6-Month Master Plan
Month 1–2: Build the Foundations
✅ Video
Learn basic software: DaVinci Resolve (free & pro) or Adobe Premiere Pro.
Practice: cut, trim, transitions, text overlays, basic color correction.
Project: Edit a short vlog or reel.
✅ Photo
Learn Photoshop + Lightroom.
Practice: cropping, exposure, color correction, skin retouching.
Project: Edit 10 raw photos (before/after comparison).
✅ Audio
Learn Audacity (free) or Adobe Audition.
Practice: noise removal, trimming, volume balancing.
Project: Clean up an audio clip or podcast segment.
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Month 3–4: Intermediate Skills
✅ Video
Add music syncing, motion graphics (basic After Effects/Resolve Fusion).
Learn color grading (cinematic looks).
Project: Make a 2–3 min cinematic short video with background music.
✅ Photo
Advanced retouching (frequency separation, dodge & burn).
Creative edits (double exposure, composites).
Project: Create a poster or album cover design.
✅ Audio
Learn EQ, compression, and layering sounds.
Practice syncing audio with video.
Project: Add sound effects & background score to a short video.
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Month 5: Pro-Level Skills
✅ Video
Learn storytelling, pacing, and editing styles (montages, reels, cinematic).
Add subtitles, transitions, and advanced motion graphics.
Project: Re-create an ad, trailer, or YouTube-style video.
✅ Photo
Branding + aesthetics → create thumbnails, posters, Instagram edits.
Project: Build a mini portfolio of 15–20 polished edits.
✅ Audio
Sound design (create mood with effects & music).
Project: Mix audio for a short film clip or music remix.
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Month 6: Mastery & Portfolio
Combine all three skills into one big project:
🎬 Create a 3–5 min video → shoot/edit video, edit photos for thumbnails/poster, mix
audio & sound effects.
Share it on YouTube, Instagram, Behance, or Fiverr to start building clients.
Keep improving by re-creating edits from professionals you admire.
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🎯 Long-Term Growth
Start freelancing (Upwork, Fiverr, Instagram DMs, local businesses).
Follow editing channels on YouTube: Cinecom.net, Justin Odisho, Peter McKinnon.
Keep upgrading gear (good headphones, drawing tablet for photo editing, better
laptop).
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⚡ If you stick to this plan, in 6 months you’ll have strong editing skills + a
portfolio that can get you freelance work or even jobs in media.
👉 Do you want me to create a daily/weekly study-practice schedule for you so you
know exactly what to do each day?
