Editing is a crucial aspect of producing a movie. Even though it is a subject of practical knowledge, maintaining a solid theoretical foundation is crucial.
One of the finest methods to fully comprehend even the most minute things is via books. You may learn knowledge most thoroughly by reading books.
We have compiled the top ten books that every editor should read once in life. Keep reading the following book reviews to get your favorites!
This part thoroughly reviews the best video editing books that every editor should read once in life. Let’s get started right now!
1. In the Blink of an Eye
Specification
- Author: Walter Murch
- Language: English
- Print length: 146 pages
- Publish date: 2001
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Reason To Buy
- Brief, in-depth, theoretical, and philosophical content
- The author’s actual work experience
- Advantages and disadvantages of digital workflow
Review
This book is a must-have thing for those who want to become a better editor. It is brief, in-depth, theoretical, and philosophical, yet functional.
Murch’s guidance is based on the knowledge gained as editor-in-chief. He openly and incisively imparts the knowledge gained from his experiences.
Murch’s explanation of digital workflow and his analysis of its advantages and disadvantages are still beneficial today. I particularly value his thoughts on the dangers posed by the speed and ease of digital photography and editing.
This book delves deeply into the creative process while also giving viewers a look at the equipment Hollywood film editors utilize. Walter Murch discusses film editing and emphasizes that it is still relevant today.
Many essential principles of film editing are expertly covered in the first chapter. The book’s second section provides a more concise overview of how the film has changed in the digital era.
This is a highly fascinating and educational book. It doesn’t appear to be a textbook, yet it has all the necessary information about editing.
2. How to Shoot Video That Doesn’t Suck
Specification
- Author: Steve Stockman
- Language: English
- Print length: 248 pages
- Publish date: 2011
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Reason To Buy
- Brief and to-the-point content
- Interesting writing style
- Teaching how to prepare, shoot, and edit a quality video
Review
No book or course I have ever read has briefly and clearly taught me a complete knowledge. It teaches you not only how to make amusing and successful videos but also how to express yourself clearly and effectively.
It teaches you how to produce movies while also helping you learn and internalize the concepts. This book makes concepts understandable, simple to implement, and transparent.
Although there are several chapters, each is brief and occasionally includes examples you can view on the author’s website. The subjects and chapters are thoughtfully organized, so you may begin picking up practical knowledge from the first few pages.
A lot of work went into making this book so valuable. It is a short and enjoyable book because of the author’s clear writing style and hand-drawn illustrations.
I appreciated how it visually connected stories. Our learning path will be substantially shorter as a result of this book!
3. Making YouTube Videos
Specification
- Author: Nick Willoughby
- Language: English
- Print length: 192 pages
- Publish date: 2019
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Reason To Buy
- Study on lighting and shot composition
- Beneficial skills needed for video publishment on YouTube
- Introducing essential software for post-shoot processing
Review
This book has all that I need for beginning producing videos for YouTube, such as explanations, illustrations, and a glossary. I thought the study on lighting and shot composition was beneficial.
Willoughby teaches me some beneficial skills, such as organizing and planning before creating the video, selecting a camera, taking the video, editing it, and distributing it. It truly is a master lesson in all facets of filmmaking.
Nothing cutting edge, but all the fundamentals are present and adequately explained. One essential software for Windows and one for Apple are used to demonstrate post-shoot processing.
Due to its simplicity, the book is excellent for both beginning and advanced editors. It is easy to read, engaging, organized, educational, and practical.
It’s good that planning is emphasized because it’s essential to success. It is packed with helpful advice.
Despite being brief, this book has a lot to say. I like how concise the author’s writing style was.
The book demonstrates how to create and edit a video using iMovie. If you want to film movies alone and won’t utilize an Apple machine, go with better books.
4. The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video
Specification
- Author: Tom Schroeppel
- Language: English
- Print length: 176 pages
- Publish date: 2015
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Reason To Buy
- Fundamentals of editing
- Principles of setting up the sound
- Concise and functional content
Review
This book provides a clear explanation of the filmmaking process with examples.
