What Does A Film and Video Editor Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Film and Video Editors

Film and Video Editors edit 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.

Salary
$83880
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth
Low

Personality


What they do

Film and Video Editors edit 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.

  • 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.
  • Trim film segments to specified lengths and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect.
  • Determine the specific audio and visual effects and music necessary to complete films.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Film and Video Editors trim film segments to specified lengths and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect. They determine the specific audio and visual effects and music necessary to complete films.

A typical day for a Film and Video Editor will also include:

  • Supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in film editing, assembling, and recording activities.
  • Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product.
  • Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
  • Verify key numbers and time codes on materials.
  • Review assembled films or edited videotapes on screens or monitors to determine if corrections are necessary.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Film and Video Editors also conduct film screenings for directors and members of production staff. They may also review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Film and Video Editors study scripts to become familiar with production concepts and requirements. They might also record needed sounds or obtain them from sound effects libraries.

In addition, they program computerized graphic effects.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them 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.

To some Film and Video Editors, it is also their responsibility to confer with producers and directors concerning layout or editing approaches needed to increase the dramatic or entertainment value of productions.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Low

Is this job meaningful

Low

56% said they were satisfied with their job and 29% said they found their job meaningful.


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Pros

Suitable for people who like to work with designs.

Suitable for people who want independence and like to work on their own and make decisions.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$83880 per year

Average hourly wage

$40 per hour

Entry-level Film and Video Editors with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $34,870 to $47,240 per year or $17 to $23 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $152,720 $73
Senior (Top 25%) $100,830 $48
Median $67,250 $32
Junior (Bottom 25%) $47,240 $23
No experience (Bottom 10%) $34,870 $17

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Film and Video Editors based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Employment Services $96150 $46.23
Motion Picture and Video Industries $93610 $45.01
Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services $83230 $40.01
Management of Companies and Enterprises $75690 $36.39
Telecommunications $75340 $36.22
Spectator Sports $74160 $35.65
Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations $71920 $34.58
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods $71320 $34.29
Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events $71090 $34.18
Software Publishers $69680 $33.50

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Film and Video Editors work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Film and Video Editors including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Motion Picture and Video Industries 14100 $93610 $45.01
Radio and Television Broadcasting 2480 $62100 $29.86
Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services 920 $83230 $40.01
Other Information Services 640 $ $*
Cable and Other Subscription Programming 490 $ $*
Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 340 $69010 $33.18
Employment Services 330 $96150 $46.23
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools 310 $53250 $25.60
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services 300 $67030 $32.23
Computer Systems Design and Related Services 220 $48720 $23.42

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
0%

40 hours
62%

More than 40 hours
38%

Working schedule

97%

3%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
0%

Every day
100%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
31%

Every day
58%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
6%

Every day
92%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
33%

Once a year
37%

Once a month
19%

Once a week
0%

Every day
11%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
6%

Slightly competitive
7%

Moderately competitive
36%

Highly competitive
26%

Extremely competitive
26%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
0%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
1%

Every day
98%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
48%

Once a year or more
30%

Once a month or more
18%

Once a week or more
3%

Every day
0%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
26%

Once a year or more
47%

Once a month or more
24%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
3%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
43%

Once a year or more
47%

Once a month or more
6%

Once a week or more
3%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Hard
You will need a considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Careers in this difficulty category usually require a Bachelor’s degree and several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. Similar careers include Database Administrators, Chemists, Art Directors, and Accountants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
0%

High School Diploma or equivalent
16%

Post-Secondary Certificate
0%

Some College Courses
1%

Associate’s Degree or similar
17%

Bachelor’s Degree
65%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
1%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Cinematography and Film/Video Production

A program that prepares individuals to communicate dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the making and producing of films and videos. Includes instruction in theory of film, film technology and equipment operation, film production, film directing, film editing, cinematographic art, film audio, techniques for making specific types of films and/or videos, media technologies, computer image making, multi-media production, and the planning and management of film/video operations.

Documentary Production

A program that prepares individuals to produce nonfiction film and video. Includes instruction in film and video writing, directing, and production; film studies; history of the documentary; research techniques; videography; editing; and business aspects of film production.


Radio and Television

A program that focuses on the theories, methods, and techniques used to plan, produce, and distribute audio and video programs and messages, and that prepares individuals to function as staff, producers, directors, and managers of radio and television shows and media organizations. Includes instruction in media aesthetics; planning, scheduling, and production; writing and editing; performing and directing; personnel and facilities management; marketing and distribution; media regulations, law, and policy; and principles of broadcast technology.

Communications Technology

A program that generally prepares individuals to function as workers and managers within communications industries. Includes instruction in business economics; basic management; principles of interpersonal and mediated communications; radio, television, and digital media production; and related aspects of technology and communications systems.

Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology

A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the production of radio and television programs, and related operations, under the supervision of broadcast and studio managers, directors, editors, and producers. Includes instruction in sound, lighting, and camera operation and maintenance; power and feed control; studio operations; production preparation; broadcast engineering; related computer applications; and specialized applications such as news, entertainment, live talk, sports, commercials, and taping.


Photojournalism

A program that focuses on the use of still and motion photography in journalism and prepares individuals to function as news photographers and photographic editors. Includes instruction in photography, journalism, studio procedures and techniques, camera and equipment operation and technique, news editing, print and film editing, news scene composition, subject surveillance, media law and policy, news team field operations, and professional standards and ethics.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
0%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
19%

6 months to 1 year
14%

1 to 2 years
1%

2 to 4 years
24%

4 to 6 years
34%

6 to 8 years
9%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
22%

1 month
7%

1 to 3 months
56%

3 to 6 months
2%

6 months to 1 year
1%

1 to 2 years
7%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 10 years
4%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Artist

People with this personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.

The Builder
38%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
52%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
95%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
24%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
52%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
33%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with forms, designs, and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

They also like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
71%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
64%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
71%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
38%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
38%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
76%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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