Thank you for opening this forum. As I work on developing my skills in video editing and animation, I want to ensure my practice aligns with current industry expectations.
Beyond the foundational tools we are covering, what software ecosystems or specific plugins would you recommend mastering to bridge the gap between student projects and professional-grade content? Additionally, are there specific asset management habits we should build early on to keep our editing workflows efficient?
You are welcome. Assuming what you mean by foundational tools is Adobe Premiere Pro, I would advise you to stick with that and master it for now.
As a beginner, I would not advise you to learn every software or plugin at once. The goal is to build a workflow that is close to what skilled professionals use.
For video editing, I would recommend focusing first on one main editor, such as DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere Pro. Then you can gradually learn a motion graphics tool like Adobe After Effects for animations and visual effects.
For plugins, I don't think you should worry too much in the beginning. You can create very good work using the built-in tools. Later, useful plugins for motion graphics, transitions, and audio cleanup can help improve speed and quality.
Also, one of the important habits that I would advise you to build early is asset management. A lot of beginners in any niche really lose time because their files are disorganized. I would recommend that you get used to creating separate folders for footage, audio, graphics, project files, exports, etc. Also, I would highly recommend that you master how to rename files now; this will really help you with organization in the long run.
Also, what's perhaps most important is that I would highly recommend you take a professional course in video editing. If you are lucky enough to learn from a true expert, they will teach you all these things and more.
There are many online sources where you can learn - for free or at a really cheap and affordable price. I have put together a list of some of the best online platforms where you can learn on a budget. Check them out here: https://thenigerianfreelancer.com/platforms-freelance-digital-skills/