How do you stay motivated with long video editing projects?

My way of not feeling time during editing a long project or for not getting bored is to create an editing system. I think the main reason of feeling the time and slow progress is not having a system or workflow setup for any project, if you have working steps you go through for any project and when you finish it then you go through the next step you'll feel the progress and where you are standing in your project timeline and when you will finish it.

Mapping out my work flow is key, when editing videos, color grading or designing motion graphic templates. I make sure I have a work flow already mapped out either on paper or on a work flow software, that way I can see the whole picture before starting.

Long projects can lead to over-familiarity, blurring objectivity. To regain perspective, watch the film with someone who hasn't seen it before. Avoid pausing the film and discussing it in this first round. You will be able to feel their reactions. Afterwards, scroll through the film and ask about their understanding of each scene. You'll be surprised by some of the things you hear. It's a great way to cut through miscommunication and gain insights.

Don't try to swallow the elephant whole. Break your project down into smaller, bite-sized tasks. Completing smaller goals feels great and keeps you moving forward.

Strategies for Staying Motivated: Embrace the Cause: Forge a strong emotional connection to the cause you're advocating for. Immerse yourself in research and stories related to the issue to remind yourself of the positive impact your work can have. Divide and Conquer: Break the editing project into smaller tasks and celebrate milestones. This approach makes the project more manageable and maintains a sense of accomplishment. Conclusion: Video editing is a powerful tool for change, but maintaining motivation is crucial. By connecting with the cause, planning strategically, seeking support, and practicing self-care, you can overcome challenges and create impactful videos that inspire action and contribute to a better society.

I stick to the expression my painting teacher used to say : "Inspiration is for amateurs, real pro got inspiration from the work itself". It helps me through the years of my career no matter what I do. Also, if you don't feel motivated enough doing what you have to, maybe you don't really need it. Or maybe you should outsource this part of the work and focus on something you don't lack inspiration.

Define what you want to achieve with each video editing project. Having a specific outcome in mind will give you a sense of purpose and motivation to work towards.

Make a paper list of the sections and the order you want to do them. Something physical that you can make notes on, scratch, and check off makes it feel very real and shows that you are making progress. then everything I do as far as eating or drinking or snacking is based on that piece of paper as a reward. When you get through a few tasks, that is a good time to eat something and watch your edit down. When you are frustrated, that is when you need to get some water. You'll find yourself excited to get through tasks and have rewards for yourself.

What excites you about this project? Remind yourself of that reason when motivation dips. Maybe it's the story you're telling or the chance to try a new editing technique.

Picking a small part of the project to work on at the beginning, that can help set the tone of the whole edit, is a technique I've always used. It can be an assembly of a key scene - so I can see in my mind how it'll cut together. It could be selecting a bit of music that will help with tempo (old music editing habits) or it can even be creating an opening title sequence. If I can lock in my vision on that small element, then I find I'm motivated for the whole project.

All of the creative process doesn't have to be at the computer. Take a walk, stand outside, look out the window, let your brain do it's thing. It's a great feeling to formulate an idea while on a walk and then returning to the work station to explore that idea.

When editing tv shows this was my process. -A morning cup of office coffee -Watching raw footage and creating selects -Finding music cues and Sfx -String out a rough cut -Lunch Break -Review the rough cut and trim out the fat -Attack and edit a scene with the intent to lock -Sit around and wait for my story producers to stop playing Candy Crush -Find my story producers in another edit bay drinking moonshine -Leave the office late due to story producers giving notes at the EOD when we're supposed to lock the show -Get sent to HR for arriving to work late but never being told to go home on time -Started my own company and helped my editors elevate their skills and have a great environment to earn a living. That's my editing routine.

Take a short nap. Walk for 30 minutes. Take a cold shower. Start editing with a coffee. You should be able to concentrate on edit and finish it.

Stay Healthy! A healthy body and mind are crucial for motivation. Get enough sleep, eat well, exercise regularly, and manage stress to ensure you have the energy and mental clarity needed for long editing sessions. While at the computer make sure you're managing your screen time. As editors, we tend to get lost in the editing and can be on the computer for hours without noticing. Set some time to break every hour for 5 minutes to stretch and reset your eyes.

