Entertainment

How To Get Job As a Video And Film Editor

Video and Film Editors work as part of a team, which may include special effects editors, music editors,other editors, clients, and directors.

Video and film Editors work in cutting rooms, projection rooms, and shooting stages.  Their work environment is well lit and well ventilated.  Due to the nature of those involved in the business, deadlines, and the high costs of production, the work may be both demanding and stressful.  Although Editors may work regular hours, some very long days may be involved.  The job at hand, and deadline demands, often determine the hours of employment.

If you get a job as a Video and Film Editor, you may work on both short and long term projects for; cable networks,  television stations,  motion picture studios, and other independent production agencies.  You may work on editing such things as; sporting events, feature films, news broadcasts, television programs, advertising videos, training videos, public service videos, and music videos.  Many Video and film Editors work freelance.

In the past, Video and Film Editors actually cut film and taped pieces in place.  Today, editors use digital technology to achieve and surpass the same effects.

Because they deal with a variety of individuals, successful Video and Film Editors must have excellent people skills.  They must also be creative, patient, detail oriented, skilled with computers, and have good eyesight and excellent eye-hand coordination.  If you wish to become a Video and film Editor, you must be able to take direction, and be willing to constantly update your knowledge to keep up with evolving technology.  Editors must be able to sit for long periods of time.

The job of Video and Film Editors is to take, what the camera sees, and work it into a final product to entertain, instruct, tell a story,  or merely record.  The final product must meet with the approval of both the director, and the client.

The Editors start with a series of still or moving shots taken by one or several cameras.  They must assemble these into a logical sequence, depending on the purpose of the final product.  This will involve evaluating each shot and deciding on what should be emphasized, eliminated, lengthened shortened, close-up, or distant.  Both Video and Film Editors must then assemble a ‘rough cut’, into which may be incorporated special effects, dialogue, music, graphics, and sound effects.  This product is presented to the director for approval, and will be re-edited as necessary.  All this work must be done within a given time frame and budgetary limitations.

Education

If you wish to become a Video and Film Editor today, you must get  some post-secondary education, preferably a Bachelor’s Degree.

While you are still a student, get involved in High School and College productions.  Get experience, whether paid or volunteer, in all aspects of the trade.  If you are willing to work for free, you are sure to be welcomed into the industry.

Training programs in cinematography, production techniques, and editing, are available in Universities, Colleges, Trade Schools, and Film Schools.  Get the best, most rounded education you can afford.  Read, learn, and practice, until you are the best that you can be.

Once employed, you will receive further on-the-job-training before you can work independently.

Many of those, who first become Film and Video Editors, with sufficient experience, advance to become Directors and educators.