Video Editing Software for Indie Filmmakers and Videographers

As a person who has been experimenting with filmmaking since the age of 10, I have been through the many technological changes in editing that have influenced us filmmakers. From cutting Super 8 film, analog, and VHS, to the new digital revolution. As an indie filmmaker and videographer, it's definitely a very exciting time. Anyone with a computer, editing software, and a digital camcorder can put together an impressive picture at a humble cost. What plagues many filmmakers in post production is what to use to edit their work. There are literally hundreds of editing suites out there, but not all of them are grand. As a professional editor, editing music videos and indie features, I've gathered what I regard to be the best editing software out there today.

Final Cut Pro
For those just starting out, I'd recommend using Final Cut Pro for editing, mainly on price and initial ease of use. Final Cut Pro is a wonderful tool that comes with an excellent DVD authoring program called DVD Studio Pro. Now, Final Cut Pro may be a great way to enter the editing world, but it is limited in its high end capabilities. The problem I've encountered with Final Cut Pro is it can be hell when cutting features as it is slow with such lengthy productions. It's a slick software for shorter productions though. Final Cut Pro is used by some companies, but they are mostly always low budget productions thus not paying a lot. Final Cut will give you the skills necessary as a base, until you're ready to learn the more advanced software.

Avid
I'm an Avid guy, but I do understand that Avid has a bit of a learning curve, whereas Final Cut Pro is a lot easier to get into and learn. Final Cut Pro was designed by computer programmers, so it's going to be easier to use obviously. But overall, Avid is a more powerful tool for the editor as it was designed by editors. If you plan on eventually working in the professional editing business, then you can't go wrong with Avid as it is the standard. Although Avid maybe harder to learn, it is a very robust editing system and does have superior features including being able to mix HD and SD resolutions in the same timeline. Also, in my experience, all the higher paying editing gigs will want you to use Avid, and it's increasingly more difficult to find Avid editors so you will be valued.

Eventually it'd be wise to learn both Final Cut Pro and Avid, although for those just starting out Final Cut Pro will get the job done. As a professional editor, you will want to know the tricks to both, but there's no sense in wasting your money on both products if you're only planning small productions. A full featured Avid system will be very expensive. Avid Xpress Pro is an excellent piece of software which you can purchase for about $300 if you're a student. If you are a student, you can get both pieces of software fairly cheap. It wouldn't hurt to try the free trials as well.

Adobe Premiere and Sony Vegas
I've used Premiere before and it's nice especially when combining other Adobe products like Audition, Photoshop, and After Effects. But experience in Premiere will not count as much as it does with Final Cut Pro and Avid in the professional world. I know some people who strictly use Premiere and other Adobe products to edit, and they're fine with that. The same goes with Sony Vegas. Vegas is really an excellent piece of software, especially for those using PCs, who can't use Final Cut Pro. It's probably the easiest editing program I've used, and you can do a lot with it. It's worth a try, especially if you can't afford the time required to master Avid. But, I've never seen Premiere or Vegas used in the professional editing world.

Although Avid may be the standard, it doesn't mean it is the best. So if you're going to be running your "own show" and doing things independently with your own crew, then by all means stick with what makes you comfortable. More indie companies are starting to use Final Cut Pro because it's cheaper and easier to use. As an indie filmmaker, what should really matter to you is the finished product, and if you can make something you're proud of with Final Cut Pro or Vegas then use it. The reality of it is editing software will not make your movie. You, the filmmaker, will make a good movie.