects of the process.
If you’re looking to step it up a gear or start working professionally, this is how you start.
3. Video Editing For Beginners: Learn How To Edit – by Christian Figueroa
Pros
- Available in a free or premium version – the latter comes with a certificate of completion, q&a with the instructor and direct messages at any time
- Covers the history of video editing as well as some theoretical concepts useful for those in higher education
- Teach yourself to edit a video from start to finish
Cons
- Covers theory as well as editing skills – those looking for solely for specific software tutorials may wish to look elsewhere
Want to learn how to edit from the ground up? Allow Christian Figueroa to equip you with the skills to complete an entire project using any video editing software of your choice, as well as the explanations behind every tool and key terminologies.
And you know the very best part? You can access all of this content completely free! His thorough videos allow absolute beginners to give video editing a shot without even committing one dollar to the process. That’s one hell of a deal!
An hour and forty minutes in total, each topic is confined to an individual clip, explained clearly and concisely. Watch everything in sequence or skip straight to exactly what you want to know – it’s up to you.
4. Mastering Final Cut Pro – by Jason Cox and Nick Harauz
Pros
- Covers video, audio, transitions, effects and transforming, as well as importing and exporting files
- Eloquent, concise instruction to be followed on a weekly basis
- Financial aid available
Cons
- Requires several hours of commitment a week
If Final Cut Pro is your software of choice, check out this Learnquest course with more than 18,700 students already enrolled. Two certified Apple instructors are on hand to teach you everything you need to know about this popular program.
Far from being just a set of videos like some courses, you’ll also have access to readings, quizzes and full contact with your tutors. Be advised that you are required to commit quite a bit of time each week to this course!
Although experience with video production, editing terminology and a basic understanding of the macOS is helpful, none of these thing are essential to take part – so don’t freak out if you need a little extra help!
5. The Complete Video Production Bootcamp – by Phil Ebiner, William Carnahan, Sam Shimizu-Jones
Pros
- Presented by three highly skilled tutors
- Ready for completely new video creators – no former experience necessary
- Boost your views and revenue – drive new traffic to your channel/business
Cons
- A camera (whether on your smartphone, a webcam, a DSLR or plain old digital) is required to complete some exercises
Taking you through the entire process of creating totally professional videos, this is more than an editing course: it’s a complete videomaking bootcamp!
We’re talking filming, audio, editing, post-production, light setup, online engagement… the works!
Of course, if you’re looking for a course that’s specifically focused on editing, this isn’t the one for you. If you’re looking to revolutionize your whole vlogging life, though… you’re in the right place.
6. Premiere Pro 2020 Essential Training – by Ashley Kennedy
Pros
- Everything you need to know for navigating the latest edition of Adobe Premiere Pro
- Suitable for those brand new to the software but also helpful for experienced editors!
- Instructor with more than a decade of editing experience, with two successful textbooks on the subject
Cons
- Very specific to one editing software – not necessarily an actual con, but this course is hard to fault!
Ready to conquer Adobe Premiere Pro? This totally up to date course from published editing guru Ashley Kennedy will have you go from beginner to editing expert (or thereabouts…) in just a couple of hours of learning.
All of the clips are perfectly organised by category and everything is presented clearly and concisely – you’ll have no trouble finding exactly what you’re looking for if there’s a particular skill you want to learn!
7. Photoshop for Video Editors – by Larry Jordan
Pros
- No prior knowledge of Photoshop required
- Suitable for Mac and Windows users alike
- Works for all versions of Photoshop from CS6 and later
Cons
- Not specifically about the whole video editing process – more about how to incorporate Photoshop into your editing
LarryJordan.com are renowned for their online editing courses and this excellent one acquaints video editors with Photoshop software through four training films, a folder of practise work and a PDF of handy keyboard shortcuts!
Plenty of tools are covered, though be advised this is designed for beginners – if you’re familiar with it more broadly, this isn’t the course for you. Take your Youtube videos from amateur to professional, with just a few new skills.
