Overview

Take on any project without the stress by optimizing your project management, folder organization and overall workflow. There are a lot of things Ryan Kao wishes he knew 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 project management, staying organized, and how to speed up editing workflow through project templates and presets. In this class, you’ll learn how to optimize your data management, create a cohesive folder structure, and gain more confidence in your overall editing workflow. With Ryan as your teacher, you’ll: - Organize and name incoming media with a strong folder structure - Set up and organize your footage - Understand how the benefits of cloud storage and hard drives - Move through large quantities of data with ease Plus, Ryan will share a downloadable version of his folder structure so you can use it the next time you need to organize incoming media. Basic video editing knowledge and experience will be helpful when taking the class. You’ll need your computer to get started as well as any hard drives or video content to practice with. 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

Welcome & Workflow Foundations

Begin your journey toward a smoother, more productive editing process by setting up solid foundations. In this module, you’ll explore the typical stages of a freelance editing project, identify common workflow bottlenecks, and establish project management habits that save time and reduce stress throughout your editing career.

Organizing Your Project for Success

Efficient organization is at the heart of a fast and reliable workflow. This module focuses on setting up your footage and project files for success. You’ll learn how to build and reuse custom templates, implement clear folder structures, and adopt naming conventions that keep every project streamlined from start to finish.

Technical Essentials & Course Wrap-Up

Wrap up the course by strengthening the technical side of your workflow. You’ll explore best practices for backups, evaluate different storage solutions, and reflect on your current setup to identify practical improvements. By the end, you’ll have the tools and confidence to edit with greater speed, security, and clarity.