🎁 June Bonus: The next 5 PRO students get a personal Demo Reel Audit ($147 Value). Ends June 30 or when spots are gone.

From Frustrated Editor to Confident Storyteller in 90 Days.

Go beyond software and master a proven, step-by-step process that will transform any edit into an emotionally impactful story.

 
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Student Transformations...

 

"I was missing a lot of the big things that make a great edit. That is the story is key, the emotion is key, and I started rolling all that into my own edits. I would highly recommend it to anyone else."

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"I feel like I've walked away with a more established and streamlined workflow that allows me to get the best out of my videos... to understanding the emotional elements that go into rhythm and to making a cut meaningful."

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"Going through the exercises helped me practice a way of adding storytelling and conveying emotion in an edit that not only worked for that specific assignment, but also for any of my client work outside of the course."

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"The immense feedback that you get from Austen is really something that I appreciated a lot. I followed the project of the course and I'm very proud of it."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

"Austen focuses on what really matters—storytelling and emotion. The emotional map that he teaches—that alone is worth this course. Because of this course, I now feel confident in my ability to find a story in any footage clients provide."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

"I've always struggled with editing with a narrative in mind. However, after taking Austen's course, that all changed for me... It's changed my whole perspective on how I approach projects."

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DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?

☑️ You have some technical skills, but you struggle evoking emotions with your edits.

☑️ You don't know where to start when it comes to structuring your story.

☑️ You want to master rhythm and pacing.

☑️ You want to bring your edits to life with amazing sound.

☑️ You want to know exactly where to cut—every time.

INTRODUCING

Edit Like A Storyteller

Craft stories that move people.

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START WITH EMOTION & STORY

Knowing where to click doesn't teach you WHERE to cut or WHY. The result? Technically competent but emotionally flat edits that don't engage viewers the way your favorite films do. This course teaches you the exact process I've refined over 20 years as an award-winning editor. 

📍 EMOTION: Create an emotional map that guides every cutting decision with purpose.

📝 STORY: Apply proven storytelling frameworks that keep viewers engaged from beginning to end.

🎵 RHYTHM: Master pacing and tempo techniques that create momentum and impact.

🔊 SOUND: Design layered soundscapes that transform good edits into great ones.

🎬 ACTION: Make confident cutting decisions based on professional criteria, not guesswork.

By the end of this course, you'll have a comprehensive editing system you can apply to any project—whether it's narrative, commercial, documentary, or YouTube content.

MEET YOUR MENTOR

I fell in love with editing in 1999 as a high school student, but no matter how many books I read or tutorials I watched, my edits weren’t improving. Everything changed when I met a mentor who taught me how to create emotionally impactful edits. Today, as an ADDY award-winning commercial editor with over 20 years of experience, I attribute much of my success to having that first mentor. I created this course so I can be that mentor for you.

2025

GOLD ADDY

2024

SILVER ADDY

2023

GOLD ADDY

2021

SILVER ADDY

2017

BRONZE ADDY

2013

SILVER ADDY

FULL COURSE CURRICULUM

 

➡️ LESSON 1: PREPARE FOR A SUCCESSFUL EDIT

• Create an organized workflow that saves hours of frustration.

• Set up your project for seamless collaboration.

➡️ LESSON 2: MASTER EMOTION - THE MOST IMPORTANT EDITING CRITERIA

• Map emotional arcs that keep viewers invested.

• Learn how all other techniques should support a target emotion.

➡️ LESSON 3: STRUCTURE THE STORY - SET THE STAGE FOR A GREAT EDIT

• Identify and strengthen your story's dramatic structure.

• Create tension and release through strategic editing choices.

➡️ LESSON 4: CONTROL RHYTHM - AMPLIFY YOUR EDITS

• Create contrast in your edits that keep viewers engaged.

• Match editing rhythm to emotional content for maximum impact.

➡️ LESSON 5: CRAFT SOUND - BRING YOUR EDITS TO LIFE

• Build immersive soundscapes that enhance visual storytelling.

• Create emotional shifts through strategic sound design.

