Careers Gone Wild - Explore the Career Kingdom

Explore the Career Kingdom:


Film and Video Editors

Edit motion picture soundtracks, film, and video.

Other names for Film and Video Editors: Commercial Producer, Cue Selector, Director, Editor, Electronic News Gathering Editor (ENG Editor), Film Editor Supervisor, Film or Videotape Editor, Graphic Artist, Graphic Engineer, Movie Editor, Multimedia Artist, News Editor, News Video Editor, News Videotape Editor, Non-Linear Editor, Optical Effects Layout Person, Producer, Production Manager, Sound Cutter, Special Effects Designer, Supervising Film or Videotape Editor, Tape Editor, Television News Video Editor, Video Editor, Video Tape Duplicator, Video Tape Transferrer, Videographer,

What do Film and Video Editors do?

  • Cut shot sequences to different angles at specific points in scenes, making each individual cut as fluid and seamless as possible.
  • Study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements.
  • Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment.
  • Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story.
  • Mark frames where a particular shot or piece of sound is to begin or end.
  • Determine the specific audio and visual effects and music necessary to complete films.
  • Verify key numbers and time codes on materials.
  • Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
  • Review assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary.
  • Program computerized graphic effects.
  • Review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product.
  • Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product.
  • Record needed sounds, or obtain them from sound effects libraries.
  • Confer with producers and directors concerning layout or editing approaches needed to increase dramatic or entertainment value of productions.
  • 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.
  • Supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in film editing, assembling, and recording activities.
  • Trim film segments to specified lengths, and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect.
  • Develop post-production models for films.
  • Piece sounds together to develop film soundtracks.
  • Conduct film screenings for directors and members of production staffs.
  • Collaborate with music editors to select appropriate passages of music and develop production scores.
  • Discuss the sound requirements of pictures with sound effects editors.
  • Estimate how long audiences watching comedies will laugh at each gag line or situation, to space scenes appropriately.

Do you enjoy these?

  • Media control systems
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital video disk players or recorders
  • Video editors
  • Notebook computers
  • Personal computers
  • Network routers
  • Media control systems
  • Video streaming system

Technology used

  • Music or sound editing software
  • Graphics or photo imaging software
  • Video creation and editing software
  • Word processing software
  • Presentation software
  • Web page creation and editing software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Development environment software
  • Web platform development software
  • Internet browser software
  • Filesystem software