The Art of Editing: How Long Does It Really Take?

As a commercial video creator, I often get asked two questions: “How long does it take to edit a video?” and “How much does editing cost?” While the second question is certainly important, understanding the first one really sheds light on why editing holds so much value in the production process.

The length of time it takes to edit a video can vary dramatically. For instance, we once edited a 30-second video for the Karl Lagerfeld exhibition for the Met Gala live stream in just two hours. In contrast, a three-minute recap of Newsweek’s conference took 16 hours, and a personal short 5 minute film work has stretched over two years. So, why such a vast difference in editing time?

Factors That Influence Editing Time

The editing process is influenced by several factors. Editing a video actually takes 2-4 specialists to handle sound design, color correction, and story production. 

Each of these tasks requires meticulous attention to detail. The editor goes through every single clip—what editors call “scrubbing”—in search of those “perfect”moments that will best convey the story. Each selected clip must meet emotional, compositional, and movement criteria. Check out this blog post that talks more about theory on this. 

When working with sound, such as interviews or live performances, the process becomes even more time-consuming. If you have to create a short recap of an hour-long conference, the editor is going to spend at least that much time listening through it to extract quotes that encapsulate the experience. 

Building the Timeline

Once the editor made their selects, they load them onto the timeline—the space where all the footage comes together to form the final video. With both sound bites and b-roll, they start piecing together how everything connects. This process is a lot like assembling a puzzle. However, unlike a traditional puzzle that has one way to fit together, editing offers a myriad of options for storytelling. 

From working with a lot of editors one the best approaches to effective and efficient editing tips is “to cover your timeline”. This means ensuring there are no black screens; you can’t solve a problem if there’s nothing to see. Once you fill your timeline, you can start to assess whether certain clips make sense together or if they should be reconfigured.

Another invaluable piece of advice was to “build a scene.” This means crafting a story from multiple angles, rather than just assembling a montage of disconnected moments. Both of these strategies enhance organization and efficiency during editing.

The Emotional Journey of Editing

This stage can take anywhere from 8 to 24 hours—or even two years in other cases—depending on how well you want to tell the story and the length of your project. There’s often no one right way to narrate an experience. We’ve completely scratched finished edits and started over, using the same selects but rearranging them in a completely different way. 

Stepping away from a project can be crucial. It helps refresh your perspective and allows you to view the footage through the eyes of someone who hasn’t seen it before. This objectivity is vital for effective storytelling.

So, when you ask, “How long does it take to edit?” the answer is that it depends on how good you want the final product to be. The best editors are efficient, but they also need time to unearth the best story from the footage at hand.

A Director’s Edge

I use my editing experience to my advantage. When I'm directing I'm also editing in my head. I think about how b-roll connects to the story we’re building. My advice would be to hire director who have experience with editing this way your editors will have a cohesive direction and more streamlined vision.

Now it should be clearer why editing costs what it does. It’s not just about cutting footage together; it’s an intricate craft that demands time, expertise, and passion. So, the next time you consider the value of editing, remember the layers of complexity behind every cut! 🎬✂️💵