Watch a Pro Video Editor Edit in Real Time (Racing Scene)

Ever wondered what it’s like to sit behind a pro editor during a real project? In this live editing session, I invite you into my edit suite and walk you through my actual process—no polish, just a real-time cut of a high-energy dirt bike sequence using stock footage from Artlist (affiliate link).

We kick things off by dragging the clips into Premiere Pro and organizing with a template bin system that keeps things fast and efficient. From there, it’s all about selecting the most compelling shots—ones with clean action, emotional punch, and visual contrast. You’ll see me sort footage, make selects by moving clips to higher tracks, and build a visual narrative on the fly.

The heart of this session is decision-making. Editing isn’t just about technical chops—it’s about shaping story and emotion through each cut. I focus on:

• Target Emotion: Picking “excitement” as my guiding feeling for the edit.

• Visual Storytelling: Building a simple arc—rider mounts the bike, launches into a wheelie, and wraps with a stylish finish.

• Shot Selection: Using slow motion, handheld footage, and high-energy moments to keep the rhythm dynamic.

• Screen Direction & Continuity: Flipping shots when needed to maintain visual flow.

• Quick Trims & Iteration: Constantly refining timing for better pacing, from selecting in/out points to shortening long clips.

This is just the visual pass—no sound design yet (that’s coming in the next live video). But even with just visuals, you’ll see how much storytelling is possible.

Happy editing!

Austen is an ADDY award-winning film & commercial editor with over 20 years of experience. He has worked with global brands like Meta, KPMG, SAP, and Christianity Today. His PSA work has championed causes like school safety (with Matthew McConaughey), driving safety, and anti-tobacco. A thought leader in the editing field, his online lessons quickly amassed over 100K views after launch.