8. Video Editing with Final Cut Pro X – From Beginner to Youtuber – by Ali Abdaal
Pros
- Run by a Cambridge graduate with a decade of editing experience
- Covers absolutely everything a beginner needs to know for Final Cut Pro X
- 33 clear, concise lessons
Cons
- Focuses on one specific software
Let successful Youtuber Ali Abdaal show you how it’s done! Take your editing to a whole new level and learn everything necessary to get started with Final Cut Pro X. Go from beginner to vlogger in just three simple stages.
Intermediates or advanced users may pick up one or two neat tricks, but this is definitely aimed more at those brand new to the software. Just over three hours of learning will take you exactly where you need to go!
9. Video Editing & Production Course – by Shaw Academy
Pros
- 30 day free trial – cancel with no hassle
- 16 weeks, 32 lessons and 4 online modules
- Certificate of completion
Cons
- Focuses on film production and editing – not a straight-up edit course
Become a master filmmaker with this epic course from Shaw Academy, boasting over 50,000 successful graduates. Suitable for all skill levels and certified by a globally recognised endorsement, it’s certainly one you can rely on.
Covering the techniques needed to capture quality footage, advanced lighting and sound tips, equipment advice and the importance of storytelling – just to name a few subjects – this four month course will keep you busy for a while!
10. Become A Video Editor – by Lynda.com
Pros
- Covers a variety of editing software
- Over 22 hours of expert-created video tutorials
- Certification to prove your achievements
Cons
- Requires serious commitment – not for the casual editor!
Last but not least, gain the essentials necessary to master video editing with this course from Lynda.com, allowing you to practice with industry standard editing tools from Premiere Pro to Final Cut Pro X.
Combining the knowledge of Norman Holyn (1952-2019), Ashley Kennedy and Rob Garrot, you’ll have decades of editing expertise at your disposal. Covering a variety of topics from color correction to the history of editing, this is the total package.
How To Choose The Best Video Editing Course (Informational Guide)
The following are factors you should consider when selecting your course – ensuring you opt for the most suitable one available will make it that much more enjoyable!
Existing Skills
Your course needs will be drastically different as a complete novice than they would be if you had already begun practising with editing software. If you’re a beginner, make sure you pick a course for beginners! Don’t get in over your head.
Length of Course
Some of us are blessed with copious amounts of free time – others not so much. Depending on how much spare time you have, choose a course that fits around everything else you have to do.
Otherwise, it’ll be a total waste of time and cash!
Software Covered
Everyone has favorites – if you already understand how to use a particular editing program, or want to learn how to use a very specific software, then make sure your course of choice actually covers what you’re looking to study!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there free video editing software available?
Anybody with an Apple device will know that iMovie comes free and pre-installed on most of their computers and laptops. As editing softwares go, this one is intuitive, easy to use, and most importantly… free!
However, if you’re not lucky enough to use an iMac or a Macbook in your daily life, there are some free Windows-friendly alternatives. The most popular amongst these are definitely Lightworks, Hitfilm Express and Shortcut.
Although all three are free to download, it’s worth bearing in mind that each also comes with a Pro or paid version – these allow you access to a far broader range of editing, downloading and exporting tools.
Paying for software will always get you better equipment, unfortunately!
Which video editing software is the best for YouTube?
The answer to this question is totally dependent on who you’re asking! Every Youtuber will have their favorite software, so it’s all about trying to find the program that works best for your personal video production needs.
That being said, we can tell you which are the most commonly used software clients amongst Youtubers globally: those would be Final Cut Pro X, iMovie and Adobe Premiere Pro CC. Unsurprisingly, those are also the most expensive!
How long is the Premiere Pro free trial?
Those looking to try out Adobe’s Premiere Pro editing software before committing the cash – rejoice! You can get a one week free trial, totally free and legal, via their website. It starts as soon as you check out and lasts for seven full days.
Be careful! After the trial is up, you will automatically be converted to the full, paid, Creative Cloud membership and your card will be charged. Make sure to cancel the trial before this point if you don’t want a surprise deduction!
About the Author Jacob M.
Jacob has a background in finance and engineering. Outside of his day job, he is a lifelong learner, who enjoys reading, taking online courses, and writing about what he's learned.
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