Video Editing

Video Editing Career Overview

Video editors work with directors to edit filmed material, arrange shots and sequences, cut excessive footage, and insert optical, sound, or musical effects. Due to the rise in digital technology, most video editors use computer software for their work.

Many editors have internships or apprenticeships with senior editors, which helps with the professional networking along with providing on-the-job training. Prospective video editors should expect extended periods of stress and pressure as the motion picture and video industries can be extremely competitive. Additionally, it is necessary to be able to take direction from others, as video editors must work closely with directors while editing material.

Video editors typically work in the film industry editing movies to be shown in theaters, or editing television films. They also produce documentaries, educational films, and industrial films.

Video Editing Career Training & Education

Though some positions may require an associate or bachelor’s degree, most video editors do not find this formal training necessary when seeking a job. Rather, many editors get their professional skills from hands-on training as an intern or apprentice, climbing the ladder through contacts made while in these positions.

Despite this, it helps enormously for networking purposes and to gain up-to-date information on the latest editing technology to get some sort of formal, post-secondary education. Most reputable film schools also set students up with excellent internships in their third and fourth years. These types of experiences can be hugely beneficial when applying for a job after graduation.

Film-making programs are offered at schools such as the University of California at Los Angeles, the University of Miami in Florida, the University of Southern California, and New York University. Whether editors choose formal education, on-the-job training, or a combination of both, they will learn to use critical equipment such as film projectors as well as digital editing systems. An interest in art and photography is also vital, as is an understanding of camera and digital technology.

Video Editor Career & Salary Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job prospects in the digital filming and computer-generated imaging sectors of the motion picture and video industries are positive, though the industry as a whole is expected to grow only 11 percent between 2006 and 2016. However, the BLS notes that film and video editors will have some of the best job prospects in the coming decade.

In May 2006, film and video editors in the motion picture and video industries had median hourly earnings of $25.76, with median hourly earnings of $22.44 in all industries.

Video Editor Career Fields & Specializations

Two types of video editing careers exist:

1. Theatrical, or the editing of films shown in movie theaters.
2. Non-theatrical, or the editing of film for television companies as well as companies that produce documentaries, educational films, and industrial films. Three-quarters of non-theatrical film editors produce material for television.

Video editors work for local affiliate stations of television networks, while others work at larger cable and television networks, independent television stations, or small independent production companies. They can also work in academia as professors, at movie studios, or on a freelance basis.

Article Resources: