In today’s digital age, video editing has become an essential component of filmmaking, television production, advertising, and social media content creation.
This usually requires a deep understanding of various editing software, techniques, and styles, as well as an eye for detail and aesthetics. As such, it is a highly sought-after skill that offers array of opportunities for those who are passionate about visual storytelling.
Speaking with LEADERSHIP WEEKEND, the founder of Yinka Da Image Studio, Mr. Olayinka Sodiq AbdurRaheem affirmed that, editing is a lucrative venture. “When you observe the current global trends, it’s almost like everybody uses video. Countless individuals utilise this medium to highlight their products or services, while others in the entertainment industry rely on skilled video editors to refine their footage, such as skits, movies, and other creative endeavours.
“Video editing involves the process of meticulously sequencing footage and subsequently layering it with soundscapes, visual effects, and transitions to create a cohesive narrative. This craft can be likened to the art of tailoring, where one purchases fabric material, cuts it into specific shapes and sizes, and then seamlessly sews them together to produce a complete garment,” he stressed.
According to Olayinka, “one of the beauties of this job is that you do not have to save money or sweat over renting a shop or office. You can do that in your house. Most of the videos I edit, I edit from the corner of my house; I do not have to go and rent a space before I can do my job. If you have the means, fine and good, but if you don’t, you can use a corner in your house.”
Profitability
People are making a living out of being video editors. For instance, a professional video editor who edits for some of the pay television, earns close to N800,000 and above per editing work, depending on their level. But for others, depending on the creativity they put into the work, they charge between N20,000 and N200,000 or even more for editing wedding videos.
Also, most editors charged clients based on the number of cameras the videographer used. You cannot compare the price of one camera to the price of three or more cameras. The more cameras, the more charges.
Olayinka stated that one may not need to go to the four walls of higher institutions before learning video editing. He said: “University is not the prerequisite to becoming a skilled video editor. Rather, one can acquire the necessary knowledge and expertise by studying online or apprenticing under an experienced video editor for a brief duration.
“There are various applications and tutorials available now that have made it easier for people. All you need is to learn it, be creative, and be open-minded to things happening around you.”
Market
There is a greater market for video editing than ever before. Content creators such as Pay TV, Skit Skit makers, religious organisations, newlywed couples, and many more need their services. Some videographers do not have time to combine shooting videos and editing the videos. They give that aspect to the editors to do while they expect the final production.
Advice
To him, “it is advisable to use a good graphic system. The graphics card could begin at 4 GB of RAM and upward. If you don’t have a good graphics laptop, your work will be slow and not enjoyable. Do not lie to the client because you want their money.
Do not promise what you cannot deliver. Some editors know that they cannot meet their client’s deadlines, but because of money, they collect the job and fail to meet the deadline.
“Also, store your work on multiple devices. You cannot rely on one because it is a device, and anything can happen to the file at any time. I store my job in three to four places. If one crashes, I will fall back on another one. Virus damage files, and what will you tell clients when the work is damaged and there is nothing to fall back on?”