It’s an excellent introduction book and a terrific method for individuals to learn the fundamentals without feeling overburdened.
The book covers crossing the line, sound, exposure, and other concepts using straightforward language and more than 150 pictures. Additionally, it included location and illumination details.
The author covers all the fundamentals, including how to position frames and utilize the lens in various lighting situations. He also goes on and on about how to set up the sound.
It sounds like an excellent short read for someone unfamiliar with the foundations of lighting and framing. The education of filmmakers is completed with this book, which includes additional chapters on editing and sound.
I like the concise and functional content. It’s also a less expensive option than expensive textbooks.
5. On Film Editing
Specification
- Author: Edward Dmytryk
- Language: English
- Print length: 184 pages
- Publish date: 2018
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Reason To Buy
- Fundamentals of film editing
- Examples of film industry work in history
Review
It is a great book that helps you understand the thinking of a professional editor and the kinds of edits you should make for a more polished outcome.
The author clearly and entertainingly covers the fundamentals of film editing. He provides a lesson in video editing using examples and tales from over five decades of film industry work.
The editing concepts are more the book’s focus than the specifics of how to deal with various scenarios. Because every edit circumstance is different, but the fundamentals are the same everywhere, it is better to concentrate on the principles.
The author wrote the book through the lens of a movie. Any video editor can quickly understand how the theory is relevant to the field of video editing.
Because the final chapter is nearly entirely taken up with a movie script, it may be less interesting to read. Nonetheless, it demonstrates how a movie may be altered once it has been shot in the editing suite.
Both individuals with little and a lot of experience can benefit much from reading this book. You must read this if you are attempting to become an editor.
6. Color Correction Handbook
Specification
- Author: Alexis Van Hurkman
- Language: English
- Print length: 672 pages
- Publish date: 2013
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Reason To Buy
- Introducing software programs, including FCPX and Davinci Resolve
- Mentioning a wide range of film cameras
- A convenient reference with fantastic illustrations and images
Review
Anyone who wants to grasp the ideas and methods behind making better videos should read this book. It clarifies vague notions that occasionally surface in forums and help websites.
This book will be a helpful reference. It examines many software programs, including FCPX and Davinci Resolve, and a wide range of film cameras and DSLR capture scenarios.
This book addresses the essentials. Regardless of the color-correcting software you use, this book is jam-packed with practical, real-world knowledge.
It has the advantage of being both a fantastic book with fantastic illustrations and images and a fantastic convenient reference. It’s a great place to start for anyone interested in video editing.
7. The Video Editing Handbook
Specification
- Author: Aaron Goold
- Language: English
- Print length: 135 pages
- Publish date: 2021
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Reason To Buy
- Step-by-step guides of the editing process
- Various editing principles
Review
You may find instructions on the editing process in this book. Additionally, it explains choices you must make while editing and crucial factors to consider.
Aaron outlines the general procedures, which include being organized before beginning and publishing the finished output. Following that, he offers suggestions and practical concerns based on his experience.
It provides excellent advice, explanations, and a step-by-step breakdown of the editing process. Another great resource is the photos shot directly from the video editing program.
You may better understand various editing principles thanks to the book’s straightforward language and abundance of valuable visuals. With this purchase, you will get access to video instruction links offered on the book’s website.
The book is a resource for filmmakers or novice editors who are learning how to edit but cannot afford pricey Adobe Premiere Pro training. No matter who you are, this is a fantastic resource that I wholeheartedly recommend to you.
8. The Technique of Film & Video Editing
Specification
- Author: Ken Dancyger
- Language: English
- Print length: 512 pages
- Publish date: 2018
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Reason To Buy
- Fundamentals of cinema history
- Possible filmmaking issues, such as sound and images
Review
The book discusses successful editing rather than teaching you how to do it. It explores filmmaking issues, such as how to enhance sound and images.
