Why Does Video Editing Take So Long and How to Speed It Up

The process of video editing can often feel like a marathon, with many hurdles and delays along the way. Multiple stakeholders, inconsistent footage, time constraints, and outdated hardware can all contribute to the long and laborious nature of the task. In this article, we will explore some of the reasons behind the long editing process and provide practical solutions to help you speed up the workflow.

Multiple Stakeholders and Self-Approval

One of the primary reasons video editing can take a long time is the involvement of multiple stakeholders, each with their own creative input. The editor is usually not the final creative voice. Directors, producers, executives, and even hired scripts writers or janitors might have their input, which can significantly slow down the editing process. These stakeholders have the power to make changes or request new elements, adding layers of complexity to the editing process.

In long-form projects, there is often a false assumption that an ideal length for the final cut exists. While TV commercials have built-in time constraints, adding the client's feedback as a powerful voice can also lengthen the editing process. This constant back-and-forth can lead to missed deadlines and budget overruns if the project is not well-managed from the start.

Storage and Hardware Constraints

Another major contributor to the long editing process is the storage and hardware requirements needed for efficient video editing. A computer with just one drive can struggle to handle large video files, slow processing times, and difficulty with multitasking. Any computer that is used for video editing should have at least two local drives. The system/boot drive should contain the operating system and applications, while the storage drive should contain all non-system files, including source files, conformed files, project files, and encoded files.

To help you deliver higher efficiency, ensure that the drives are SATA or NVMe. USB drives do not count as local drives for this purpose. Desktop computers are better equipped to handle multiple local drives, but some laptops can also accommodate this. Models like the Dell XPS 9500 and Lenovo ThinkPad E15 are examples of laptops that can support two internal local drives, ensuring that your editing process runs smoothly.

The Process of Video Editing

The actual process of video editing can be time-consuming, involving several steps such as looking through the clips, trimming, patching them up, adding visual effects, and rendering the final video. These tasks can take hours, particularly when the footage is not sufficient or quality is compromised. Adding additional content to compensate for a lack of footage can further extend the editing timeline.

To mitigate these issues, it's crucial to plan and organize your workflow efficiently. Start by setting clear timelines and deadlines, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned from the beginning. Use high-quality video file formats to save time during the editing process. Additionally, investing in the right hardware can significantly improve your productivity and reduce the overall editing time.

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