Video Editor
Skills:
work independently |
systematic |
expressive |
organised |
problem solver |
desk based |
irregular hours |
Experience:
intermediate |
senior |
Business Types:
broadcast |
film |
digital |
What You'll Get?
Contract
Mostly freelance work with some staff roles at established post-production houses.
Larger companies may offer a benefit scheme, but this would depend on individual cases.
Hours
10hr workdays, upwards of 4 shifts per week dependent upon production
Annual leave for salaried positions would be in line with the average (20-25 days).
Salary
From £30k+ if salaried, depending on field or broadcaster and experience.
Freelance rates upwards of £350 per day, with huge variation depending on the production.
What Would You Do?
As an editor you are responsible for interpreting a client’s vision, tailoring, and enhancing their ideas within the confines of a realistic timeframe and level of resource. Editors will often report to a lead editor or lead creative from the production team. Your day will consist partly of working in small groups, partly unsupervised individual work, and sometimes as a part of a larger team. This means that interpersonal skills are equally weighted with technical know-how and creativity. You will be responsible for delivering high-end content across a variety of platforms, ensuring that all technical broadcast specifications are met. Your role will require you to edit a range of short or long form content, whether as part of a series or an isolated ‘VT’. Editing is a rare blend of technical ability and creativity, which can be very rewarding both personally and financially.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
Execute various editing tasks to a high standard, with care and attention to both audio and visual elements.
Work under time pressure, being able to communicate clearly when editing to deadlines.
Anticipate and intervene when edit related problems arise.
Understand the technical delivery requirements across a range of outputs.
What You'll Need?
Skills and abilities:
A full technical and operational understanding of editing systems such as Avid Media Composer and/or Premiere Pro.
A comprehensive understanding of various post-production workflows.
Ability to use video and audio plug-ins, multi-camera editing and syncing to produce creative and varied edits.
Be an invaluable colleague, having the ability to work independently as well as part of team.
There is no requirement to have a university degree for this role, so you can either train at college or university, or begin through work experience and entry level positions that help you to learn on the job.
What Can You Achieve?
Regular network TV credits and a steady stream of high-profile creative projects would be considered an achievable goal; however, some will prefer to focus on commercials where the ‘on air’ time is dramatically shorter, but the prestige and budgets are usually much higher. Film and documentary editors work for many months on one project, which takes a huge amount of emotional and intellectual investment and will often be targeted for much-coveted industry awards.
Where Do These Jobs Exist?
Television, commercial, and film companies hire editors directly, as well as via post production houses. Corporate work for brands and businesses make up a lot of the market and can have the most financial benefit.
How To Apply?
Occasionally, salaried roles are externally advertised, and for these you may be expected to carry out editing tasks under time pressure, as well as doing an interview.
There is a large freelance market for editors, who can make up to £450 a day for broadcast TV work, depending on the project. If you want to work as a freelance editor, you’ll need to build your network of contacts and create a good showreel to demonstrate your skills. You’re unlikely to be interviewed for freelance work and you’ll be expected to get straight to work.
What Else Can You Do?
Many editors start as runners within post-production facilities, gaining technical and practical skills along the way. Entry-level roles are often accessed through cold calling, shadowing opportunities, work experience, networking and email communication. Runner positions may be advertised online, however there is usually an onus on being a motivated ‘self-starter’ who researches and makes initial contact with companies without waiting for specific roles to be published. Since editing software is much cheaper and more readily available than in previous decades, there are now many more editors learning their skills independently and going into editing roles directly.
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