This book was fascinating to me since it made sense of my thoughts. I gained a lot of knowledge about how movies convey ideas.
The first two chapters recapitulate the fundamentals of cinema history using several methods that Porter, Melies, and Eisenstein pioneered. It also has chapters talking about the value of editing and the impact of other media on the editing process.
Although it’s likely boring to read, his movie examples are helpful. It would be nice if this book included a CD containing these sequences rather than still pictures.
9. Final Cut Pro Efficient Editing
Specification
- Author: Iain Anderson
- Language: English
- Print length: 796 pages
- Publish date: 2020
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Reason To Buy
- Guide on Final Cut Pro
- Fundamental production advice
- Complex technical elements of filmmaking
Review
The book is excellent. This book is for you if you are attempting to get answers to your FCP queries on YouTube but are having trouble.
A chapter covers some of the more complex technical elements of filmmaking, including frame rates, codecs, and the advantages of each. It creates the framework for organizing your tasks.
The book also includes a section on fundamental production advice for those who require assistance. I learned some technical production specifics that I was previously unaware of.
It is an excellent tool if you’re an experienced user who gets stuck or wants to learn something new. This book will help you edit more effectively and save time.
10. Documentary Editing: Principles & Practice
Specification
- Author: Jacob Bricca ACE
- Language: English
- Print length: 246 pages
- Publish date: 2017
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Reason To Buy
- Insightful explanation of how to edit a documentary creatively
- Excellent illustrations of actual situations
- Advice and insight from other top editors in the industry
Review
This book doesn’t concentrate on the technical parts of documentary editing but on the why. It’s an insightful explanation of how to edit a documentary.
Jacob Bricca explains the procedure, beginning with how to arrange the video to choose what to use. After that, he thinks about how to edit the forms of media, including the video that captures the events that the documentary is about.
The author also offers advice and insight from other top editors in the industry. The book has excellent illustrations of situations from the author and other documentaries.
I’ve developed a more effective and well-organized practice thanks to this book. As a seasoned editor, you will discover some intriguing new angles from which to view your workflow.
Buying Guide
The information in this section will help you make the best buying decision.
Search on the Internet
The Internet is always there to support you in your hunt. Today, we have instant access to book websites thanks to the Internet and the assistance of our phones and laptops.
Consider several titles to take into consideration by searching for book suggestions in that category. Try searching online for reviews of the book.
Best-Selling Books
Books might become successful just because of their author or thanks to a significant marketing effort. Suppose you’re interested in reading a bestseller; research in advance. Otherwise, try reading some lesser-known authors.
Author
If you’re a voracious reader, you undoubtedly have one or two authors you enjoy.
Checking the author’s list of published works to determine which books you still need to read will be helpful.
You may find a list of an author’s published works on their website, on the books, and their Goodreads and Amazon accounts.
FAQs
What should I study for video editing?
A bachelor’s degree in an area like communications that is related to film is required for the majority of film and video editors.
Numerous institutions offer courses in video editing software or cinematography. These courses teach you about cinema theory and provide you with hands-on experience.
Is video editing a challenging career?
The task of editing videos is complex and challenging. Video editors will frequently be under time pressure, likely leading to a tense work atmosphere occasionally.
What are the three stages of video editing?
- Pre-Production: plan and coordinate the video’s content
- Production: capture all the elements that will be in your final video
- Post-Production: edit details and combine them all to create the last video
Is video editing a valuable skill?
Video editing is a satisfying career choice and a practical skill for everyday life. You can utilize video editing skills for personal projects, such as sharing higher-quality videos of events like athletic competitions or family gatherings, outside the workplace context.
What are the technical skills of a video editor?
You need to be aware of the top tools in the field if you want to be a great video editor, and you should focus on learning to utilize the most-often-used, such as After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, etc.
Final Thoughts
This list is excellent for looking for the video editing books. Grab a book and enjoy reading! A fantastic book like The Video Editing Handbook might help you get inspiration. Thank you for reading!