Video Editors

Introduction

So you'd like to hire a video editor or maybe a whole team of video editors? This is an end-to-end, highly tactical guide for figuring out what type of editor you need, how to assess the editor, how to close them, and how to manage them.

The video production process

Considerations when building a video team

1. Content formats - Podcast, long-form etc. Platform - Even within social media there are nuances - being an expert at creating shorts doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll also be good at long-form content. Which platform will video be on (e.g. youtube, website, tiktok)
2. How you’ll source or create the raw video footage. Videography is usually a different role from video editing. Skilled videographers know about lighting, directing, people skills, getting people to say what you want them to say etc. In most cases you’ll want to hire a video editor before a videographer, as you can create incredibly engaging videos footage shot on an iPhone.
3. Reference - Example brief/video idea - references are NB
4. Content cadence. Do you need a freelancer or a full-time hire? For once-off videos you’re better off working with freelancers. But if you want a consistent cadence of videos, want to develop a unique style or want to develop a video series then get someone full-time.
5. Budget
6. Which video editor archetype you want to hire

The video editor archetypes

• Motion graphics artist
  • Super detail oriented
  • Very technical
  • Motion graphics artists tend to be able to edit, but video editors often can’t do motion graphics. Can sometimes lose perspective of the bigger picture
• Visual storyteller
  • Great at finding stories within footage
  • Lack technical expertise and might struggle to adapt to tech-heavy video style
• Swiss army knife
  • Good enough at everything
  • Not amazing at any one thing, often slower
  • When you’re hiring a swiss army knife, they’ll generally be really good at some parts of production and weaker at others. For most people starting out, a swiss army knife is the best fit.
• Content Creator
  • The rarest type archetype
  • These folks are one-man (or woman) content teams.
  • They can conceptualize, plan and create content.

Video Editor Job Description

We’re looking for a skilled video editor to work in both short- and long-form formats, taking footage shot by production teams and editing it based on project specs. After showing a rough draft to stakeholders, they’ll implement project notes. The finished product will represent the best of the company and the video editor’s skill.

You will work closely with the production and marketing teams to ensure alignment with project goals. Success in this role will be producing dynamic, engaging, and audience-appropriate videos that expand market reach and boost viewer engagement.

### Responsibilities
- Edit short- and long-form videos for website and social media.
- Lead video ideation and creation.
- Ensure videos meet marketing team specifications and guidelines.
- Implement stakeholder feedback.
- Ensure brand authenticity in all projects.

### Competencies
- **Editing experience**: Strong portfolio; proficient with Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve.
- **Storytelling**: Master pacing and style; keep viewers engaged and improve retention.
- **Communication**: Provide updates, be coachable, and adapt to feedback.
- **Sound design**: Select and add music/sound effects; bonus if skilled in motion graphics and animation.
- **Technical**: Manage high-res file transfers, video output formats, and meet tight deadlines with an efficient workflow.
- **Project management**: Highly organized with attention to detail; handle and organize raw and edited files effectively.

### Background
- Formal education is optional.
- Familiarity with the software ecosystem (e.g., Adobe Premiere if applicable).
- Knowledge of technical specs (e.g., 4K/8K video and hardware requirements).

Here are the three phases the team can follow to design high-quality solutions:

Assessing portfolios

How important is finding an editor that has a portfolio that matches the style you want? Most of the time you’ll end up hiring someone who has an adaptable style, rather than someone who has already nailed your style. This is simply because there are so many different styles and you’ll be unlikely to find an exact match. Usually this isn’t a problem as most video editors tend to be adaptable across styles, but you’ll want to test this.

Interviewing

• What software do they use start to finish in their workflow? How do they work when they aren’t given direction…
  • Video editing: DaVinci, Premiere, Final cut
  • Motion graphics: After effects
  • AI tools: At least awareness of this…Elevenlabs, Descript, Veed.io, https://www.opus.pro/.
  • B-roll:
• Are they aware of the latest trends?
• Who are you taking inspiration from? Favorite editors or youtubers?
• Pick a video from portfolio and ask how they’d improve it.
• What are you looking for: Do they understand the issues with their original edit. Would it really make the video better? Good editors should be able answer this with ease.
• Story is also about how you want people to feel. What music you select. What’s the context. Good editors answer with context, bad editors just say it “looks nice”
• Speed/Turnaround time
• Work ethic => if async then many of them slack off. Are you outcome driven or does synchronise work matter?
• If you’re hiring remotely you’ll also want to check
  • Computer - unless you’re providing the hardware yourself, you need to check that the candidate has the necessary computer to run
  • Fast internet connection - transferring large amounts of data…

Homework Video Asessments

How to brief a video assessment

• A good, clear brief is incredibly important
• Let them know where they can source B-roll footage (e.g. youtube, should they concern themselves with copyright)
• Sample footage should be well organised
• Transcript of the audio - especially if it uses names and brands that the person might not be familiar with
• How much time do they have to complete it
• The format you'd like to receive it in
• Don't get too caught up in your brand guidelines
• Don't expect them to do a full project - unless you're compensation them

Assessments for Content creator

• Including scripwriting, concepts
• Send the best 3 performing tiktoks, make a similar video
• What would you provide to that person and how would you brief them?
• Give them an asset package: SVGs, logos, illustrations
• How aligned is the video with the examples

Assessments for Visual storyteller

• Your main focus should be to assess storytelling ability.
• Can they cut coherent flowing sequences from disconnected footage? Can they discern what is important and what isn’t.
• Give them a video concept and ask them to put together a storyboard and animatics. Remember the editor doesn’t always have the context - so you need a good brief.

Assessments for Swiss army knife

• Give 5 min clip, make a 30 second clip from that.
• How long should it take? 2-8 hours
• What would you provide? Raw footage, Script

Assessments for Motion Graphics Artist

• 60-120 second raw footage that needs minimal cutting
• Make it engaging with motion graphics
• What would you provide? Raw footage, Script

What do you look for in their assessment?

Editing Pacing Content Creativity Timing/pacing

Have a follow up interview where you. Ask WHY for every aspect.

Closing Video Editors

What makes an opportunity attractive to video editors?

Salary Creative freedom - ability to play around with new approaches Alignment between style of editing and what the company wants Software budget (subscriptions)

Are there specific challenges with attracting a video editor full-time to your company?

You’re competing with freedom. Time/schedule freedom! They potentially have to turn down once-off freelance work that comes their way. If you’re willing to not require exclusivity it makes a big difference.

Managing video editors

What do you as an employer need to onboard a video editor properly?

• Knowledge base for video editors: tone of videos, mood board, references, previous videos, language, example scripts
• If you don’t have this, you need to give them the opportunity to make this knowledge base.
• Access to royalty free music and stock library.
• Software licenses
• Hardware if they don’t have it already

Principles for managing video editors

• Manage on outputs, not inputs
• Normal company meetings like standups and can interrupt their flow and significantly impact their productivity. It’s best to keep them on a maker schedule. If you constantly require to show WIP they’
• For some reason, video editors often find flow at weird hours in the day.
• Nail your script and brief before handing over to the editors. 90% of storytelling issues that come up later are due script changes and bad briefs.
• Have super clear deadlines for project milestones - and then leave the editors to cook.
• Editors love having freedom - but always provide examples and references.