Everyone has that golden time in the day where they are realy productive. Same as everyone has that time in the day where it takes forever to get the simplist thing done. There's no point having your head set to editing for 9 hours straight. Or trying to power through the least productive time of the day. It may not work for everyone, as everyone has different work/home lives, but when I know i've got a monster of a job to edit, I know that my most productive time to get my head into the zone is between 2am - 6am. I Manage my hours so that I have more home time beforehand, as you don't want burnout. You need to find your golden hours.

I find the most successful editing projects with a long timeline is building the right team around the project. Collaboration is key to curbing burn out and keeping you passionate about the content you’re working on. It’s easy for a long project to turn into a slog when you’re on an island but the more support from your teammates can help bring new perspectives and much needed breaks to keep the concept fresh from start to completion.

It's always great to have a circle of friends from your industry you can show the draft and ask for their opinion. It really helps me to brainstorm or share drafts with my friends from film school.

Share your work with colleagues or mentors for constructive criticism. Fresh eyes can catch things you miss and help you stay on track.

Close your eyes. Take some nice long blinks. Give ‘em a breather don’t forget to do some breathing exercises and money is a good motivator too.

Creating a clear plan for a video simplifies the process. By visualizing the steps and goals, motivation increases. When I had to make a recap video for the entire year in 2020, writing everything down and following the steps in order made finding the right visuals easier.

Nobody has to see what you're doing until you show them. Try whatever wild ideas come to mind. Try that editing technique or effect that you find inspiring. Let the ideas flow, then refine.

I like to take time initially just to organize my workflow. I start by watching the interviews, then I like to watch B-Roll and start making selections. Initially, for me, it's all about getting familiar with the footage. Once I'm familiar with everything, I start cutting like mad. I'd recommend getting in the habit of duplicating timelines before making drastic changes so you can always go back, but more often than not, I don't go back. If I feel stuck or uninspired, a quick breath of fresh air, a little walk, or taking the time to brew a coffee gives me just enough time to find fresh inspiration :)

Editing can be creative and fulfilling. Focus on the satisfaction of crafting a compelling story and celebrate your progress along the way.

Step back and watch your progress. Find a way to be away from your NLE and just watch your work. I find it adds a different perspective to the editing process and makes it more enjoyable. It can also help speed up the process.

Be sure to find fun things for yourself in every project. Very simple things that can tickle your mind at the moment and enjoy the continuation of the project.

You are already aware that a lot of work is expecting you. So, what you are going to need the most is a nice work environment to keep you motivated. My ingredients: - A clean and organized desk. - A proper room light. - Coffee/tea/juice or whatever you like in order to be hydrated and makes you perspicacious. - A very comfortable chair in case you work on your desk. - Organise all your files so that you won’t feel lost during editing. Extra tip: Feeling exhausted or having a brain burn? Do something else. Take a break. Go for a walk or do a more intense workout. Or just talk to a friend. Whatever works for you.

Optimize your workspace! Make sure your editing setup is comfortable and efficient. A little organization can go a long way in keeping you motivated.

I honestly feel the importance of a great workspace isn’t emphasized or spoken about enough. A clean workspace can be just the boost of dopamine you need to start or complete that long project.

Time Management: Develop a realistic timeline for the project. Effective time management ensures you stay on track and minimizes the stress associated with tight deadlines. Variety in Tasks: Rotate between different aspects of editing, such as cutting, color grading, and sound design. Switching tasks can keep your mind engaged and prevent monotony. Create a Comfortable Workspace: Ensure your editing environment is comfortable and organized. A clutter-free and ergonomically designed workspace can positively impact your motivation and productivity. Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Recognizing progress boosts morale and reinforces a positive mindset.

Don't fight back! Some people are horrible at giving notes and usually leave emotional responses instead of supportive and helpful fixes. -Create a system to have all of the notes in 1 place and from 1 executive voice. The Vimeo review player has a great way of gathering client notes, and so does frame.io. This way you don't have to go through a list with people not understanding the burned-in timecode vs Quicktimes trt.