➡️ LESSON 6: ACTION - MAKE THE RIGHT EDIT EVERY TIME

• Know exactly where to cut for maximum impact.

• Stop relying on matching-on-action, and learn to cut when it feels inevitable.

➡️ LESSON 7: DELIVER AND FINISH STRONG

• Master technical delivery specifications.

• Create efficient archiving systems for your projects.

➡️ LESSON 8: CREATE BULLETPROOF TECHNICAL WORKFLOWS

• Build comprehensive technical documentation that prevents costly mistakes.

• Master delivery specs, camera settings, and collaboration requirements before you ever start editing.

➡️ LESSON 9: MASTER THE FEEDBACK PROCESS

• Implement a professional feedback workflow that transforms rough cuts into polished edits.

• Transform client notes into creative breakthroughs that elevate your storytelling.

➡️ LESSON 10: LEAD POST-PRODUCTION TEAMS

• Command seamless collaboration with colorists, sound mixers, and VFX artists.

• Master technical delivery specs and file formats that prevent costly re-work.

PUT THEORY INTO PRACTICE

This course includes two hands-on projects where you apply everything you learn and you get PERSONAL FEEDBACK from me:

✅ Project #1: Visual Essay

Based on Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken," you'll:

• Apply all five professional editing criteria to a real project.

• Work with curated stock footage and a professional voice over.

• Create a portfolio-worthy piece you can actually use on your reel.

• Receive personal feedback on your work from me.

✅ Project #2: Narrative Scene

Edit a scene from the award-winning narrative short film Treasure Imagination:

• Practice with the same footage I used in my real-world examples.

• Apply the exact workflow demonstrated throughout the course.

• Experience editing narrative content with professional production value.

• Receive personal feedback on your edit from me.

CORE

$297

LIFETIME ACCESS

  • 10 Transformative Editing Lessons

  • Emotional Map Strategy

  • All Techniques Shown in My Actual Editing Timeline

  • Project 1: Visual Essay

  • Project 2: Narrative Scene

  • Personal Editing Feedback On BOTH Projects

  • 90 Days Email Support

  • Editing Community

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PRO

$447

LIFETIME ACCESS

  • EVERYTHING IN CORE

  • The In-Demand Editor Blueprint: Six-Steps to Building an Editing Career You Love.

  • Step 1: Find Your Niche

  • Step 2: Understand Your Customers

  • Step 3: Build an Attractive Brand

  • Step 4: Generate Leads

  • Step 5: Bid Projects Strategically

  • Step 6: Overdeliver

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PICTURE-LOCK GUARANTEE

7-DAY NO-HASSLE 100% MONEY-BACK

I want to save you years of struggle, just like my mentor did for me. If you don't love the course, simply email me within 7 days for a 100% refund—no questions asked.

THIS COURSE IS FOR YOU IF...

✅ You want to become a great storyteller, not just learn software tricks.

✅ You want a proven step-by-step workflow that works for any type of project.

✅ You want to organize projects efficiently and avoid the chaos of poor preparation.

✅ You are committed to the feedback process and refining your work.

✅ You want personal guidance from a 20-year pro.

 

THIS COURSE IS NOT FOR YOU IF...

⛔️ You're more interested in flashy effects than authentic emotional storytelling.

⛔️ You're looking for quick fixes; professional editing skills take time to develop.

⛔️ You're not willing to practice; getting better requires completing projects.

Praise From Collaborators...

Scott Rice

Director, Co-Professor with Matthew McConaughey at UT Austin

"Not only is Austen an incredible editor, but he's a remarkable teacher of the craft of editing. When my university students want to learn editing, I send them to Austen!"

Erik Petrik

Chief Creative Officer, Christianity Today

"There are no shortcuts in Austen's process. He's as proficient at communicating his craft as he is at the craft itself."

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IF YOU DON'T TAKE ACTION?

In 90 days, you'll still be watching software tutorials, and your edits will still feel flat and lifeless. Meanwhile, editors who understand emotional storytelling will be getting the creative projects you want. 

DON'T WASTE ANOTHER DAY focusing on technical tutorials.

START TODAY and begin crafting stories that move people.

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Austen on set with Matthew McConaughey.