How Top Pro Video Editors Approach Every Edit

Most editors know how to make a cut. But very few know why to make one—and that difference completely changed my career. For years, I was stuck grinding away at low-paying editing jobs because I was obsessed with software and technical tricks. I knew the tools, but I didn’t understand what actually makes an edit work. Once I learned to focus on the why behind every cut, everything changed—and it’s how I was able to make seven figures from editing before age 30.

In this video, I break down the exact framework I use on every project. I call it ESRA, and it gives you a clear decision-making process for any edit you’re working on.

E — Emotion

Editing starts before you touch the timeline. For every scene, I define the target emotion I want the audience to feel. If you don’t know what you want the viewer to feel, your edits will always be random. Emotion becomes the North Star for every decision that follows.

S — Story

Once the emotion is clear, every shot has to earn its place. I ask one question for every clip: Does this move the story forward? If the answer is no, it’s gone—no matter how beautiful or hard-to-get the shot was. Shots that don’t serve the story create boredom or confusion, which instantly kills emotion.

R — Rhythm

Rhythm is all about shot duration and how cuts relate to each other over time. Calm emotions usually mean longer shots and fewer cuts. Anxiety or intensity often means faster cuts and more cuts per minute. Your rhythm should support the emotion you chose at the start.

A — Action

This is the polish. I cut in at the start of an action and out at the end of an action. Once rhythm is established, I choose actions within the shot that naturally fit my ideal duration. This makes edits feel intentional and professional, even when the viewer can’t explain why.

If you can consistently apply emotion, story, rhythm, and action, you’re already operating in the top tier of editors. This framework is how I uncover the why behind every cut—and it’s the same process I use on high-end projects today.