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What They Do

Film and Video Editors Career Video

About This Career

Edits 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.

This career is part of the Arts, Audio-Video Technology and Communications cluster Performing Arts pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Organizes and strings together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
  • Edits films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment.
  • Selects and combines the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story.
  • Reviews footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product.
  • Sets up and operates computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product.
  • Trims film segments to specified lengths and reassembles segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect.
  • Reviews assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary.
  • Cuts shot sequences to different angles at specific points in scenes, making each individual cut as fluid and seamless as possible.
  • Verifies key numbers and time codes on materials.
  • Manipulates 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.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Irregular hours

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Editor — Reviews, evaluates and edits manuscripts, articles, news reports and other material for publication, broadcast or interactive media and coordinates the activities of writers, journalists and other staff.
  • News Editor — Responsible for assigning articles to other journalists and overseeing their publication.
  • News Video Editor
  • News Videotape Editor
  • Non-Linear Editor
  • Online Editor — Takes the edit that has been completed by the offline editor and then reconnects the footage to the full quality video file, bringing the full size footage online.
  • Television News Video Editor
  • Tape Editor