How Long Does It Take a Professional Video Editor to Edit a 1-2 Minute Video?

When it comes to a professional video editor, the time it takes to edit a 1-2 minute video can vary greatly based on several key factors. Understanding these can help you plan your project more effectively and communicate with your editor clearly.

Factors Influencing Video Editing Time

Complexity of the Edit:

Simple Edits: If the video involves basic cuts and transitions, the editing process could range from 1 to 3 hours. Complex Edits: For more complex edits, including color grading, intricate sound design, or special effects, the time required can stretch from 5 to 10 hours or even more.

Preparation and Planning:

The degree to which your footage, script, or storyboard is organized and prepared can have a significant impact on the editing time.

Well-Organized Footage: When footage is well-organized and the editor has a clear vision, the process can be much faster. Disorganized Footage: Conversely, disorganized footage or projects that require extensive creative direction and reorganization will naturally take longer.

Experience of the Editor:

The experience and level of familiarity with the editing software can also significantly influence the efficiency of the editing process. More experienced editors are generally more efficient and can work more quickly.

Feedback and Revisions:

Multiple Rounds of Feedback: Projects that require several rounds of feedback and revisions can significantly extend the editing time. Clear Expectations: If everyone has clear expectations and the project is well-defined, the editing process can be more streamlined.

In summary, for a straightforward edit, you can expect it to take around 1 to 3 hours. However, for more complex projects, the time required can range from 5 to 10 hours or even more.

Real-World Examples

The time required can also depend on the context and timeline of the project:

Cutbacks for News Broadcast:

Nearly a decade ago, when working with news crews, the footage for a press conference had to be ready and aired by the lunchtime news. The press crews usually had just an hour to edit, which was the maximum time they had.

Big Campaigns vs. Small Orders:

For a multi-million dollar campaign, the editing process can be intricate and require time for multiple meetings with stakeholders. Conversely, if you have a small order with a defined storyboard and only need a first cut for review, the process might take as little as 10 minutes.

Step-by-Step Guide to Video Editing

The general steps involved in video editing are as follows:

Importing Footage: Bringing the footage, including any additional B-roll, into the editing software. Selecting Footage: Choosing the most relevant and qualitatively best footage to include in the final video. Setting In and Out Points: Marking the in and out points of the footage for the edits. Assembling Footage: Creating the initial cut or assembly of the footage. Color-Grading: Adjusting the colors of the footage to achieve the desired look. Dealing with Footage Problems: Addressing any technical issues in the footage. Keying: Adding transparency to footage to remove or alter backgrounds. Processing Audio: Adjusting the sound to ensure it complements the visuals. Adding Transitions: Inserting smooth transitions between clips for a polished look. Sound Effects and Music: Adding sound effects and music to enhance the video's soundtrack. Mixing Sound: Balancing the audio to ensure good sound quality. Adding Visual Effects: Incorporating visual effects to enhance the video's visual appeal. Adding Titles and Graphics: Inserting titles, animations, and other graphic elements to convey information. Outputting and Compressing the File: Exporting the final video and compressing it for sharing and uploading. Uploading: Sharing the final video on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or social media.

The duration of each step can greatly vary, particularly if the footage is of poor quality or requires extensive reorganization. For instance, starting with color grading and audio processing before finalizing the assembly can necessitate redoing the entire project several times.

A well-organized shoot with a clear storyboard and a precise shoot plan can drastically reduce the editing time, as the editor can focus on making creative choices rather than dealing with logistical issues. Conversely, shooting unorganized footage or without a plan can significantly increase the editing time.

Preparing loglines, treatments, scripts, storyboards, and call sheets before shooting can help ensure that the footage is as useful and complete as possible, making the editing process much faster. This planning can save hours of unnecessary rework and ensure that the final product meets the desired quality standards.