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

ABOUT FILM OR VIDEO EDITOR CAREERS

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT Expand
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....
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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 Expand
Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images.
Leadership
HIGH
Critical decision making
HIGH
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
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DAILY TASKS Expand
Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product.
Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story.
Review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product.
Record needed sounds, or obtain them from sound effects libraries.
Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment.
Trim film segments to specified lengths, and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect.
Review assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary.
Determine the specific audio and visual effects and music necessary to complete films.
Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
Mark frames where a particular shot or piece of sound is to begin or end.
Confer with producers and directors concerning layout or editing approaches needed to increase dramatic or entertainment value of productions.
MAIN ACTIVITIES Expand
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.
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.
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.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE Expand
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.
Computers and Electronics Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Production and Processing Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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.
Fine Arts Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Telecommunications Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
KEY ABILITIES Expand
Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Speech Clarity The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Information Ordering The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Written Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Fluency of Ideas The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
TOP SKILLS Expand
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.
Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Time Management Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Judgment and Decision Making Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Writing Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Learning Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.