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Video and Film Editors Job Overview

Video and film editors work with motion picture or television shows. Out of a collection of shots they choose the best shot of each scene and combine the shots in sequence to create a smooth running and logical story. Video and film editors sometimes eliminate scenes they believe do not help the development of the plot. When choosing scenes for a film, editors strive to achieve the ideal combination of performance, photography, timing and consistency. While working with comedies, editors try to properly space scenes in order to prevent a funny situation from being lost in laughter from a previous funny incident. With the use of film editing equipment they also shorten film sections to specified lengths, insert dialogue, music and sound effects. Video and film editors evaluate the assembled film and make corrections.

Video and Film Editors Schools and Degrees

Many community colleges, vocational schools and universities provide training for video and film editors. The basic courses provide a review of equipment, techniques and processes. A bachelor's degree program, which includes classes in all the phases of filmmaking, is helpful for apprentice film editors. Film school is beneficial, however it is not a strict educational requirement for the occupation. Gaining work experience from a college film department is also beneficial. Obtaining a strong foundation with the various computer based editing equipment will increase a candidates job opportunities. Beginning video and film editors are provided with on-the-job training in all the standard editorial skills.

Job Requirements

Film and video editors need imagination, a good eye and creativity. They need good judgement and good communications skills. They also need the knowledge and skills to operate film editing equipment. Editors for feature films require the knowledge and skills to operate a Moviola which are used to edit films. They must have skills in using personal computers and special software in order to rearrange film sequences. Editors in the television industry need the skills required for the various types of electronic equipment utilized for videotape editing in the television industry. Most video and film editors are members of the Motion Picture and Videotape Editors Guild of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Editors in the television industry are usually affiliated with the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians.

Nature of Work

Editors work in projection rooms, cutting rooms and on shooting stages. Editors sometimes have to deal with pressure due to the need to meet deadlines. Most of the editing jobs are located Los Angeles. Some jobs are located in the larger metropolitan areas. The peak employment in the television industry is from July through February. Employment in the film industry varies considerably. Work for editors is often seasonal, however the industrial and educational film industries usually don't have seasonal work fluctuations. Typically, video and film editors work 40 to 60 hours a week.

Video and Film Editors Jobs and Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 12 percent employment growth for film and video editors from 2006 to 2016. The median annual earnings for film and video editors in 2006 was $46,670. The highest paid 10 percent earned over $110,720. The median annual earnings for editors working in only the motion picture and video industries in 2006 was $53,580. These industries provide the largest number of film and video editor jobs.

Job Numbers and Growth

There are an estimated 21,000 video and film editors nationally. Most recently, workers have experienced a high level of joblessness. An estimated 7% of employees did not have employment in 2008.

Area Job Conditions

Video and film editors -of-a-feather seem to flock to Boulder (Colorado), San Francisco (California), and New York (New York). They are less likely to be found around Milwaukee (Wisconsin), Fort Worth (Texas), and Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania).

Compensation of workers is best in Boston (Massachusetts), Denver (Colorado), and Nassau (New York), and much worse in Spokane (Washington), Rochester (New York), and Orlando (Florida).

Training and Education

Employees often find employers are looking for a bachelor's degree. Video and film editors, in 58% of cases, have bachelor's degree or higher. After high school, 29% of workers pursued some additional career education. Employees, in 13% of cases, had only a high school education. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

Video and film editors employed part-time are 19% of the total. Workers, in about 16% of cases, work for themselves.

Video And Film Editors by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

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