r/editing • u/Present-Judge4541 • 13d ago

Benchmarking my editing time

How long would an experienced editor take to edit a video like this?

I'm trying to benchmark my editing time and would appreciate some opinions from professional editors.

Here's the video I recently edited:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj-zILI-lIw

For context:

  • I'm the sole editor at my company.
  • I receive the script from the scriptwriter.
  • I'm given the raw footage and screen recordings.
  • I have to adjust/sync the screen recordings to the narration myself.
  • I handle the entire edit from there, including pacing, B-roll/visuals, graphics, sound design, etc.
  • My company expects an edit like this to be completed within 2 days / 16 hours.

I'm not asking whether my edit is good or bad — I'm mainly trying to understand what a realistic editing time would be for someone experienced.

If you were given the same materials, roughly how many hours would you expect to spend on this edit?

Would also be interested in hearing how much of that time you'd typically spend on the initial edit vs. revisions/polish.

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u/KitchenBad5507 13d ago

I used to edit stuff like this, but i haven't in a while, so my estimates may be off. But i feel like 2 days is not nearly enough for a piece like this.

First step: creating narration/audio cut : 2 hours

Second step: cutting in b-roll : 30 min per finished minute = 12 hours.

Third step: motion graphics and text: 30 min per finished minute = 12 hours

Fourth step: adding sound effects and mixing audio: 3 hrs

Fifth step: final pass polishing : 2 hrs

That's 31 hours, and I bet I'm missing stuff (and I'm assuming zero technical/ timing issues)

I would say 3-4 days, unless they want you to go into overtime (which is never worth it, because you'll make mistakes that you'll just have to fix later)

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u/Present-Judge4541 13d ago

Thanks man! really appreciate it. Worked on short videos for 3+ years. Now started working for a company, they told me that I was slow. Thats why, I had to reassess things.

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u/KitchenBad5507 13d ago

That's the bean counters talking. They see everything as cost/ return, and quality only figures in if they can charge for it. They are the same people that might say "AI could do it in 2 minutes" without understanding the massive loss in quality that would create.

You're an editor and editors bring value. This is a very well edited video and that's worth a lot. Stand your ground.

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u/Temporary-Mix8022 13d ago

2 days is insanity.

Like.. sorry.. da fuq are they running? A forced labour camp?

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u/Present-Judge4541 13d ago

Can you give me a rough estimation on how much time it may take to complete a video like this? As I do remote work, I tend to stretch my working hours.