Overview

Discover your power as an editor by leaning into your unique style, identity, and inspiration. There are a lot of things Ryan Kao wishes he had known before starting his career as a freelance video editor and cinematographer. From learning editing essentials to finding his distinctive visual style to properly managing client projects and marketing himself on social media, developing skills like these have helped Ryan go on to secure opportunities with brands like Nike, Adidas, and IKEA as well as cultivate a community of almost 250K across YouTube and Instagram. Now, Ryan wants to share everything he’s learned about crafting a unique identity and sense of style as a video editor. In this class, you’ll learn how to find new sources of inspiration, translate your visual style into client work, and create your style guide using one of Ryan’s favorite tools. With Ryan by your side, you’ll: - Analyze your media consumption and previous work to find inspiration - Create your own reference library and style guide using Milanote - Discover how to work in tandem with a client’s needs and creative brief - Understand you own style and how to use it to your advantage Plus, Ryan will share some of his favorite edits, inspiration, and creative reference library as a full-time freelance editor. Whether you’ve been working as an editor for years but can’t seem to figure out your unique style or want to start your career off by honing and developing your unique visual style right off the bat, you’ll leave this class with a better sense and understanding of style, how to find new ways to influence your style and how you to translate that into your personal and professional work Basic video editing knowledge and experience will be helpful when taking the class. You’ll need your computer to get started. You can also bring pen and paper to take notes. Instructor bio: Ryan Kao is a cinematographer and video editor based in Los Angeles. What started as a simple childhood hobby over 15 years ago has grown into a thriving and transformative career as a full-time freelancer in the video industry. With cinematography and post-production work ranging from commercial, documentary, and narrative pieces. He is proud to say that his work has taken him all over the world. Making and learning from mistakes along the way has allowed him to discover some unique perspectives and strategies over the years. He's also been so honored to share his knowledge and experiences on YouTube with an audience of over 200,000 subscribers. This creative community has fueled his career beyond anything he could ever imagine possible, and he's beyond excited to share even more with you, here on Skillshare! Clients include Nike, Adidas, Alo, Trip Advisor, Hennesey, and more.

Syllabus

Introduction to Visual Style

Begin your journey toward a distinct editing identity by exploring the fundamentals of visual style. In this module, you’ll learn how to define what style means in the context of video editing and why it matters creatively and professionally. Through guided reflection and inspiration gathering, you’ll start building a personal reference library, analyze your media habits, and identify patterns that point toward your unique aesthetic voice.

Developing a Distinct Visual Voice

Now that you’ve explored your influences, it’s time to shape them into something that’s unmistakably yours. This module focuses on translating your preferences into a consistent editing style. You’ll create a working style guide and learn how to adapt your voice across different client contexts while staying true to your creative instincts. By the end, you'll better understand what makes your editing style stand out—and how to communicate that in your work.

Reflect, Apply, and Grow

In the final module, you’ll reflect on how your editing style has evolved and consider how to refine and sustain it over time. Using a flexible tool like Milanote, you’ll build a living visual style guide that can grow with your practice. You’ll also evaluate your portfolio for areas of growth or stylistic consistency, preparing you to carry your visual voice confidently into future creative opportunities.