Video content has become an indispensable tool for brands and content creators seeking to reach and engage online audiences. However, high-quality video production involves an array of specialized creative and technical skills – from storyboarding concepts to mastering editing software. This presents a formidable challenge for both amateur and professional content creators seeking to level up their video skills.
Fortunately, there is no shortage of educational video editing courses available to help you close this skills gap. With the right instruction tailored to your goals and experience level, you can acquire sophistication in the complete video creation process – from pre-production planning to professional post-editing refinements.
This guide will explore 9 of the most comprehensive and highly reviewed video editing courses on the market today. With offerings across leading eLearning platforms, diverse course formats, and expertise spanning beginner to advanced techniques, content creators of all backgrounds can find their perfect program match.
Adobe Premiere Pro CC Masterclass: Video Editing Made Easy
Provider: Udemy
Length: 11.5 hours on-demand video
Cost: $199.99
Geared towards both amateur and professional video editors alike, this extensive Premiere Pro course offers a thorough grounding in the software‘s core functions, tools, and capabilities.
Key topics and concepts covered include:
- Optimizing playback performance
- Multi-cam editing
- Color correction and grading
- Motion tracking
- Exporting videos for different platforms
Students complete real-world practice projects for YouTube, Instagram, and demo reels while receiving ongoing instructor feedback. The curriculum also incorporates emerging techniques like editing vertical video designed for mobile viewers.
Standout Review: "This course was extremely helpful! I went from having very basic knowledge to feeling confident with the software and creative possibilities. The practice files allowed me to follow along and learn by doing." – Anne S.
DaVinci Resolve 16 Video Editing Masterclass
Provider: Udemy
Length: 13.5 hours on-demand video
Cost: $199.99
Touted as Hollywood‘s "editing, color correction, and professional audio post production standard," this course helps creators harness the power of DaVinci Resolve 16. With instruction from professional editor and colorist Louay Zambarakji, the curriculum spans beginning to advanced techniques.
Key topics and concepts covered include:
- Importing and organizing media
- Editing multi-track timelines
- Trimming, transitions, titles
- Color correction and balancing
- Audio mixing and effects
- Rendering and exporting final videos
The course incorporates real-world examples and case studies in the process of teaching core DaVinci workflows. Students have praised the depth and practical nature of the lessons and practice content.
Standout Review: "I learned more from this course than from 2 years experimenting myself. It was presented clearly at a good pace, enough repetition to aid memory. I feel really confident now with DR — thank you!" – Peter S.
LinkedIn Learning: Become a Video Editor
Provider: LinkedIn Learning
Length: 13 hours 49 minutes on-demand video
Cost: $29.99/month for full access
LinkedIn Learning offers one of the most comprehensive paths for becoming a professional video editor via its streaming platform. The structured course sequencing helps students build a well-rounded skillset spanning tools, creative storytelling, graphics, animation, audio, and final output.
Some key topics and concepts covered include:
- Studio post-production workflows
- Premiere Pro essentials
- Producing interview and multicam shoots
- After Effects motion graphics
- Color grading principles
- Sharing videos online
Taught by industry expert, Editor and Filmmaker Ashley Kennedy, the course is regularly updated to align with latest software and innovations in the field. The segmented video lessons make consuming the 13+ hour curriculum highly digestible for working professionals.
Standout Review: "I find LinkedIn Learning video production courses to be concise and clear. The information is targeted well to people that are truly committed to learning the craft."
Introduction to Video Production by edX
Provider: edX
Length: 8 weeks, 2-4 hours per week
Cost: Free
A great option for beginners, edX offers an interactive Introduction to Video Production course developed by Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. Delivered via the edX online platform, the 8-week course provides foundation-level training in core concepts and skills.
Key topics and concepts covered include:
- Video production basics
- Planning and organizing shoots
- Camerawork and composition
- Lighting techniques
- Capturing quality video and audio
- Basics of video editing software
The course aims to help students "organize video shooting from scratch to finished video," useful whether for marketing, documentaries, or personal projects. It incorporates knowledge checks, practice, and peer/instructor feedback to reinforce retention.
Standout Review: "The course gives you an excellent initial orientation for anyone that is new to creating digital video content. The modules are nicely sequenced to help you get rolling quickly."
Online Video Editing Master Class by Photography Concentrate
Provider: Photography Concentrate
Length: 9 hours on-demand video
Cost: $149
For creators seeking mastery of the complete post-production video editing process – from importing footage to final export – Photography Concentrate‘s Online Video Editing Master Class provides robust hands-on experience.
Spanning 9 hours of in-depth curriculum, key topics and concepts covered include:
- Optimizing footage
- Organizing media
- Primary editing tools and techniques
- Working with audio
- Color grading and effects
- Rendering video output
The course incorporates real-world project walkthroughs for YouTube, blogs, and professional client work. Students praise the actionable nature of the step-by-step video lessons guided by expert instructor Evan Sharboneau.
