Film and Video Editors

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Also known as:
Cue Selector, Electronic News Gathering Editor, Film Editor, Movie Editor, News Video Editor, News Videotape Editor, Tape Editor, Television News Video Editor, Video Tape Transferrer

See all Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications Careers.

ABOUT FILM AND VIDEO EDITOR CAREERS

Video transcript

Between the camera and the audience comes a very important job. Film and video editors edit soundtracks, film and video for the motion picture, cable and broadcast television industries. They select the scenes captured by the camera operator and put them in a sequence. It sounds simple - it isn't.

In addition to creativity, a thorough understanding of what needs to be communicated drives each decision. And there are so many decisions: Should a scene be paced quickly with many fast cuts? Or would slow shots add more drama? Would the close-up work better here, or the wide-angle shot?

Usually, the editor does not make these decisions alone. Working with a team of people ranging from the director to the client often requires patience. Tight deadlines in news or artistic temperament of co-workers can make this a very stressful job.

Film and TV courses in college or career schools can help enormously. And because this is a job that unites artistry with highly technical skill, schools often have professional equipment. However, because the technology is constantly evolving, it's necessary to continually update your skills with additional training. Once, editors worked with just scissors and tape. Now computers are used. But the goal of the editor is the same as it has been since motion pictures were invented - to tell a story, scene by scene.

SNAPSHOT

Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May work with a producer or director to organize images for final production. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images.

Leadership	MED
Critical decision making	LOW
Level of responsibilities	LOW
Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines	HIGH
Dealing and handling conflict	LOW

Competition for this position	HIGH
Communication with others	HIGH
Work closely with team members, clients etc.	HIGH
Comfort of the work setting	HIGH
Exposure to extreme environmental conditions	LOW
Exposure to job hazards	LOW
Physical demands	LOW

Daily tasks

Study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements.

Supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in film editing, assembling, and recording activities.

Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product.

Trim film segments to specified lengths and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect.

Manipulate plot, score, sound, and graphics to make the parts into a continuous whole, working closely with people in audio, visual, music, optical, or special effects departments.

Review assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary.

Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment.

Review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product.

Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story.

Cut shot sequences to different angles at specific points in scenes, making each individual cut as fluid and seamless as possible.

Verify key numbers and time codes on materials.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

Interacting With Computers	Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Thinking Creatively	Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Getting Information	Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Documenting/Recording Information	Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE

Communications and Media	Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Computers and Electronics	Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Telecommunications	Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Fine Arts	Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Production and Processing	Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Engineering and Technology	Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

TOP SKILLS

Active Listening	Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Complex Problem Solving	Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Learning	Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Writing	Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Judgment and Decision Making	Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.