Standout Review: "I knew nothing about video editing before this class. The way Evan structures the videos makes the learning process easy to follow. I now feel confident I have skills to edit all kinds of personal and client videos."
Provider: Skillshare
Length: 48m on-demand video
Cost: $14.99/month for premium membership
For those looking for a quick primers in core Premiere Pro techniques, Skillshare offers some narrowly focused, high-quality courses to choose from. A top pick is the Adobe Premiere Pro CC Essentials course with instructor Howard Pinsky.
At just 48 minutes in length, the concise course covers fundamental concepts like:
- The Premiere Pro interface
- Creating projects
- Basic editing tools
- Working with audio and graphics
- Exporting final videos
The short video lessons make this course easy to complete for busy individuals needing to quickly get up to speed. While basic compared to more robust Premiere course offerings, it provides a strong starting point for further self-directed learning.
Standout Review: "Easy to digest amount of information segmented into short videos focused on individual tools and concepts. Gave me enough knowledge to get started editing my own work confidently."
Video Editing with Adobe Premiere Pro for Beginners
Provider: Skillshare
Length: 2 hours on-demand video
Cost: $14.99/month for premium membership
Expanding on core Premiere Pro techniques, this step-by-step course offered by Skillshare instructor Ashley Kennedy provides a solid skills foundation for video editing newcomers.
Spanning nearly 2 hours of video, key topics concepts covered include:
- Optimizing playback performance
- Organizing media
- Basic editing tools and transitions
- Custom text/graphics
- Audio mixing and effects
- Color correction techniques
- Final export
Ideal for beginners looking for more scope than fundamentals courses, students praise the clear instruction progression, downloadable exercise files, and feedback from the professional instructor.
Standout Review: "I had no prior video editing experience and the pace and structure made concepts very easy to absorb. I now have the confidence to take on client video projects."
Creative Video Editing Techniques
Provider: LinkedIn Learning
Length: 1 hour 7 minutes on-demand video
Cost: $29.99/month for full access
While mastering software tools is crucial, exceptional video editing also requires creative vision, storytelling ability, and artistic flair. LinkedIn Learning‘s Creative Video Editing Techniques helps students move from technically proficient to imaginative editors.
Through real-world examples and detailed breakdowns, Emmy Award-winning instructor Richard Harrington explores:
- Cinematic language and conventions
- Complexity theory and continuity editing
- Rhythm, transitions, pacing
- Match cuts, smash cuts, juxtaposition
- Montage theory and experimentation
Ideal for intermediate students with core software competency, this course focuses on taking artistic inspiration from legendary filmmakers and incorporating it into modern video projects.
Standout Review: "I thought I knew a lot about video editing before this class. Richard introduced creative styles and theories I had never considered. My editing has improved exponentially."
Free YouTube Courses
While premium platforms offer highly structured curriculum, YouTube hosts a universe of excellent free video editing tutorials offered by established creators and educators. From bite-sized tool tips to multi-part series, self-motivated learners can piece together quality DIY education.
Top YouTube instructors like Video School Online, Editing Corp, and This Guy Edits generously share their expertise via narrated screencasts and archived live streams. Whether aspiring YouTube creators or marketers supporting business video needs, the free content allows customization to specific goals.
A disciplined self-directed learning approach paired with hands-on software tinkering can unlock huge value. Treat the videos as scaffolds for own experimentation rather than passive entertainment for best skill retention.
The Takeaway: While paid platforms provide great structure and credentialing, skill-building also boils down to hands-on practice. Leverage the wealth of quality free video education available on channels like YouTube to supplement other coursework.
Summary and Key Considerations
With video dominating both personal and professional digital landscapes today, video production skills are invaluable across diverse sectors. Whether just starting out or leveling up existing creative talents, online video editing courses help build technical competency to bring quality video projects to life.
From one-off projects to full-time video roles, the courses explored above represent some of the most comprehensive and highly reviewed options for content creators. However, think critically about personal learning styles, budgets, time commitments, and technical experience when selecting your best match.
Other key considerations include:
Course Scope: Comprehensive video production courses teach the full workflow – from pre-production planning to editing/effects to final output. More targeted classes focus exclusively on specific NLE software or niche creative techniques. Define scope needed to address skill gaps.
Instructor Access and Feedback: Courses offering direct access to instructors, feedback on practice projects, Q&A forums etc. provide support lacked in pure self-directed learning. Weigh value of objective external critique to accelerate growth.
Credentials and Certification: Completion certificates from accredited institutions allow you to demonstrate new skills to employers and clients. For amateur/hobbyist use, credentials matter less than tangible editing abilities.
Ongoing Development: Consume introductory courses to gain competence and then continue advancing via intermediate and expert-level curriculum. Lifelong learning is key for professional editors chasing the latest innovations.
Also, explore complementary areas like graphic design, animation, color correction, and audio engineering to expand artistic horizons.
The democratization of video editing education today provides unlimited development potential regardless of background, experience level, or budget. Take the first step by enrolling in one of these high caliber courses curated to launch a new career or take existing skills into new stratospheres!
